Take That fans share excitement ahead of gigs

Emma Knaggs, 45, said she had been a fan since she was 11 years old

Take That fans have spoken of their excitement and love for the boyband ahead of their concerts in Nottinghamshire.

The pop group will take to the stage with their This Life on Tour show at Nottingham Forest's City Ground on Saturday and Sunday night.

Nottinghamshire County Council estimates 28,000 fans will be travelling to the venue each night for the concerts.

Emma Knaggs and Caroline Everington are among those going to watch the band, and both say they plan to start queuing long before the doors open.

Ms Knaggs, from Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, has been a fan of the band since she was 11, saying her earliest memory of them was seeing them perform It Only Takes a Minute Girl on TV in 1992.

Her first concert was later that year, at Derby's Assembly Rooms.

Ms Knaggs said she had built up a collection of Take That memorabilia over the years

The 45-year-old said: "My mum was a single parent but she always managed to get me and my sister tickets to go to see them.

"When I was 15, she actually got me tickets to them in Rotterdam. It was amazing."

When her mum died in 2020, Ms Knaggs said two friends Becky and Leanne - who she met in a queue at a previous concert - were her "rock".

"Our friendship started with Take That and we've spoken every day since," she said.

"I'm so thankful to Take That as well because if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have those girls in my life."

Ms Knaggs has seen Take That perform at venues across the UK, as well as in Milan, Hamburg and Vienna, and later this year, said she would be seeing the band again in Manchester, Venice and Rome.

Her many highlights include being called to the stage to sing A Million Love Songs at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall in 2018.

She plans to arrive at about 09:00 BST on Sunday - eight hours before the doors are due to open.

Ms Everington (far right) with her daughter and their friends at an earlier show in Sheffield

Caroline Everington, from Cotgrave in Nottinghamshire, will be going to both concerts with her friends and also plans to arrive in plenty of time.

The 47-year-old nurse said: "I've been a fan since I was 15 - Sunday will be my 18th gig."

"My husband is very understanding," she added.

West Bridgford is expected to be very busy due to the shows

She said she had already been to two shows on the current tour but was "especially looking forward to this weekend because it's [close to home]", and said she would be buying a tour T-shirt to add to her ever-growing collection.

Ms Everington added: "I would love to actually meet Take That but I haven't yet - I haven't been that lucky. But I've got lots of friends that I've met at shows."

Several road closures and parking restrictions will be in place due to the performances.

Colwick Road, Pavillion Road and Trentside North will be entirely closed.

While Fox Road, Hound Road, and the A6011 Lady Bay Bridge will be partly closed.

There will also be parking restrictions in place in Fox Road, Hound Road, Colwick Road, Pavillion Road, Trentside North, and Bridgford Road.

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