06 October 2023 , 20:40
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Although she's now engaged to US screenwriter Jeff Gutheim, comedian Catherine Tate has had some interesting high-profile romances before finding the one, including a relationship with a Take That member. Sparks flew between the singer and Catherine, 54, back in 2011. Ahead of Catherine's appearance on The Graham Norton Show, we look back on her love story with the star, which includes a suitably comedic meet-cute.
Catherine and Jason Orange first locked eyes following a Take That spoof sketch for Comic Relief, in which she played Jason. The spoof "Fake That" vid featured actual Take That members Gary Barlow and Mark Owen, as well as comedians James Corden, Alan Carr, John Bishop, and David Walliams.
Jason fancied funnygirl Catherine for months before they got together, telling friends: “She’s got great legs”, the Mirror learned at the time. After the sketch, Jason told a pal: “She looked stunning.” A source said: “Jason seemed very taken by Catherine during filming. She was great fun and really got into the spirit of it. They obviously hit it off.”
The pair first met following Catherine's 'Fake That' skit for Comic Relief (Hamish Brown)During a 2011 appearance on The Graham Norton Show, John, who played Howard Donald in the fun skit, claimed that Catherine had been the one to make the first move, claiming: "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?' And he said 'Yeah'. Now they are supposedly seeing each other."
John added: "It must be odd fancying someone that looks like you, but I think, good luck to them. They are both lovely people." Things didn't exactly move quickly however, and the pair reportedly didn't meet again until six months later, after they both turned up to support David Walliams during his Sport Relief swimming challenge.
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Catherine allegedly made the first move (London Media)
Jason is known to be a very private person (REX/Shutterstock)They then enjoyed a very cultured first date, which kicked off with a tour of William Shakespeare's house, followed by a Royal Shakespeare Company performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Unfortunately, things weren't to be, and Catherine and Jason eventually called it quits in 2012, after spending New Year's Eve apart.
In February 2012, a source told The People: "Jason is a very private person and after it came out that he and Catherine were getting closer together it did affect their relationship. There was a lot of pressure on them and it caused them to go their separate ways for a bit but they are still very good friends."
The Graham Norton Show airs Fridays at 10:40 pm on BBC One, and can be streamed via BBC iPlayer