She found fame in the early noughties, and now she’s winning an army of new fans in Take That’s spectacular Circus Live tour which is going live on Amazon tonight
Among the fantastic acrobats, trapeze artists and tight-rope walkers on Take That’s spectacular Circus Live tour, there’s also a famous singer joining Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald on stage. The Circus is back in Manchester this weekend, and on Saturday night is being streamed live across the world on Amazon Music too.
The Take That show is back on the road and wowing fans with an even more spectacular reboot than the 2009 original. And among the many surprises and updates this time around includes the star guest who appears in the opening and also at the finale of the show.
The show all starts with the Greatest Day as Take That‘s trio appear on stage beneath a giant balloon. But keep your eyes peeled as the glamorous Ringmaster is also a very familiar face.
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For it’s none other than former Pop Idol star and West End favourite Zoe Birkett. Zoe first found fame as she chased her dream of pop stardom on the short lived ITV reality talent show and went on to make the finals.
In more recent times she has become an acclaimed West End star, winning plaudits for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the musical about the icon in 2024.
Zoe is seen at the start of the Take That show, and then you cannot fail to miss her at the spectacular finale. A giant spooky Circus Ringmaster puppet emerges onto stage, laughing as bursts of flames emerge.
The ‘Ringmaster’ booms out a message to fans saying: “Ladies and Gentleman, for your entertainment the circus is filled with thrills and death-defying feats… The greatest show on earth some would say.”
The voice deepens as it talks of another side to the Circus, the “dark side” and letting the “fire burn within you”. The puppet then begins to sing out: “Keep the fire burning” as the familiar strains of Relight My Fire ring out and the full cast of performers head out onto the stage.
And believe it or not, the face and voice of that spectacular puppet is Zoe. She has been joining the band on stage each night of the tour to sing the famous “Lulu bit” of Relight My Fire.
But many fans may not have realised until now that she was behind the booming voice and spooky face that comes alive on the puppet.
Zoe, confirmed the news to delighted fans earlier this month by sharing a video of her voicing the giant puppet on social media. She wrote on Facebook: “I don’t just sing it….. Face and voice of the biggest puppet this summer.”
Fans say they’ve been “blown away” by Zoe’s starring moment in the show. Zoe, 40, is originally from County Durham, and has been appearing at all the Take That shows on the ongoing UK tour.
Linda Cook wrote: “Relight my fire blew me away!! It’s AWESOME!! You are epic Zoe.”
Rachel Bell said: “You were awesome! We thought it was you and you blew us away. Loved you since Get Happy!”
Susan Kemp added: “Best part of the show for me! Zoe Birkett you were amazing!”
Take That play the Etihad Stadium onSaturday June 20 and Sunday June 21, before returning again on the final night of the UK dates on Wednesday, July 1.
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