POP superstars Take That added a second North-East date to their UK tour yesterday, as desperate fans endured hours of frustration trying to secure tickets.

Ticketing websites were overrun with die-hard followers of the reunited chart-topping five-piece, prompting the band to confirm a second concert at Sunderland FC’s Stadium of Light, on Tuesday, May 31.

Hundreds of people queued outside the ground for days in advance, with in-person purchase tickets selling out within hours of their 9am release.

The club also reported unprecedented demand for hospitality tickets.

Ticketmaster said call volume was at least twice that seen for Michael Jackson and it was struggling to cope with demand.

However, organisers had not confirmed the concerts fully sold out last night, and thousands of tickets are already being traded on fan-tofan exchange websites.

The first Sunderland concert, on Monday, May 30, will be Take That’s first with Robbie Williams since 1995, kicking off the band’s biggest tour to date. Progress Live 2011, taking in huge venues across the UK and Europe, will promote the album of the same name, due out next month.

As well as a second North-East date, the band has added extra concerts in Glasgow, Birmingham, Dublin, Cardiff, London and Manchester.

Sunderland FC chief executive Steve Walton said the demand for tickets demonstrated the North- East’s appetite for live music, and he was delighted Take That would be staying on for a second night.

He said: “Together with the recently announced Kings of Leon gig, these events will bring tens of thousands of concert-goers flooding into the city, benefiting our city economy and the profile of the North-East region as a whole.”

In recent years, the Stadium of Light has hosted Take That, Oasis and Pink.

Tickets for Take That’s return are priced from £55. The band has promised a feast for the imagination.

Kings of Leon will visit on Friday, June 17. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, at 9am.