Ask me anything

Gary Barlow opens up about Robbie Williams, wild fans and the things that make him cry

What’s the weirdest thing a fan has done?

They’re a well-behaved bunch these days. But, back in the ’90s, we had some weird stuff. Once, in South America, there were a couple of girls who dressed up as room service and pushed the trolley in then, all of a sudden, they got out their cameras.

Who’s the messiest in Take That?

Robbie [Williams]. He was the worst. You wouldn’t want to go in his hotel room – you’d catch something. Terrible.

Your guilty pleasure?

I like a drink. I really do. It’s all under control – I don’t want to lead anyone astray! My wife and I like to go for a very early drink on a Friday night. While we’re enjoying our cocktails, we will catch up on the week. It’s a nice excuse to do that.

There’s a zombie apocalypse. Who from Take That would you sign up to help fight them?

I’d take Howard [Donald, left]. He’s the oldest but his body has never changed. If there was anyone I would push in front of me and say, “Deal with this,” it’d be Howard.

Dream dinnerparty guests?

I’ll tell you who is a great dinner guest: Dermot O’Leary. Also, Ronan Keating. And I love to see James

Corden and Andrew Lloyd Webber. I like to have fun so I choose to be around people who make me laugh. They make the best guests.

The last time you cried?

My 11-year-old daughter loves Disney+. She has these films on and I think, “What have we got to sit through tonight?” Then you watch it and you’re in bloody tears. The other one that gets me is This Is Us. I’ve had to stop watching it. When my wife and I got to season three, I looked at her and said, “I can’t do this any more, it’s ruining my life.”

“I’ve had to stop watching This Is Us” Who have you been starstruck by?

Elton John. Although I can class him as a friend, I can never get over that it’s Elton John.

Tell us something surprising about yourself...

After all these years I’m out of info. Tell you one thing though, there is one positive to lockdown... I’ve been famous for a lot of years and a face mask is great. I was in Asda the other week and people just wandered by me. So I’m going to do Aldi next week. That it’s illegal not to wear one is the best thing that’s ever happened.

Get tickets for Gary’s 2021 Music Played By Humans – The Tour at Ticketmaster.co.uk and Gigsandtours.com