Take That won’t tour until 2018.
The ‘Could It Be Magic’ hitmakers celebrate 25 years together in 2017, but won’t be performing live to celebrate for some time afterwards as they want part-time member Robbie Williams – who will go on a solo tour next year – to join them on stage, though former bandmate Jason Orange won’t be back
Speaking to the new issue of HELLO! magazine, Gary Barlow – who is joined in the band by Mark Owen and Howard Donald – said: "We are still trying to work out the reunion.
"We are looking at a tour in 2018 and we’ll drop the album at the very end of next year. But these things can change, at the moment that’s what we are hoping for. Robbie will hopefully come along but Jason is happy staying where he is for now."
Robbie recently admitted he was keen to return to Take That again, but would be too busy with his solo work to do so next year.
He said: "When is the 25th anniversary? Next year? 2017? I don’t know if I can. I have plans, I have a tour, there’s stuff to be doing. I don’t think it’ll be next year but I think it’ll be at some point.
"I’m a floating member. And I’m really proud of what we do and what we create when I’m in the band. We’ll wait and see when our paths collide but I don’t think it’s going to be next year."
And the 42-year-old musician – who releases his eleventh studio album ‘The Heavy Entertainment Show’ in November – was disappointed that Jason decided to leave the band because it affects the group’s "chemistry" but appreciates his decision.
He added: "What did I make of Jason leaving? This line of work is not for everybody and I don’t think this line of work is for Jay, for whatever reasons. Whatever reasons they are, they’re good reasons and enough for him to act on it and to take himself away from the whole thing.
"And I think that’s a shame for Take That because chemistry is chemistry and what the boys have got and what we’ve got is really special, and when somebody leaves it depletes it. But I think that Jason really has to live Jason’s life. What would I like? I’d like for him to be in Take That. But I don’t live his life and I just hope he’s happy doing whatever it is that he’s doing."
Take That set for live return in 2018
