Take That concerts will be Greatest Day for superfans sharing a special tribute

Two devoted Take That fans are set to experience a mix of joy and heartache when they watch the beloved boyband perform in Coventry this week. Helena Waterworth, from Coventry, and Bex Patchett will have every reason to both celebrate and reflect on personal loss when the group takes to the stage at Coventry Building Society Arena. Last Christmas, Helena's mum kept up a cherished family tradition by gifting her two daughters money towards Take That concert tickets. Sadly, she suddenly fell ill earlier this year and passed away following a brief battle with acute Myeloid Leukaemia. In tribute to her beloved mother - who happened to share her 20th January birthday with Gary Barlow - Helena, her younger sister and 25 year old daughter will wear specially-made T-shirts at two of Take That's three shows at Coventry Building Society Arena this week. ‌ "She (mum) put money towards our Take That tickets for The Circus Live tour this year so we have had T-shirts specially made for her," said Helena, 48. "We will all be wearing these as we sing and dance along to remember her; and probably have a little cry too." Such is Helena's devotion to the group that colleagues at the nurseries where she works are well aware of her passion for the boyband. When she turned 40, her husband even commissioned a Take That-themed cake in her honour. Helena's proudest moment is having kissed Mark Owen on the cheek during a live performance - and she has the footage to prove it. Having followed the group since their earliest shows in 1992, she saw them in Wolverhampton, aged 14, at what was her first ever concert, "and I was hooked!" As a teenager, she covered her bedroom walls with enormous Take That posters. Mark was her favourite, but Gary has since become her top choice. She has purchased every album, every single and every magazine, and has been to every tour since. ‌ Bex, from Brigg in North Lincolnshire, will experience mixed emotions when her musical heroes perform on stage. "They have been an important part of my life," she said. "In the happiest of times, when getting married and having our rainbow baby, and also the saddest. "Losing three unborn children was so hard for me, but with the support of Take That's music, and of course my amazing hubby, I came through it." ‌ Bex missed Take That's first incarnation of The Circus Live tour in 2009 as she was recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the loss of her first unborn child. "Being able to finally see The Circus Live is going to be super special," the 46-year-old said. "Especially as my miracle baby is also coming. She will be 10 and the tickets are a surprise for her birthday. ‌ "She came to see This Life on Tour with me in Birmingham in 2024. She is as mad about them as me. Gary is her fave and we got to see him enter the arena and got a pic of him. "That's the closest I have ever been to them. I would love to meet them and say thank you for all their music over the years."