Who was selected by Gary Barlow?

Zoe Birkett says Gary Barlow picked her for a huge Take That role

Zoe Birkett says she experienced a “pinch me moment” after landing a major role with Take That.

Birkett, who is currently on the road with the band, credited the opportunity to a personal selection from Gary Barlow—specifically saying she couldn’t believe he had chosen her. The story frames the moment as both emotional and surreal, because meeting or being chosen by musical idols can feel especially intense when you’ve built your ambitions around their work.

Why it matters

Take That remains one of the UK’s biggest pop acts, and roles connected to their touring or stage projects can be career-defining. A direct hand from a frontman like Barlow suggests Birkett’s casting wasn’t just routine scheduling—it reads as a notable vote of confidence.

For fans, this also reshapes what they might expect from the live experience: it adds a personal narrative behind the on-stage lineup and makes Birkett’s presence feel like part of the band’s current chapter.

Overall, the development matters because it links mainstream pop power (Take That and Barlow) with an emerging performer, turning a high-profile gig into a headline-worthy career milestone.