Gary Barlow’s Oxfordshire home was raided by thieves while the singer appeared on TV.

A gang forced the front gate of his property after dark and carried out a smash and grab burglary last month.

The star was away filming with Take That for Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, said The Sun.

The singer was told of the burglary the next day by the police.

It was not disclosed what if anything was stolen or whether the star’s wife or three children were at the property at the time.

Crime scene investigators were seen by neighbours taking photographs of the property in the days after the incident and house to house inquiries were carried out.

Mr Barlow bought the house for £2.3million in 2007.

A neighbour told The Sun: “He’s a lovely neighbour and it’s good have him in the village. I’m devastated this happened to such a nice family.”

Thames Valley Police said: “We received reports of a burglary in between 5.50pm on 7 April and 9am on 8 April.

"Officers are investigating the incident."