Gary Barlow 'spends thousands' to advertise his first solo album in fourteen years on Coronation Street

His last solo album sank without trace after labouring to a lowly 34 in the UK album chart.

Perhaps with that failure in mind, Gary Barlow has spent thousands of pounds to promote his forthcoming release on ITV flagship Coronation Street.

Fans of the show will see Barlow’s face emblazoned across a large poster advertising the new album in a bus shelter directly outside Audrey’s hair salon.

The 42-year-old singer-songwriter - currently a judge on The X Factor - will drop third solo LP Since I Saw You Last next month and is keen to ensure it gets maximum exposure in the weeks preceding its release. 

Gary Barlow has spent thousands of pounds to promote his new album on Coronation Street

Canny: Gary Barlow has spent thousands of pounds to promote his new album on Coronation Street

Advertising space on Corrie – a show watched by millions – is sure to give it just that, but the canny marketing ploy is understood to have cost Barlow tens of thousands of pounds.

Actor Jack Shepherd – David Platt in the popular soap – recently posted a picture of the ad on his Twitter homepage with the caption ‘spot the ad,’ prompting a string of responses from fans.

When one commented on the ad being an indication that ‘you’ve made it’, he replied: ‘or paid ‘em enough money.’

Gary Barlow promotes his new album in a bus stop outside Audrey's hair salon

Prime location: Gary Barlow promotes his new album in a bus stop outside Audrey's hair salon

The actor has since removed the post from his account, but sources claim Barlow’s decision to splash out on the prime advertisement was a clever move.

‘I think we are going to see a lot more product placement in our favourite shows,’ brandRapport advertising expert Neil Currie told The Sun. ‘Gary’s team have been very savvy. I would imagine he paid a high five-figure sum for the premium spot.’

He added: ‘Around eight million people will see it a few times a week.’

Take That have enjoyed huge success since reforming in 2006

A welcome return: Take That have enjoyed huge success since reforming in 2006

The singer’s album follows close to a decade of consistent success following the reformation of Take That in 2006, ten-years after they announced their split. 

Barlow – the creative force behind their biggest hits – was expected to enjoy a long, fruitful solo career.

Despite a promising start with debut album Open Road, which reached number one on the UK album chart, the hits soon dried up and Barlow found himself parting ways with then record company Sony BMG after second album Twelve Months, Eleven Days struggled to make an impact following its release in 1999.

His new album will coincide with the release of former band-mate Robbie Williams’ next release, Swings Both Ways – a follow up to the hugely successful Swing When You’re Winning. 

Gary Barlow is understood to have paid thousands in order to promote his new album on the Coronation Street cobbles

Advertising space: Gary Barlow is understood to have paid thousands in order to promote his new album on the Coronation Street cobbles