Gary Barlow has announced that he will not be able to reprise Take That's "The Circus" tour for a third time, citing age-related challenges and stating he "physically can't" perform the show again. The 55-year-old singer recently concluded the elaborate reprisal of the tour, which originally captivated audiences in 2009.
Following the final performance in Dublin on Saturday, Barlow shared an emotional statement on X (formerly Twitter). He acknowledged that while previous tours offered the comfort of knowing another would follow, he believes "The Circus" will not return. "I was 38 when we originally did this show, and I have to say it's been a whole other challenge doing it as a 55-year-old," Barlow wrote. "I just can't see a way I could physically do this show again. So, it's with an extremely heavy heart that I leave The Circus in my past. I got to run away with The Circus twice."
Despite the physical limitations, Barlow described the recent tour, performed with bandmates Howard Donald and Mark Owen, as their "best ever." He posted on X, "Best tour ever - to say that 35 years into our career is saying something #circuslive."
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Barlow also detailed his preparation for the demanding tour, which began in May. In December, he shared his involvement with the luxury wellness clinic Lanserhof at The Arts Club. His regimen included using a VO2 max mask during treadmill runs and undergoing leg muscle strength tests. He documented his fitness journey on Instagram, posting photos of himself training, receiving blood tests, and undergoing assessments, often with a lighthearted tone about his physical condition.
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The singer's announcement comes after a period of personal reflection, including discussions about his past struggles with weight and an eating disorder during the 1990s following his solo career's initial challenges and the band's 1996 split. Barlow has previously spoken about feeling overlooked after Robbie Williams's success and the intense public scrutiny he faced.
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Barlow is now looking towards new projects, stating, "Now I'm running towards our next exciting, brand new show."