Where is Jason Orange now as Take That release new album 10 years after he quit
Jason Orange left fans heartbroken when he announced he was quitting Take That in 2014.
The singer insisted he'd had the 'best years of his life' with the chart-toppers, and assured the band's loyal followers that while he had spent “some of the best years of my life with Take That”, he 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 said in an emotional statement.
Describing Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen as his “brothers”, Jason said he told them during a band meeting that he wanted out. “There have been no fallings out, only a decision on my part that I no longer wish to do this. 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.”
Fans were baffled as to why the singer would want to give up the gig, which saw him amass legions of loyal followers worldwide. But Jason, now 53, was adamant he wouldn't return. He even missed out on Take That’s appearance at the Coronation Concert in May to celebrate King Charles’ accession to the throne, despite furious speculation that Jason would return for the one-off gig. As Take That get ready to release their new album and announce a new tour, almost 10 years after Jason’s departure, we take a look at his life away from the spotlight.
Mark Owen explains Jason Orange's absence
After Jason quit, Gary, Mark and Howard Donald continued to perform as a trio. They 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.
Take That's Howard has so many cars he's run out of room to store them all
”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 told The Times.
They reunited with Robbie in 2010, and embarked on a huge tour (Getty Images)Jason's 'off grid' life
Frontman Gary was reportedly desperate for Jason to rejoin Take That. The singer previously 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.“
The singer has never spoken about his decision to life off-grid (Getty Images)
Jason issued a statement when he left in 2014, but has kept silent ever since (Getty Images)Living a 'quiet life' in the country
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.”
Jason was spotted cycling around London earlier this month (NASH / BACKGRID)
Fans are hopeful he'll return to the band one day (Dave Hogan)Spotted in London
However earlier this year, Jason was seen in North London. Pushing his bicycle, the singer cut a casual figure wearing a grey cap, blazer, navy trousers and boots.
It's not known where he was heading, but Jason didn't look a world away from the heartthrob fans fell in love with when Take That made their debut in the nineties. He was later spotted earlier this month cycling through the city, looking carefree and relaxed. And while it looks unlikely he'll join Gary, Howard and Mark in the near future, they’re hopeful he’ll change his mind and return to the pop band that made him famous.
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