Gary Barlow visits troops in Afghanistan

Take That star and X-Factor judge Gary Barlow has visited British military personnel on operations in Camp Bastion this week.

Barlow spent a 3 days with sailors, soldiers and airmen, both regular and reservist, experiencing life on the base while filming a musical concert for broadcast later this year.

During his visit, Barlow met of British personnel who are serving on Operation Herrick 19, signing autographs and posing for photos and messages for loved ones in the UK.

Senior Aircraftman Danny Bedford met Gary Barlow at his office at Camp Bastion’s fire station after his team posted a welcome sign:

“We put a sign up to invite him to say hello and it was great that someone as famous as him made time to come here,” he said. “He’s been really friendly and it’s a nice change of scene to have someone like him here.”

Barlow Said: “It’s been amazing and inspiring; something I’ve been wanting to do for a couple of years now. I can’t believe we have actually done it and achieved it. It’s a memory that will stay with me forever.

“It’s been a privilege being here and meeting people who are serving so far from the UK.”

Camp Bastion is the main British Base in Afghanistan and was the target of a devastating attack last September when 15 heavily armed Taliban soldiers entered the base past an empty watch-tower.

Two U.S marines were killed, 16 soldiers were injured and almost a whole platoon of harrier jets worth several million was destroyed in the attack.

Although security has been tightened Camp Bastion is still under constant threat of attack from insurgents.