‘You never stop being a fan just because you get older’
Take That has a ‘super fan nan’ who has never missed a tour in ten years
A 93-year-old Take That-obsessed grandma who has not missed a tour in ten years has been lovingly named by fans as a ‘super fan gran’.
Ten years ago, on May 25, 2015, Joyce Fairburn was able to go to her first Take That concert having loved the band since they emerged onto the scene in the early 90s – thanks to granddaughter Amanda Laycock’s Take That cassettes and VHS collection.
“Grandma moved in with us when my grandad died and Take That were just a constant happiness in the house,” Amanda explains of that time. “I’d come home from school and she’d be playing their music. I was able to grow up with the band, and was able to enjoy them with my grandma – and we’ve never stopped loving them ever since!”
Thanks to the community of ‘Thatters’ – as Take That fans are affectionately known – she was even able to meet the boys backstage in Manchester before the show. Since that evening, Joyce has gone to every single Take That tour, as well as each of Gary Barlow’s solo tours.
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Joyce has never missed a Take That or Gary Barlow tour in ten years
She might have even been able to go to see the band a little bit earlier than 2015 if it weren’t for daughter Jillian Laycock. “I couldn’t get tickets to see them on one of the tours in the 90s,” Jillian explains. “And she has previously said she liked Marti Pellow’s voice, so I got her tickets to see Wet Wet Wet instead.
“But I didn’t tell her until they came out on stage, she just looked at me in absolute disgust and said to me ‘I have been practicing Take That’s new album for months!’ Obviously, she does like Wet Wet Wet too but she had just been expecting to see Take That.”
Joyce’s ten-year stretch of seeing the band in Manchester and near her hometown of Halifax came six years after the band toured the country with their Circus tour. Only being able to watch the show on DVD, Joyce said it was a spectacular show that she wishes she was able to have seen in-person.
Take That performed The Circus tour in 2009 – and it’s coming back next year after 16 years(Image: Getty Images)
“I just like everything about the show,” Joyce says. “It’s just so different from their other tours and there are just so many special things about it.”
Thankfully, Joyce’s dreams were able to potentially become a reality last week when Gary, Mark and Howard announced they would be bringing The Circus back with a new show next year – including four nights at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester in June and July.
And of course, Joyce will be in attendance. And she’s not going just once, either. She has tickets to the first two shows in Manchester with Amanda. It’ll even form part of an early birthday present for Joyce as she’ll celebrate her 94th birthday a month later.
Speaking about being able to meet Take That ten years ago, Joyce said: “It was a very special moment, I felt like I was on cloud nine. I love them all – but especially Gary. They are just such lovely men, we ended up speaking to them for about half an hour, they were so kind. They still had their slippers on!”
Joyce gets a birthday pie from H.E. Coward in Frodsham, which is a bakery loved by Gary, every year(Image: H.E. Coward)
In fact, Joyce is such a fan of the band, and Gary in particular, that she now gets a birthday pie each year from one of his favourite bakeries. The pie even features the words ‘Super fan nan’ alongside a picture of Gary’s face (“and his body!,” Joyce adds). She has also become friendly with the band’s security guards too.
But, Amanda and Joyce say they have also gained some life-long friends with their fellow ‘Thatters’. They celebrate birthdays together and meet up around each of the tours when they can.
“We have made so many friends through our love of Take That,” Amanda explains. “The concerts are a way that we can share our special bond together and with our fellow Thatters and create memories to last a lifetime.”
Amanda also said that the process of securing an accessible ticket for Joyce has thankfully always been an easy procedure for them. And, having secured tickets to the Etihad Stadium next June, the same can be said this time round too.
Take That’s ‘super fan gran’ Joyce has always wished to have been able to see The Circus tour(Image: Getty Images)
“I must say how exceptional they have been,” Amanda said. “Lauren, who is part of the accessibility team, looked after us from start to finish. She was amazing, really helpful, supportive and caring to understand the requirements that someone who needs accessible tickets.”
Asked how it feels to be lovingly known as fans and to the band as ‘super fan nan’, Joyce, who said she is most excited to hear the band perform Rule The World, says she is happy to take on the namesake. “You never stop being a fan just because you get older,” she explains.
Joyce and Amanda have already now begun thinking about what outfits they will wear for the two shows next year – possibly taking inspiration with some cloud and ringmaster-inspired jumpers.
Take That has a ‘super fan nan’ who has never missed a tour in ten years
“I know we are lucky to even be able to see them once on this tour, but it’s going to be so special to see it with my gran,” Amanda adds.
“Take That have been a soundtrack to our lives in so many ways. We cannot wait to return to their hometown, next June, to make even more memories. Now Grandma gets to see it with me in person too. Manchester – bring on the Circus!”
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