Excitement for Robbie Williams concert

Fans queue outside Murrayfield. Pic: Ian Georgeson

There was a heavy police presence as the music venue stepped up security over the course of the evening in light of the recent terror attacks in both London and Manchester.

Armed police officers could be seen patrolling the venue’s perimeter, with concert goers also having to hand over their bags for them to be searched before being able to head inside.

Williams, 43, is currently touring the UK for The Heavy Entertainment Show.

The concert comes just days after the star took to the stage of the One Love gig in Manchester, organised by singer Ariana Grande in memory of the 22 people killed in a terror attack at one of her concerts.

There was an excited atmosphere at the stadium as fans arrived from all over the country to watch the singer, who holds a record 18 Brit Awards to his name.

Concertgoer Heather Kerr, 51, was at the gig with her 19-year-old daughter Kirsty, after buying her the tickets for a Christmas present.

The pair travelled to Edinburgh from Crook of Devon, in Perth and Kinross, with Mrs Kerr saying she was looking forward to some mother-daughter time.

Mrs Kerr said the extra security was reassuring, adding: “They were very good at sending things out about bags, that we’d be searched and that there would be a police presence.

“It’s exciting, people are really looking forward to seeing him. Even on the tram coming across you could tell there was a buzz about it. It’s all been very positive.”

Friends Angela Hughes, Caroline Gaines, Hayley McCartney and Tricia Love came down from Airdrie, in North Lanarkshire, to see the showman in action.

Angela, 43, said she had seen Williams a few times before and welcomed the police presence, saying it was necessary in light of the recent terror attacks.

She said: “It’s reassuring – they have to take precautions, it makes us feel safer.”

Caroline, 34, said the recent suicide bomb attack in Manchester had made her think, but added: “You can’t not live your life – you can’t not carry on.I have thought about it but it’s not stopped me from coming.”

Williams is known both for his time in Take That – from 1990-1995 and again from 2009-2012 – as well as his successful solo career, the latter of which has bagged him seven number one singles.

Visitors were told to arrive early yesterday with a pre-show bar laid on outside the stadium from 3pm and the arena opening its doors from 5pm.

Pamela Jeffrey, from Ballingry, in Fife, was at the concert with her sister Vicky after winning a pair of tickets in a competition on Facebook.

Describing the atmosphere as “phenomenal”, the 32-year-old said: “I can’t wait to see him because his music on his new album is so good.

“He’s a good showman and how he sounds on a CD or the radio, he sounds like that live – that’s hard for a lot of them.”

Pamela also praised the police for their “cheerful” attitude and efforts to keep people safe.

She added: “Everybody is in high spirits, especially after the last couple of weeks – you wouldn’t even think it’s been going on. The police force have been so helpful with that.You can’t let it [terrorism] stop you. That’s why they do it – it’s to put fear into people – but you have to put on a united front. We are going to continue living our life as normal.”