"A dream come true" for an RAF officer

Flight Lieutenant Collette Knill won a competition to perform with Gary Barlow at Camp Bastion Credit: ITV

A Flight Lieutenant from Cornwall has said singing a duet with Gary Barlow on his recent trip to Afghanistan was “a dream come true”.

Collette Knill, from Chacewater near Truro, is serving with the RAF at Camp Bastion. She won a competition to sing with the Take That star.

The Take That star made the trip for a TV special to be screened over the festive season, called Gary Barlow: Journey to Afghanistan, that included the concert.

The gig, performed on a stage made out of the back of a truck, was almost cancelled due to a sandstorm.

The singer's visit to Camp Bastion was filmed for a TV special Gary Barlow: Journey to Afghanistan. Credit: ITV

Barlow’s visit – between live X Factor shows – was arranged amid tight security meaning he had not even told his mother where he was going.

There had been concerns he may not make it back for the next edition of the show if he was held up in any way.