FORMER Take That heartthrob Gary Barlow is to top the bill at the Power In The Park V free concert in Southampton.

Gary - currently preparing to release his second solo album - will take to the stage on Southampton Common before he goes out on his national tour.

The appearance of the 28-year-old former boy-band songwriter was revealed by the Power FM Breakfast crew Rick Jackson and Ana Schofield.

And more stars who will be cranking it up for the open-air concert on June 13 will be unveiled in the Daily Echo this Friday.

Gary, who received mixed reviews for his first album - Open Road - after Take That split, has been busy working on new material while former group member Robbie Williams hit global super-stardom with two smash-hit albums.

And the blond singer of the biggest boy band of the '90s recently courted controversy in the national press with his claims about the rock 'n' roll lifestyle that he led during his time in the band.

He is happy to admit that disbanding Take That - with former members Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donaldson - was a risky decision.

"This is another beginning,'' Gary said at the time. "The first phase of my musical career was with Take That and this is the second phase. I love the risk factor, changes, taking chances.''

Gary is on the Power bill with chart popsters E17, Eurovision losers Precious and former Coronation Street star Adam Ricketts, along with a host of others.

When Back For Good - one of Take That's final singles - secured him global acclaim as a songwriter in 1995, Gary's gamble seemed to pay off.

The star's appearance at Power In The Park V will be followed by a date at Bournemouth's BIC on December 21.

For more news about the acts appearing at Power in the Park don't miss Friday's What's On.

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