Take That superstar Gary Barlow toasted his success as a winemaker with an intimate and exclusive event in Manchester and a surprise live gig. Gary shared "big news" with his invited audience of fans that he has now sold a MILLION bottles of his Gary Barlow wines, a project he only started during lockdown as a bit of fun with friends.
Gary took out the top floor of Harvey Nichols in Manchester to host the event on Tuesday night, with guests including style queen Coleen Rooney and former Man United star Phil Jones and his wife Kaya. After mingling with the crowds who were testing his newest wines, Gary then surprised fans with an acoustic set of Take That's hits.
That included a special version of Shine - in which he changed the lyrics to encourage everyone to sing "Drink Some Wine" instead of "Let it Shine".
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Gary had much to celebrate on the night - fresh from Take That's triumphant Hyde Park gig at the weekend. For away from music, Gary is enjoying huge success with his own-named wine brand.
He revealed on the night that he has now sold his MILLIONTH bottle of wine. And in Manchester he showcased two new varieties of his organic wines- a blush rose and sauvignon blanc that guests got to sample.
Gary introduced his friend and wine partner Paul to the crowd and explained how the wine business first started. He said: "We were both very bored in lockdown I imagined this initially to be something that we taste some wine, we chat on zoom and I give about 20 bottles out to my mates.
"I can't believe that we are standing here tonight having sold our millionth bottle of wine."
Paul added: "Gary is very humble, he's done an incredible job with the wines. All of these wines have been blended by Gary.
"The wines you're trying tonight Gary blended in South Africa, they are all organic. And I want to announce tonight that Gary's wines are now the biggest selling organic brand in the UK."
Gary was in buoyant mood at the event, telling guests: "You all look absolutely bloody gorgeous the lot of you you really do - ladies and gents." He said that he simply had to do an event back up north on home turf after a similar party in London.
He said: "We did our first event at Harvey Nicks in London, and we were slagged off so much from the Manchester brand that we had to come up here and do a little event up here as well." He added of the party organised by Julie Perry Events: "And haven't they done a brilliant job."
Fans were in heaven as Gary performed acoustic versions of some of Take That's biggest hits on the night. It included a huge singalong to Back for Good, as well as the alternate version of Shine with the "Drink Wine" lyrics.
Gary said: "This first song is called Wine... actually no it's called Shine." But he then added "You have to sing "Drink some Wine" so let's get to the chorus".
Fans dutifully followed the lyric change - holding their glasses of Gary's vino aloft to toast the music man. He then encouraged guests to enjoy the rest of the night, joking: "drink up it's all free" at the soiree.
The full range of Gary Barlow wines are all now available to buy at Harvey Nichols in Manchester, and are also available at retailers across the UK.
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