Pop icon Rick Astley has made a candid New Year's resolution for 2026, vowing to significantly improve his fitness ahead of a major tour and his 60th birthday. The 'Never Gonna Give You Up' singer exclusively revealed his plans, citing both family health concerns and the impressive example set by fellow star Gary Barlow.
A Resolution for the Road
In an exclusive interview, Astley confirmed that getting in shape is a top priority for the coming year. The singer, who turns 60 in February 2026, will embark on his 'The Reflection Tour' starting in April, with dates scheduled across the UK and internationally throughout the summer.
"One of my things that I'm conscious of is I need to get fitter than I am," Astley admitted. He explained that being the youngest of four siblings has given him a fresh perspective on health. He has watched his older sister Jayne and retired brother John navigate health issues, prompting his own proactive stance. "We're all moaning about physical things these days, and I'm the youngest," he noted.
Barlow the 'Machine' as Inspiration
A key source of motivation for Astley's fitness drive is Take That's Gary Barlow. The singer revealed he often watches Barlow's rigorous tour preparation on Instagram, finding it both daunting and inspiring.
"I very often watch Gary Barlow – goddamn Gary Barlow – on his Instagram getting fit for a tour," Astley said with a laugh. "I'm like, 'Gary, calm down, will you, for God's sake!'" He confessed that Barlow's dedication is a benchmark. "So I think that, if anything, is probably a New Year's resolution. I need to get more active – I'm relatively active, but I really need to step it up big time."
When asked if he would directly emulate Barlow's regime, Astley sighed in mock defeat. "I don't know about that. He's a machine, Gary!"
Lessons from a Take That Tour
Astley's respect for Barlow's work ethic stems from firsthand experience. He supported Take That on their 2019 tour and was struck by the band's professional dedication.
"One of the things that I thought was amazing about all three of them was how conscientious they were about the gigs," he recalled. "They get fit for those gigs. They're not like going, 'oh whatever, give us the money, we'll just roll out and do a few tunes'. It's like, 'no, this tour's gotta be as good or if not better than anything we've ever done before, every time'."
He believes this effort creates a "reciprocal" relationship with their fans, leading to gigs that are pure "mayhem." While Astley jokes that he doesn't have complex dance routines—"I pick up a guitar occasionally and walk around pointing at people"—he is adamant that his own performance demands better fitness. "I've still got to get fitter than I am," he concluded, setting his clear goal for 2026.
