A GUITARIST has told how he was plucked from a hotel bar to open for Take That after support act Olly Murs' flight was cancelled.
Daniel Rooney, 26, was halfway through his set at the Radisson RED when he was taken to the sold-out OVO Hydro to fill in for the stranded singer.
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He revealed he went to the venue and played in front of 14,300 screaming fans just 20 minutes later.
Daniel got the shout-out after desperate Gary Barlow called showbiz presenter Ross King, who spotted him playing for the huge show.
He told The Scottish Sun: “I was about 12 songs into it and hadn't even finished playing Shine by Take That.
'Gary had called Ross to say Olly couldn't come and did he know anyone?
“I think it was meant as a joke, but he told him there was a guy in the hotel who sounded good.
“About twenty minutes later I walk on stage walking across the parking lot with my guitar.
“It was like a dream came true.”
Daniel, from Carmyle, Glasgow, was an hour into his set for dozens of guests at the hotel when he linked it to the Hydro across the road in the city centre.
He says he didn't have enough time to feel nervous and crashed through a sound check before starting his half-hour performance.
The musician revealed the roar of the crowd when he came on stage and after his first song he put him at ease.
Daniel played a crowd-pleasing mash-up of Stealers Wheel's 1972 hit Stuck In The Middle With You and synth-pop duo Erasure's A Little Respect, as well as fellow countryman Paolo Nutini's Candy, prompting a huge sing-along to Andy William's Can't Take. My eyes off you.
He added: “For the first song I felt a bit uncomfortable, but after that I was able to relax.
“It's by far the biggest gig I've ever played.
“When I came off Take That, there were guys waiting at the side of the stage.
“They were so nice, gave me a big hug and told me I had done well.
“Gary told me he got a video and I could stay there and watch their show.
“My family sometimes comes to my performances, but none of them were there.
“They're sad they missed it, but they're so happy for me.”
Daniel credits retired dinner lady Ann, 64, and self-employed painter and decorator dad PJ, 62, with sparking his love of music.
PJ is a guitarist and harmonica player and the couple always had instruments in the house and constantly played Beatles, Rolling Stones and Elton John records while he was growing up.
Daniel plays seven nights a week at venues across Glasgow including Radisson RED, St Luke's pub and Wunderbar.
He has recorded eight songs with his friends in the Belbert Grady Band that he hopes to release later this year and is on the hunt for a house with pharmacist girlfriend Amy Detta, 26.
Radisson RED manager Graham Chalmers spoke of the moment he saw the entertainer leave his bar.
“It was a strange moment when I looked over and saw Danny putting on his jacket and lifting his guitar.
“I asked him what was going on, but when he told me, how can you stand in the way of that kind of opportunity?”
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