Gary Barlow "felt like a failure" in the years after Take That split while Robbie Williams's solo success soared

Gary, who had been expected to be the breakout star, struggled to match that success and has admitted he could not see a way back for himself or the band at the time.

He told the Sunday Times: "I felt like a failure. I had all this shame of the position I was in and it would have been different if it happened today, because you could reach out for help. It's not shameful to ask for help now. But I would not have done anything differently because it's all led to here."

Gary also said: "No, definitely no. I just couldn't see a way back. I couldn't see a world where it would happen because Robbie had gone not just big - he'd gone so big we were just left there. Who would want to come and see us? Who would care?"

During that period, Gary developed bulimia, which he has described as an attempt to "kill off the pop star" he thought he no longer was.

He changed his diet in 2003 in a bid to overcome the disorder and his struggles with body image.

Take That eventually reunited in 2005 and went on to tour extensively.

Last week, it was announced their record-breaking Circus Live tour would return in summer 2026 with stadium shows across the UK and Ireland.

Gary, Mark Owen and Howard Donald will headline the concerts, though Jason Orange, who left the group in 2014, will not take part.

The band said in a statement: "The Circus tour was one of our favourite experiences as a band and, in the years since, we've talked many times about how much we'd love to do it again one day.

"Well, that time has come! We're so excited to welcome audiences old and new across the UK and Ireland to the spectacle of The Circus Live next summer. See you out there!"

The original 2009 production featured fire-breathers, stilt-walkers and a 30-foot mechanical elephant.