LOCKDOWN has seen Darren Hosker develop an unusual career change - from being Gary Barlow in a Take That tribute act to a district history buff and YouTube sensation.

The 37-year-old found himself short of work due to live performances for his tribute band, Take That Live, being stalled due to the pandemic.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Darren Hosker as Gary Barlow in Take That Live Darren Hosker as Gary Barlow in Take That Live

The break from stage work has meant that Mr Hosker, who grew up in Tong, has begun to indulge in another passion; as a history explorer.

Mr Hosker has visited a number of old and often disused sites around the Bradford district, uncovering each site's past. He then films each visit and uploads them on to his YouTube channel, AdventureMe.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Darren Hosker goes underground at Milner Field Darren Hosker goes underground at Milner Field

He took up his new hobby in January this year as something to fill his time on weekdays, while his weekends were filled with live performances in the tribute boyband, before lockdown.

One of his latest trips was to Milner Field, an abandoned Victorian mansion in Bingley. He was accompanied by fellow YouTuber and explorer, Manchester-based MartinZero.

Titus Salt Jnr and his wife Catherine, who bought the Milner Field Estate in 1869. The old manor house and farm buildings at the top end of the estate were then demolished to make way for the building of the new Milner Field house, completed in 1871.

Mr Hosker says he had done his research prior to the trip but was surprised by what he uncovered.

He said: "It was strange and surreal. I wanted to go there for years. I had been looking to go there for 10 years. I had done my research on it.

"I was not sure what to expect when I got there. I look to do my research on a place I visit, but I look to find things out on the day as well.

"The cellar was accessible and we found a huge hole that was doable to get down there. The cellar was absolutely intact inside. They did fill it with rubble, but most of that had been excavated.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The cellar at Milner Field The cellar at Milner Field

It was like a horror film set there. We went there in mid afternoon on a hot, sunny day. It was like a different world. It was so quiet. We felt a bit sombre when we were there

"Somebody commented on my video on YouTube that they had played down there in the 1950s and it had been a wine cellar.

"I tend to go to places that are accessible. It tends to be places that are out of bounds, but the gate is open."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The cellar entrance at Milner Field The cellar entrance at Milner Field

Mr Hosker, who lives in Rothwell, has already filmed in Saltaire, Dudley Hill Station, Shipley Glen and Bradford Exchange Station. He plans to do trips to Shipley Glen Tramway and shafts in Baildon and Skipton.

Mr Hosker also plans to explore further afield in England, with trips pencilled into historical locations in Birmingham, Derbyshire and Portsmouth.

He added: "I don't want to just concentrate around here. I have two years' worth of stuff already from around here.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Rubble remains at Milner Field Rubble remains at Milner Field

"The demand is growing. I have come into it at the right time. I had watched other people do it on YouTube before.

"It's kind of becoming the norm."