11 June 2023 , 08:02
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Take That have finally explained Jason Orange's 10-year break from the group after confirming he won't be returning.
The singer, 52, quit the band in 2014 after saying he did not want to tour or record music with the Pray stars.
Fans were bereft when Jason left, but Gary Barlow, 52, Mark Owen, 51, and Howard Donald, 55, continued to perform as a trio.
They've now opened up about pal's break from the band, insisting saying 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.
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Jason Orange (fourth from left) shot to fame with Take in the nineties (Getty Images)"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.
Frontman Gary was reportedly desperate for Jason to rejoin Take That, but he is now living a life away from the limelight with his family in the Cotswolds.
Gary 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."
Take That fans half-hoped Mr Orange would rock up at the Coronation concert when the band took to the stage in May.
Gary, Mark and Howard performed together on stage for the first time in four years at the special event and wowed fans with tracks including Shine and Greatest Day before finishing off with Never Forget.
However, viewers were gutted when they realised Jason had been replaced by Britain's Got Talent's Calum Scott.
"Now would be a great time to bring Jason on guys!!! #CoronationConcert," one wrote, as another added: "All we need now is Jason and Robbie." A third shared: " #CoronationConcert get jason orange back."
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After the Coronation, Jason was spotted browsing for property outside an estate agents.
Sporting a blue beanie hat and dark coat, he appeared to be in good spirits as he flashed a smile for the camera.