Take That tightrope walker says it's an 'honour' to perform with the group

2 hours ago 1

Chris Dempsey Ellis dressed in all white trousers and shirt, with a white hat, walks along a wire above a crowd. He wears glasses and has a ginger beard. He is holding a long balance pole above the crowd, with one hand outstretched. Chris Dempsey

Ellis walked six metres above the crowds in the Principality Stadium as part of Take That's rebooted Circus Live tour

A tightrope walker who will perform high above the crowds at the Principality Stadium has said it is an "honour" to help Take That transform the venue into a giant circus.

On Tuesday, the British band are taking to the stage in Cardiff as they return with their rebooted Circus Live tour, complete with acrobats, ringmasters, tightrope walkers, and even a mechanical elephant.

One of those performers is Ellis Grover, from Carmarthen, who walks "unstrapped" between two stages with a six-metre (19ft) drop below him.

"Gary [Barlow] is a lovely chap, I've been trying to get him a tightrope," he joked.

Getty Images The three men in pink and green circus outfits and face paint performing on stage in a row. They are all wearing bowler hats with the first letter of their name on. Gary Barlow holds a microphone up to his mouth, while Mark has his hand on Howard's shoulder, and Howard has his hand on Gary's shoulder. They all wear sequin trousers. Getty Images

Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Gary Barlow returned with their rebooted Circus Live tour

Take That originally brought the Circus Live tour to Wales in 2009, with the band performing three nights at the then Millennium Stadium.

The group, made up of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, previously said: "The Circus tour was one of our favourite experiences as a band and, in the years since, we've talked many times about how much we'd love to do it again one day."

Now, 17 years on, they're doing the same for one night only in Cardiff, ahead of releasing their 10th studio album towards the end of 2026.

Ellis told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast he had been a high wire walker for 15 years, and as there are only a few of them in the UK at the moment, the opportunity "just came across my desk, so to speak".

"It is just a process of trust really. We've all got this ability in us," he said.

With the circus already passing through Southampton, Sunderland, Coventry and Glasgow before coming to Wales, Ellis added he was "quite tired" after a month on the road "but the knees are feeling fine".

Graham Harries Ellis holds his white top hat in his right hand, and lies flat along a tight rope. The background shows large crowds of people watching on from the stadium seating. Graham Harries

Ellis in action on the first night of the tour at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton

Ellis said the key to success was "all about body maintenance", with the help of lots of warm ups, stretching, and "taking a bit of time off".

"I do like to have a full stomach on a tightrope; it's less distractions you know," he added.

After he completes the tour, Ellis said he would like to do more wire walks in "large natural spaces".

"I adore the art form for its ability to create beautiful pictures out of beautiful stages. As I progress, I want to do more and more wire walks".

Read Entire Article