IT has played host to royalty, rock stars and even James Bond. Next summer, Blenheim Palace is underlining its reputation as the place to be seen by hosting a concert by one of the biggest names in pop – Gary Barlow.

The multiple-award winning Take That singer will follow in the footsteps of Elton John, Ennio Morricone and Van Morrison by playing its Nocturne Live festival in June.

The star is the first name to be unveiled for the four-day series of concerts, which will be staged in the Great Court of the Woodstock stately home – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – from June 14 to 17.

The singer will perform music from across his varied back catalogue including a selection of Take That’s greatest hits and songs from his chart-topping solo albums.

The intimate concert in the Great Court, which was featured in the 007 film Spectre, will be a special treat for fans, with the artist generally only performing huge arena shows. His last solo tour in 2014 saw him playing to sell out crowds at the O2 London, Birmingham LG Arena and Manchester Arena, but he said he was looking forward to playing smaller venues.

He said: “I had such a lot of fun back in 2013 when I also played smaller venues because you’re so much closer to the fans.

"The audience always seem to love the intimacy of it all too.

"I’m also really looking forward to playing in a couple of cities I’ve never played before as well as getting a chance to meet the fans there.”

As a songwriter and frontman of Take That, Mr Barlow became a household name, his fame continuing after the band's dissolution, with a string of solo hits.

In 2005 he once again joined band mates for the group's reunion.

One of Britain's most successful songwriters, he has written 14 number one singles – 12 with That That and twice as a solo artist.

He has written 24 top 10 hits – six as a solo star – and enjoyed success with seven number one albums with Take That and two on his own.

He has won six Ivor Novello Awards for his writing and has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. The Cheshire-born artist has also co-written and produced music for other renowned artists including Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John and former Take That band mate Robbie Williams.

His last solo record, 2013's Since I Saw You Last sold more than 600,000 copies, reached number two in the charts on the UK and was the ninth biggest selling album that year.

When not performing, he served as head judge of The X Factor from 2011 to 2013 and Let It Shine in 2017. He has also written for the stage, composing the score for Finding Neverland, based on the life of Peter Pan creator J.M. Barrie, and working alongside screenwriter Tim Firth to write the music and lyrics for musical The Girls.

He also worked alongside his Take That band mates to produce The Band, a record-breaking musical featuring the band's music.

Mr Barlow follows in the footsteps of some illustrious predecessors. This year's Nocturne acts included Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter and The Jacksons.

Nocturne Director Ciro Romano said: "We’re extremely happy to have secured Gary Barlow for next year’s Nocturne Live. He’s one of the most successful UK songwriters of all time with an incredible back catalogue of music to draw from and his concert will provide a fitting finale to next year’s event.”

Jonathan Prince, Marketing Executive at Blenheim Palace said, “We are thrilled to welcome Nocturne Live back to Blenheim Palace for another series of fantastic outdoor summer concerts in the Great Court.

"The news that Gary Barlow is the first act to be announced sets a very high standard for what will be an eclectic mix of world class musicians and acts.”

* Tickets for Gary Barlow at Blenheim Palace start at £45 and go on sale at 9am on Friday from nocturnelive.com.