A childminder from Ely has tweeted Gary Barlow almost 5,000 times in a bid to get him to come to her 50th birthday party ... and her persistence may have paid off.

Ely Standard: Sue and Graham Smith. with Tweet from Gary Barlow.Sue and Graham Smith. with Tweet from Gary Barlow. (Image: Archant)

Since last April, Sue Smith, 49, has sent the Take That singer 4,702 tweets asking him to appear at her birthday party, which will be held at Ely Golf Club on July 14.

Last week, the mother of two, who often goes to Take That concerts with her 14 year-old daughter Lara, was stunned to see Barlow had sent her a private message on Twitter which said: “Sue, you’re a one off! Love it! See u soon xxx.”

Although he hasn’t confirmed he will be going to the party, Mrs Smith says she is ‘optimistic’ he is planning to perform for her.

She said: ‘I couldn’t believe it when I received the private message.

“Okay he hasn’t confirmed anything but the fact he’s said he’ll see me soon leaves me feeling optimistic.

“The thought of meeting him, even if it isn’t on the night of my party, makes me feel sick with this nervous excitement. My stomach literally churns.”