BREAKING: Take That's Jason Orange now - new look and career U-turn as he shuns bandmates

Take That fans are crossing everything for a Jason Orange comeback ahead of their huge announcement today.

Jason left fans heartbroken and confused when he announced he was quitting the band in 2014 after their huge Progress tour.

The singer insisted he'd had the 'best years of his life' with the chart-toppers but no longer wanted to be part of the band. “There have been no fallings out, only a decision on my part that I no longer wish to do this,” he clarified in a parting statement.

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Describing Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen as his “brothers”, Jason said he told them during a band meeting that he wanted out. “I know how much Mark, Gary and Howard enjoy writing and making music, and they know that they have my full support and encouragement to continue on with what is to be another chapter for the band," he said.

Fans were baffled as to why the singer would want to give up the gig, but Jason was adamant he wouldn't return and stuck to his word. Since walking away, Jason has missed out on Take That’s appearance at the Coronation Concert, a huge world wide tour and two best-selling albums.

As Take That fans ponder if he could finally be back, we take a look at Jason's away from the spotlight.

Why did Jason Orange quit take that?

After Jason quit, Gary, Mark and Howard Donald continued to perform as a trio but were forever dogged by questions about what happened to Jason who had seen to be like their brother over the years.

In a revealing interview, the boys finally opened up about their pal's break from the band, insisting they're still friends with the dancer, as they are with Robbie Williams, who quit in 1995. “I think he felt he didn’t want to do it any more,” Mark explained of Jason's decision to leave. “But I’m not going to speak for him.

”He's still here anyway. The other day we were trying to work out who the best joke-teller in the band is and remembered how Jason always laughed before he got to the punchline,” he said in an interview The Times.

Is Jason returning to Take That?

Fans have been hoping for news that Jason will be making a shock comeback with Mark, Gary and Howard set to make an announcement today.

The band's logo has appeared on stadiums across the UK overnight, appearing to tease a new tour is on the way.

Venues where the famous T's have appeared include Manchester's Etihad Stadium, Cardiff's Principality Stadium, Glasgow's Hampden Park, Sunderland's Stadium of Light, and St Mary's Stadium in Southampton

All will be revealed later today when the group make an official announcement later on today. Naturally eager fans have been in overdrive on social media speculating as to what the news could be.

Videos of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen have been dropped on the band's Instagram throughout the week. The trio are seen dressed up like circus performers in striped tops, braces and loose fit trousers as they are seen getting ready for a show.

This has led some to believe the news is a 20th anniversary revival of The Circus tour, which followed their album of the same name in 2006.

Jason's 'off grid' life

Frontman Gary was reportedly desperate for Jason to rejoin Take That again after he quit. But after several attemps told The Sun: “Jason isn't coming back. Take That is Mark, Howard and me for the next few years.“

In 2018, Howard revealed Jason had stopped responding to calls and appeared to have completely gone off the grid to live a more “normal life“ in the countryside. “Jason has gone off the grid. He's not taking emails or phone calls or stuff like that. That's good for him,“ he told the Loose Women panel. “That's where he wants to be. I think he wants to be a million miles away from this at the moment.“

Reclusive life

Since quitting fame, Jason was said to be living a life away from the limelight in the Cotswolds. Little is known about the star's personal life, but Gary previously said: “At the end of the day you’ve got to accept someone doesn’t want to do what you’re doing any more.

“He wanted to go off, live his life and good luck to him if that’s what he wants to do. He’s spent a big part of his life being in the band, but he doesn’t want to do it any more, it’s that simple.“

In 2020, Jason was spotted queuing in a dry cleaners in the picturesque village of Chipping Norton. The former boy bander was said to be house hunting in nearby Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire as an insider told the Sun: “Jason booked into a hotel in Stow and spent the week looking around the area eyeing up houses.”

Love life and Catherine Tate rumours

Jason Orange was linked to comedian Catherine Tate. The unlikely relationship between the comedian and musician was reportedly a “whirlwind” romance.

The duo were said to have dated from late 2011 until early 2012. John Bishop spilled the beans on the unlikely coupel and said it was Catherine who made the first move. The pair got together after meeting for the first time following a Take That spoof video for Comic Relief.

Catherine portrayed Jason in a role that formed part of a Take That-themed spoof video for Comic Relief. The video featured Take That members such as Gary Barlow and Mark Owen themselves as well alongside comedians such as James Corden, Alan Carr, John Bishop and David Walliams.

John, who was part of the skit, claimed Catherine made the first move on Jason. He said at the time they were dating: "I was there when Catherine Tate - who was playing Jason Orange and looked like Jason Orange - was talking to Jason Orange and said to him 'maybe we should have a coffee, can I get your number?'.”

It took six months for the pair to meet again when they supported David Walliams during his Sport Relief swimming challenge. Their first date was a tour around William Shakespeare’s house and the pair went to see a Royal Shakespeare Company performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Rare sightings and new look

Over the last few years, Jason has been spotted out and about in North London. Jason is now 54 and rocking grey hair and stubble after making the decision to quit one of Britain's biggest boybands ever in 2014.

In September last year, Jason was pictured sipping coffee outside The Ivy and then later returning to his Mercedes to find he was the recipient of a parking fine. Jason looked smartly dressed as he held a coat from fashion brand Autograph and left the top buttons on his shirt undone to reveal his chest.

Change in career

Last month, news emerged of Jason's new career - which is very unlike his pop star past. The singer entered into business with the former Leicester City player and Celtic manager, Neil Lennon.

Jason is the co-owner of the property business Nine The Firs, alongside Lennon, with a source confirming the ex pop star “prefers to live a quiet life out of the spotlight but has got a real flair for property.” The duo are said to have become friends after playing together a charity football match.

Take That's varied fortunes

Back in the 90s and 00s, Jason had been a household name and one of the most recognisable faces in the country thanks to his Take That fame.

The chart-toppers suffered a blow when Robbie quit the band in 1995, with the remaining members deciding to part ways after a brief spell of being a foursome. The group then reunited as a 'man-band' with Robbie joining them in 2015 for an album and tour before taking his leave once again.

Mark, Gary, Jason and Howard appeared to go from strength to strength as a four-piece until Jason shocked fans by announcing he was quitting for good in 2014.

The stars are said to be on good terms despite past grievances between them. Earlier this year it was revealed that Robbie was the richest member of the band after amassing a net worth of £222million.

Gary Barlow - who remains the chief songwriter of the group - also has an impressive bank balance - helped also by his TV appearances including as a judge on ITV's The X Factor. The dad is said to be worth £101 million while Mark Owen's net worth is estimated around £32 million, Jason Orange’s around £24 million, and Howard Donald’s is approximately £20 million.

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