FRODSHAM’S most famous son said he was “deeply proud” after receiving his OBE from the Queen.

Take That star Gary Barlow, who grew up in a bungalow on London Road in the market town, returned to Buckingham Palace today (Wednesday) to receive the title for services to the entertainment industry and to charitable causes.

The 41-year-old former Frodsham High School student declined to talk to reporters outside the palace, but in a statement said he had been surprised by the award of his OBE and that it “hadn’t seemed real until today”.

Barlow, who launched his first solo tour in 13 years without his Take That band mates this month, joined celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal and hundreds of others at a glittering Buckingham Palace reception hosted by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate the achievements of those who had hosted events to remember across the country.

The Relight My Fire singer masterminded the triumphant Diamond Jubilee concert in June and the anthem Sing, co-written with Andrew Lloyd Webber, topped the singles charts with his OBE being announced days later in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The X Factor judge is also the creative force behind one of the most successful boybands in history, and has raised thousands of pounds for charity with his celebrity climb up Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief and organising charity concerts for Children in Need in 2009 and 2011.

Earlier this month, Sir Elton John presented Barlow with the Music Industry Trust Award.