Gary plea as he calls off Take That tour over serious illness
GARY Barlow has cancelled plans for a Take That world tour due to a serious illness in the family.
The singer, 47, along with bandmates Mark Owen, 46, and Howard Donald, 50, were due to mark their 30th anniversary with an arena tour beginning in April.
Instead, they will stick to dates around Europe so Gary can be close to home.
“So all the plans for South America and Australia that we had are off. I thank my two bandmates who have been so very understanding, but I just have to be at home – I cannot leave. I didn’t want people getting frustrated that we’re not getting out there.
“I’m a little stuck at the BY MARK JEFFERIES moment, so please be understanding.”
Instead, Gary will spend time next year writing a movie with award-winning lyricist Tim Rice, 74.
Gary said: “We’ve been writing an idea that’s set on a cruise ship. It was going to be a musical, however, we do have a film deal pending on it, so I have a feeling that we’re going to be writing that as a movie.
“I’m very excited. That will be brand-new music, a brand-new story.”
Gary, who is planning to take some time off over the next year or two, said last month: “I’m working so hard because I’m planning a year off. A sabbatical.
“The last five years I have been working harder because I want to earn myself some serious time off.
“There’s stuff I want to do. Things I want to do other than music that I’ve never had a chance to do.”