Take That's Howard Donald proved he's still got the balance for a high-wire act as he took a nostalgic and wobbly trip down memory lane this week. The singer, 57, was seen relearning how to ride a unicycle, a staple of the band's legendary 2009 'Circus' tour, as preparations ramp up for their massive 2026 stadium comeback.
The Great Unicycle Comeback
In a video shared on Instagram on Thursday, Howard Donald was supported by his wife, Katie Halil, as he prepared to ride the single-wheeled vehicle for the first time in 26 years. Pulling away from Katie, who timed his attempt, Howard managed to ride unassisted down a rehearsal room corridor, staying impressively upright. Evidently chuffed with his effort, the singer quipped: 'There you go, it's like riding a bike!'
This practice session is for the highly anticipated revival of 'The Circus: Live' tour, which the trio – Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald – will embark on in the summer of 2026 across the UK and Ireland. The original 2009 tour holds the record as the fastest-selling in history, with over 600,000 tickets sold in under five hours.
Bandmates Pull Out All the Stops
Howard isn't the only one putting in the hard yards. Bandmate Gary Barlow, 54, has also been rigorously training for the upcoming dates. He recently documented his workout at the exclusive Lanserhof at The Arts Club in London, where annual memberships start at a staggering £6,500 plus a £1,500 joining fee.
In posts to his Instagram Stories, Gary was seen wearing a VO2 max mask while jogging on a treadmill, captioning one snap: '6 months to go to the Circus Tour.' The band confirmed the tour in September, announcing it will be followed by a brand-new album, their tenth, later in the year.
A Spectacular Return 'Bigger and Bolder'
The revived 'The Circus: Live' promises to bring back the extravagant spectacle that made it a fan favourite. The 2009 show featured fire-breathers, stilt-walkers, and a huge 30-foot-tall mechanical elephant that carried the band through the audience. The 2026 tour will see the band perform the original setlist but has promised new surprises.
The tour will kick off in Southampton on May 29, 2026, before visiting Coventry, Sunderland, Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, and London. The Script, who supported on the original tour, will return as special guests for the UK shows alongside Belinda Carlisle. Notably, Jason Orange will not be joining the reunion, having left the band in 2014.
Speaking about their return, the band said: 'The Circus tour was one of our favourite experiences as a band... We're so excited to welcome audiences old and new across the UK and Ireland to the spectacle of The Circus Live next summer.' With one member back on one wheel and another in peak physical condition, Take That's 2026 comeback is already rolling at full speed.
