Gary Barlow surprised a mum on her 40th birthday – after she tweeted him around 40 times a day.
The Take That frontman serenaded superfan Jo Chapman with a performance of the group’s hit ‘Greatest Day’ after turning up at her special bash in Maidstone, Kent, south east England, and she was "in shock" when she saw the 45-year-old star.
She told Kent Online: "When he walked through the door I just thought, ‘Oh my God.’ I couldn’t believe it. I just screamed like a lunatic and ran over to him.
"I was surprised I was still conscious. It was just unbelievable, I’m still in shock."
Jo started a campaign to get Gary to her birthday party months before the event, including putting posters up on lampposts, in her car and on friends’ windows.
Her pal Suzi Cooper was then contacted by a member of Gary’s team around three weeks before her birthday bash to arrange his appearance and she managed to keep it a secret from Jo.
Jo added: "Some people that saw it online thought it was a wind up and that it was an impersonator, so I had to show them a tweet Gary had sent me afterwards to prove it.
"Never in a million years did I think he’d actually come. The DJ played my favourite Take That song Everything Changes and when that finished I thought, ‘Well that’s it now.’
"Then Greatest Day started and I saw him. It’s still sinking in that I met him."
Gary tweeted after the bash: "First mile stone birthday has happened ! Happy bday lovely Jo ! Xx (sic)"
Jo shared a picture of herself and Gary after the party, and tweeted: "I haven’t even begun to process this yet! Words can’t express how i feel!I love you (sic)"
Gary Barlow surprises superfan on 40th birthday
