The group played to half a million fans in the UK last year

The box office opened on Friday morning and some fans had been staying in tents for the past three nights.

The reformed boy band announced a second tour of the UK after getting back together last year.

The Beautiful World Tour includes shows in Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, London and Manchester during November and December.

Six extra nights have now been added to meet demand, but they are all at the MEN Arena and The Millennium Dome in London.

Last year's single Patience and album Beautiful World topped the charts following a successful reunion tour.