Take That main man Gary Barlow was a popular choice to present an award last week at shopkeeping school the Fashion Retail Academy.

Gary Barlow

He gave the Commitment Award to Shauna Harding from the Higher Certificate Merchandising course. Barlow admitted that on first being asked, he was bemused. “I don’t present awards, I get given them,” was his response.

After hearing about the academy’s work he was happy to get involved, to the delight of the students and, notably, chair of governors Kim Morton.