Gary Barlow

Widely acknowledged as the most naturally talented member of Take That, Gary Barlow went on to prove his credentials with a strong solo career which included writing hits for other artists, ranging from Shirley Bassey to Charlotte Church and Will Young. Barlow started off singing cover versions on the northern club circuit and in 1989 recorded a single Love Is In The Air, which was never released. It was then he was auditioned by agent Nigel Martin-Smith, who wanted to form a boyband, which resulted in Barlow becoming lead singer, primary songwriter and keyboard player with Take That throughout their amazing run of success. He wrote first UK Number 1 Pray, which made the boys one of the biggest bands of the 1980s and 1990s. Tipped as "the next George Michael", Barlow launched his solo career after Take That's split with two Number 1s, Forever Love and Love Won't Wait, and his 1997 debut solo album Open Road also went to Number 1. Second album Twelve Months Eleven Days (1999) was a flop in comparison but he continued to be in great demand as a writer, producer and musical collaborator until Take That decided to reform and embark on another huge run of success in 2005.