Gary Barlow

One-fifth of pop group Take That, singer, songwriter, X Factor judge, he’s been around.

His first solo effort came in 1997 with Open Road, following the break-up of Take That. It became a success in the UK, charting at #1, and releasing hits “Forever Love”, “Love Won’t Wait” and “Open Road”. However, after being overshadowed by former bandmate Robbie Williams, second album Twelve Months, Eleven Days didn’t do nearly as well, only making it to #35 in the UK Albums Chart. By this point, the music industry had ridiculed and ostracised him, and Gary disappeared from the limelight.

It wasn’t until 2005 that he made a comeback when Take That reunited, and went on to record number one albums Beautiful World in 2006 and The Circus in 2008. In 2010, with Robbie Williams‘ return, the band released Progress, which became the fastest selling album of the 21st century and the second fastest selling album in British history.

He recorded his first solo album in fourteen years with Since I Saw You Last, released in 2013. It was a huge success, reaching #2 in the UK Albums Chart and with hit single “Let Me Go”. He also went on to write the music for musicals Finding Neverland and Calendar Girls and organised the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II.

At the moment, Gary continues working with Take That.