What’s On meets Take That frontman Gary Barlow in Dubai the night before a show at Media City Amphitheatre, his first in Dubai. Find out his pre-show habit.

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Other multi-million selling recording artists might spend the night before a big gig hosting a lavish party. Not Gary Barlow. The Take That frontman and former X Factor judge told What’s On that he’ll be hosting a quiz on his hotel balcony ahead of his Media City show on Friday night.

The award-winning singer-songwriter lived up to his nicest guy in pop reputation, revealing that he was off to research his questions after our interview.

“It’s going to be the band versus the crew, and I’m the quiz master,” Gary said, adding that he would also provide a coveted prize. “It’s most likely going to be a small bottle of aftershave.

“My questions will be general knowledge, but because it’s band versus crew I’ll be throwing in questions about keyboards and electronics and stuff. It’s all very rock and roll.”

Barlow, who is closing his Since I Saw You Last solo tour with the gig at the Media City Amphitheatre, said it was likely to be an emotional night.

“It marks the end of me doing solo stuff for a while,” he said. “The band (Take That) has been inactive for about three years, so after this we’ll be recording together again and going on tour. I’d actually love to come back to Dubai with the boys.”

Once his tour has closed, Barlow can look forward to a relaxing run up to Christmas this year, having vacated his seat on the UK X Factor judging panel.

“I did enjoy it, and I was a huge fan of that show before I was on it, but that last 10 weeks up to Christmas could be a bit of a killer. I’ve only watched one show so far this year, but that’s because I’ve been out of the country a lot. Once I get home I don’t think I’m travelling for a while.”

But before that Gary has one last show to deliver, and he plans to make it a night to remember.

“I’ll be playing all the songs right back as far as 1991,” he promised.