A new Netflix documentary has unveiled the complex truth behind Jason Orange's eventual departure from the iconic pop group Take That, revealing that a reunion with Robbie Williams was the only thing that kept him in the band longer than he intended.
The Comeback That Almost Wasn't
In their candid new film, the remaining trio of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen discuss the band's turbulent 2005 comeback. After the successful documentary Take That: For The Record aired, the four members—minus Robbie Williams—were offered a chance to reform. Mark Owen admits the group was uncertain, stating they "didn't really know what reception it would have, whether anybody even cared."
Following a tipsy night where they attempted their old dance routine for Pray, they agreed to a tour. The Ultimate Tour in 2006 sold out arena dates in one morning, marking their first performances since the 1996 split. The financially successful run reportedly earned each member over a million pounds after tax.
A New Dynamic and Growing Weariness
The comeback led to new music, including the smash hit Patience. A significant change was the royalty split; Gary Barlow agreed to share songwriting earnings, a move he had previously refused. "When we came back…everyone wanted to write, and I realised this takes pressure off me," Barlow reflects in the documentary.
However, after subsequent tours like Beautiful World (2007) and Circus (2009), Jason Orange's enthusiasm waned. Gary Barlow sensed his bandmate's growing discontent: "I knew Jason was leaving. I think he'd found it hard coming back. I felt like to keep Jason, we've got to get Rob."
Robbie Williams: The Temporary Lifeline
The band's strategy to retain Orange hinged on a full-scale reunion with Robbie Williams. Howard Donald confirms Jason "promoted it quite heavy," wanting the original five-piece back together. The plan worked temporarily. After meeting in America and collaborating, Williams joined for the monumental Progress Tour in 2011, which was another huge success and delayed Orange's exit.
But the reprieve was short-lived. At the tour's conclusion, Orange finally quit, with Robbie Williams returning to his solo career. Howard Donald recalls the emotional moment: "After that last show, Jason sat us all down and said, 'Listen, I don't want to be in the band anymore.'" Donald describes it as a "scary time," echoing the feelings of the band's 1996 split.
Mark Owen notes the significant shift, stating, "It was a big moment for us, because now we've gone from five on stage to three of us. We've lost two members." Despite the loss, the trio decided to continue. As Howard Donald puts it, "We’re not young whipper snappers anymore, but we're still out there selling tickets, and we're hungry."
The Netflix documentary Take That is released on Tuesday, January 27.
