Gary Barlow stays with Sony

Gary Barlow has renewed his songwriting deal with Sony/ATV.

The Take That singer – who has penned tracks for a host of other artists, including Dame Shirley Bassey and N-Dubz – is delighted to have extended his publishing contract with the group so he can continue writing for other people.

He said: “Because songwriting is such a huge part of what I do, the partnership with Sony is so important.”

However, any pop stars hoping for a track from the ‘Patience’ hitmaker may have a long wait as Gary is currently tied up with recording the next Take That album, the follow-up to 2008’s hit LP ‘The Circus’.

Sony/ATV boss Rak Sanghvi said: “He’s got to focus on the Take That record with the rest of the guys and they’re doing it now, but he’s not a man who sits around.

“I’m sure the second the Take That record is in the bag he’ll be off on other projects.”

It was recently reported that Take That – Gary, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald – have teamed up with their former bandmate Robbie Williams to record five songs for their new LP, which is expected to be released later this year.