Excitement is already building ahead of the opening show of The Circus Live Tour, with around 25 to 30 tents pitched and supporters facing a wait of more than 24 hours in total.

The chart-topping trio – now made up of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen – will play two shows at St Mary’s this weekend at the start of a nationwide tour.

Barriers are being put up around the ground to prepare for large queues, while booming speakers and production equipment could be heard during sound checks inside the stadium.

The committed fans faced a wait of more than 24 hours in total since pitching up.

Around 30 tents have been erected outside the football ground (Image: NQ)

Among those camping outside the stadium were Alicia Clayton-Hewitt and her mum Lisa, 45, who travelled from Kent for the concert.

Lisa even cut short a holiday in Marrakesh to make sure she did not miss the show.

Mum and daughter, Lisa & Alicia Clayton-Hewitt (Image: NQ)

Alicia said: “Mum has been a Take That fan all her life and I am just the same. This is the only tour I have ever missed so it was so important that we got here.

“My first concert was the comeback tour. We love it. It’s become a real bonding experience for me and mum because it’s something we love doing together, and camping out before the show is all part of the fun.”

Lisa added: “I flew back into the country this morning from my holiday in Marrakesh – that’s how special Take That are to us.

“Alicia picked me up from Gatwick and we came straight here.

“I have been to every Take That concert since 1993. You don’t even have to like Take That – it’s the type of concert where you can bring your husband or your family and everyone will have such a good time. It’s a spectacle.”

Fans Laura King, Sarah Selwyn, Clare Paddon and Michelle Scammell were also among a group of nine friends reunited through years of attending Take That concerts together.

Fans Laura King, Sarah Selwyn, Clare Paddon and Michelle Scammell (Image: NQ)

Laura said: “We all live across the West Country and love going to Take That and Robbie Williams concerts.

“We’ve had lots of different experiences camping before shows – sometimes we’ve woken up next to rabbits and sometimes cigarette butts.”

Michelle added: “Take That music is really for everyone. We’ve seen children and grandparents at the shows and that’s what makes them so special.”