Take That’s Gary Barlow shot to stardom in the 1990s (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
He is one of the best-known members of the 1990s boyband , but it’s fair to say has achieved just as much success outside the group as he has as one of the founding members.
Not only is he a successful solo artist – as proven by his chart-topping album Music Played by Humans – but the 54-year-old is also a musical theatre maestro, TV judge and much more.
In addition to his successful music credits, the dad-of-three also had a brief acting stint in Star Wars, Miranda and the Keith Lemon: The Film.
But one acting role that will surprise many was his role in the British police procedural drama, Heartbeat. The beloved drama was a hugely popular Sunday afternoon show which was set in the heart of North Yorkshire in the1960s which aired for 18 years.
In 1999, the musician took on the role of hitchhiker Micky Shannon in the show’s 150th episode special. He even performed All That I’ve Given Away from his 1999 album Twelve Months, Eleven Days.
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He had a surprising cameo role in the ITV soap Heartbeat (Image: ITV)
However, Gary later confessed that the role was neither successful nor profitable, describing it as “one of the worst things I’ve ever done.”
Looking back on his role on the soap, he confessed that he only earns approximately 78p a year in royalties for his short-lived stint.
Speaking about his cameo, Gary once said: “Oh f***ing hell. I swear that thing will not leave me. It’s funny, when it gets repeated on something like Gold I get a cheque.
“And, I got one this year for 78p, so it wasn’t even a financial decision. It was just one of the worst things I’ve ever done, it really was.” It comes after Gary revealed his plans for his future after taking some time away from music.
The hitmaker is launching a brand-new TV show, which launched in November, called Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa. Joined by his famous friends, Gary explored the country looking for the most authentic food and drink experiences around.
During an interview on This Morning ahead of its launch, Gary and host discussed turning 50 and his future plans, as he revealed his hope of getting back into music again next year and turning back to songwriting.
When Ben asked Gary for advice about hitting the milestone, he said: “Any of my demons in life, I tried not to bring with me into my fifties. I think it’s a good time to get rid of stuff.
“I think it should be your power years. I think it’s the opposite of what you think you need to do – try and do more, not try and do less. Rather than think you’re going to wind down.
“Especially given your kids have all gone off to university. I think the real goal now is to look after yourself and look after one another. One thing I’m always trying to protect in all of it is to remember the only reason I do all of this is because I’m a songwriter.
“As long as at some point, it always comes back to that, that’s the well I always need to go and fill up.”