Songwriter thought Gary Barlow message was a hoax

Andy Platts was contacted by Gary Barlow on Instagram

A musician and songwriter who helped to produce Take That’s new single said he thought it was a "wind-up" when he was first contacted by Gary Barlow.

Andy Platts, 44, from near Dereham, Norfolk, said he received a message from Barlow on Instagram after he had discovered his band's music on YouTube.

Mr Platts wrote the chorus for Take That's new song This Life, which inspired the name of their new album.

He also produced the music and provided the backing vocals.

"It's weird to think something I cooked up in my little studio in the Norfolk countryside is going to be featuring on one of the biggest albums of the year," Mr Platts said.

"I'd written this chorus and he [Gary Barlow] kind of divined this verse, bridge, melody and lyrics on the spot, and the whole thing came together very quickly."

Take That are set to perform at Carrow Road in Norwich next year

Take That's new single, This Life, which was released this week, is about the hardship “that everyone faces", Mr Platts said.

"Opportunities like this you grab with both hands and you run with it," he added.

"If that makes me a bit more visible then fantastic, I'm not going to turn any opportunities down that come my way."

Mr Platts started writing music at the age of eight and gained a music degree from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, founded by Sir Paul McCartney.

He said he had written songs for the likes of James Morrison and John Park - as well as working with Rod Temperton, who wrote Michael Jackson's hits Thriller and Rock With You.

Mr Platts is currently a member of two bands, Mamas Gun and Young Gun Silver Fox.

Andy Platts' band Mamas Gun are performing in Norwich in November

Take That are performing at Carrow Road in Norwich next May, having last played there in 2019.

"I'm going to see them, hopefully at Carrow Road," Mr Platts said.

"I've never seen a concert at Carrow Road so I'm very much looking forward to it."

Mr Platts' band Mamas Gun is playing at the Norwich Arts Centre for the first time on 26 November.