Gary Barlow's Coldplay Challenge

Gary Barlow's Coldplay Challenge

Gary Barlow's mother prefers Coldplay to Take That.

The 'Greatest Day' singer has revealed Marjorie loved his group's spectacular 'Circus' stadium tour - which they undertook earlier this year and which featured elaborate stunts, a 60 ft mechanical elephant and carnival performers - but has now told him they need to improve after watching the 'Viva La Vida' hitmakers' concert in London last week.

He said: "My mum was blown away by Coldplay. She thought we were brilliant but they were better - and wasn't afraid to tell me.

"So I'll have to up the ante for the next tour."

As well as planning a new live show, Gary - who has contributed tracks to Dame Shirley Bassey's new album - has set his sights on a new collaboration.

The singer wants to work with 'Holiday' star Dizzee Rascal on a single - believed to be for charity Children In Need - but has been shunned by the 'Bonkers' rapper so far.

Speaking at the London launch of Shirley's album 'The Performance', Gary added: "I want to work with Dizzee but he's not interested - he told me he wants Shirley.

"Can you imagine the two of them? It would be incredible. They should do something."