Gary Barlow has admitted that Take That's gruelling Circus tour left him feeling his age, as the 55-year-old pop veteran appeared tired and drawn while out in London's Notting Hill.
The singer was spotted heading out for a bite to eat with a friend, swapping his stage outfits for a baggy black jumper, tracksuit bottoms and a baseball cap. He still had enough energy for a glass of wine with wine expert and social media star Tom Gilbey at celeb restaurant Dorian.
Tour pushed him to his limits
The low-key outing came after Barlow confessed that the Circus tour had pushed him to his physical limits. He was just 38 when the band first performed the show, but recreating the demanding routines at 55 proved a different challenge.
He told fans: “I just can’t see a way I could physically do this show again. So, it’s with an extremely heavy heart that I leave The Circus in my past.”
Best ever tour and family escape
Despite the aches and pains of getting older, Barlow hailed the comeback tour, which wrapped up in Dublin in July, as the band's best ever. The dad-of-three then escaped to a Mexican resort with his family to recharge, and later reassured fans: “I’m continuing to stay active and keep fit post-tour, and I’m enjoying having the time to do it.”
He proved he hadn't completely lost his mojo by flashing his toned torso in a string of shirtless holiday snaps.
Back in the studio and new wine series
The singer is now back in the studio working on Take That's next album with bandmates Howard Donald and Mark Owen.
Barlow, known for his love of wine, travelled across New Zealand filming a series on the country's vineyards alongside comedian Jason Manford. The pair's trip took them from Auckland to Queenstown, Central Otago, Blenheim, the Marlborough Sounds and Hawke's Bay, with the country's food, wine, people and spectacular scenery all on the menu.
The series is the third instalment of Barlow's global food and wine travels, following earlier adventures in South Africa and Australia. This time, he brought his long-time friend Jason along for the ride, with the pair meeting producers, chefs, winemakers and local communities along the way.
Jason said the trip was “one of the biggest privileges of my life” and admitted he had never seen such an incredible country. He also joked that getting to discover wine with Gary and a host of experts was part of the fun, while praising the scenery, food and people they encountered.
