Caoimhe meets her idol thanks to generous star

Caoimhe meets her idol thanks to generous star

13 May 2015

THE dreams of a 12 year-old girl have come true with a face-to-face meeting with her celebrity hero Gary Barlow.

Caoimhe Rhodes McMenamin finally met her Take That idol when he was in Belfast last week for a sell-out concert.

The meeting was arranged three months ago following a persistent online campaign by her mum Michelle, who attracted thousands of supporters when she tried to persuade the singer to meet her child who has an undiagnosed syndrome.

In an unexpected bonus, Mark Owen and Howard Donald also called in to have a chat with the delighted Caoimhe during a break from their Tuesday show.

Michelle said she was so overwhelmed by the meeting that she forgot to take photographs, while Caoimhe was thrilled that her dream had been fulfilled.

“They were so good with her, Gary loved her outfit and hair and they chatted away to us about where we were from and football,” she said.

“Caoimhe hasn’t stopped talking about it, she’s all smiles every time she mentions it.”

Michelle said she was thankful to her many online followers who had helped persuade Gary Barlow to meet Caoimhe, who has battled life-threatening problems due to her special needs.

She says her daughter’s fascination with Gary Barlow began when he was a judge on X Factor.

“It was because I knew how much it would mean for her to meet him that I started the campaign, basically tweeting and putting messages on Facebook asking him to see her at his concert.

“Last week she was just in awe of them and thought they were statues when she walked into the dressing room.

“Gary was amazing to agree to this, the look on her wee face was priceless, and she deserved it so much after all the illness and obstacles she has fought.”