Gary Barlow is ours! Made honorary Yorkshireman during surprise appearance at tourism awards
By ’eck, its only Gary Barlow from t’Take That…
Singing superstar Gary was made an honorary Yorkshireman on Monday night (November 9) after making a surprise appearance at the region’s White Rose Awards.
Gary, who is from Cheshire, received the award alongside Tim Firth, his co-writer of a new musical The Girls.
The musical tells the story of the Calendar Girls, the North Yorkshire women who made a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia Research – and created a legend.
Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, presented the Honorary Yorkshiremen awards at the White Rose Awards in Leeds.
Altogether there were 17 people, places and events from York that were up for gongs in the awards which honour the very best tourism businesses in Yorkshire.
Watched by the original Calendar Girls, Gary Barlow told the audience:
I’ve got many awards but believe me this is going right in the middle of them.
The reaction here tonight shows why we’re here.
I’ve always played to great audiences here in Yorkshire and I’m hoping for that for the show.
Tim Firth added: “As the son of a man from Doncaster and Leeds United supporter this is a very proud night for me.”
Incredible moment
Guests at the White Rose Awards include Lizzie Jones, the widow of rugby league star Danny Jones, Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos players as well as stars from Emmerdale and World Championship silver medal winning Leeds gymnast Nile Wilson.
Sir Gary Verity said: