Take That are a 4 piece again

When they announced last year that Robbie Williams had rejoined Take That for a new album and tour, fans around the world rejoiced.

But now Gary Barlow has revealed that Robbie, who was seen supporting him on The X Factor last weekend, has now left the band once more, confirming Take That are a four-piece again.

The 40-year-old star said that Robbie was no longer in the band, confirming when asked if Take That was back to having four members, ‘Yes’.

He said: ‘It was beautiful. We got on well. We finished the tour. We’re all happy. The fans have come along and been happy. Great, great, great, great, great.

Firm friends: Robbie joined Gary for X Factor’s judges’ houses last weekend

‘Now Rob’s doing a solo record, and from this point it’s back to where it was.’

Gary added that Take That’s revival as a five-man band ‘ended perfectly’.

He said: You know what, we can revisit it whenever we want. He’s our brother, Rob is, and if he’s ever in trouble or he wants to have a year off being Robbie Williams, he’s welcome any time he wants.’

Take That announced in 2010 that they would be performing their first tour as a complete group, Progress Live 2011, for 16 years.

Talking about the pair’s well-publicised arguments in the past, Gary said: ‘It would be unfair for me to say he’s the one with the ego because I’ve got a pretty big ego as well.

And especially in those younger days when I was 24 and he was 20, but then you come back – I was 38 and he was 34 – and it’s like “Let’s talk this through”.’

However, despite Gary’s comments a recent interview, a spokesperson for Take That said the singer had made a similar comment earlier in the year, but insisted the current line-up of the group was simply on ‘a break’.

He said in a statement: ‘I can confirm that the band are not splitting and there is no pending announcement of a split.

The band are on a break, Gary is doing X Factor and Robbie is working on his new solo album.’

In scenes cut from the programme, he is said to have mocked the contestant by rifling through her handbag…leading to boos from the audience.

But Gary said he is actually enjoying being the bad guy on the judging panel.

Gary said, ‘I’ve upset a lot of people, most of all the audiences, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

‘I’ve spent 20 years being cheered and screamed after, but being booed is actually quite addictive.’

by Wallace McTavish

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