I was saved by wife and my bandmates
GARY Barlow has revealed his wife and Take That bandmates saved him from the depths of despair during a near breakdown.
The singer, who turns 50 tomorrow, put on weight to make himself unrecognisable after the band broke up and his career nosedived.
While his initial records were successful after the 1996 split, eventually fans lost interest and his label dropped him.
At just 31, he found himself in a career wilderness as he lashed out at everybody – including former bandmate Robbie Williams.
He said: “I spent so long feeling angry, with myself, with the press, my management – even Robbie.”
Gary, who wrote or co-wrote Take That’s 12 number one singles, added: “My link to music is the only thing that keeps me on an even keel. I love it so much, but it had become my enemy.”
Gary did not leave his house for around six months as his weight soared to more than 17 stone.
He has since spoken of suffering “quite a serious eating disorder”.
He said: “You would have people shouting, ‘Hey, how’s Robbie doing? The more weight I put on, the more invisible I was and this happened over two years and was fantastic.
“By the time I hit 17st 2lb I was in heaven because no one recognised me.” Performing filled him with dread and it took all his willpower to get control of his eating disorder.
He credits his wife Dawn – who he met when she was a backing dancer on Take That’s 1995 tour – with being his saviour.
The couple now have three children and Gary told US radio station Sirius XM: “My wife is pretty inspirational.
“I spend so much of my time working and so she does the lot with the children. She never complains. She is just the best.”
The last thing Gary expected was to find success with Take That again.
Yet their reunion in 2005 with hit Patience catapulted them to the top once more, and when Robbie rejoined them in 2010, their album Progress was hailed by critics.
Former X factor judge Gary had been nervous about reforming, but his bond with Mark, Howard and Jason was a lifeline.
He said: “It is hard to have confidence to go back but not when you are with your mates, three others who are going to feel it the same. It is a wonderful place to be.
“Take That has always been a place of healing, safety and family, friendship and values.”