Gary Barlow’s emotional 40th birthday

Gary Barlow was serenaded by a crowd wearing masks of his own face during his “emotional” 40th birthday concert last night (20.01.11).

The star was joined onstage by Coldplay singer Chris Martin, as well as his Take That co-stars Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald during the charity show, to celebrate turning the landmark age, in London.

His bandmates took to the stage and sung ‘Happy Birthday’, then made Gary close his eyes while the 2,000 strong crowd put the masks on sung along with them to the band’s hit ‘Shine’.

Jason quipped: "I've always known what it's like to be a bandmate. But now I'm a fan, mate! I've been watching up there and mate you're really good! Someone should sign him up.”

Gary also received birthday video messages from Elton John and Robbie Williams – who recently rejoined Take That to record last album ‘The Flood’ and will tour with them this summer, but had commitments in Los Angeles preventing him from being in London.

He said: “I'm really looking forward to seeing you, I miss you.”

He then added, jokingly: “And just want to put your mind at ease about the tour – I know you're worried about my mental health. Well, I'm on meds, everything is fine, everything will be really cool. Love you loads."

The show saw Gary sing hits from across his career with Take That as well as a solo artist, including 'Greatest Day', 'Like I Never Loved You At All', 'Sunday to Saturday' and 'Wondering', and he admitted preparing the show had been an emotional rollercoaster.

Introducing a track dedicated to his parents, he said: “I tell you what, rehearsing for this gig has been quite emotional.

“Singing some of these songs which I haven't even heard for years and years. There was one song, it took me about two weeks to get to the end of it. 'Nobody Else'. I wrote it for my mum and dad.”

After introducing Chris as “front-man of my favourite band” and singing a version of ‘Back For Good’ Gary said: “Chris, God bless you mate. God bless him. He's so shy. Thank you mate that was absolutely awesome.”