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Gary Barlow is ours! Made honorary Yorkshireman during surprise appearance at tourism awards

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Is it Gary Barlow? ’Appen so. Take That singer is a hit at the White Rose Awards. Photographs: Welcome to Yorkshire / Simon Dewhurst

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.

The two Garys, Barlow and Verity, join with Tim Firth in front of a small Yorkshire Rose
The two Garys, Barlow and Verity, join with Tim Firth in front of a small Yorkshire Rose

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:

This is amazing.

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

Now they're ours… honorary Yorkshiremen Tim and Gary
Now they’re ours… honorary Yorkshiremen Tim and Gary

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:

What a night! To have one of the world’s biggest pop icons walk onto the stage at the White Rose Awards was an incredible moment and such a buzz for all the finalists who are here to celebrate the best of Yorkshire tourism.