Take That frontman Gary Barlow, 55, has generated significant fan excitement with his recent appearance and a new promotional video for the band's single "Sweet July." The singer showcased a noticeably altered physique, which fans lauded as a "glow up" on social media.
Barlow was seen in a video dancing down a corridor with bandmates Howard Donald and Mark Owen, mimicking a popular online trend. The clip was shared as Take That promotes their latest single. Fans reacted enthusiastically in the comments, with many noting Barlow's youthful appearance. Comments included "Gary looks so young here" and "Gary has only gotten better since ‘92."
Wellness Preparation
The singer's improved appearance comes after he revealed in December that he had been attending the luxury wellness clinic Lanserhof at The Arts Club. Memberships at the facility reportedly start at £6,500 annually, with an additional £1,500 joining fee. Barlow shared several updates from his time at the clinic, including photos of himself wearing a VO2 max mask during a run, having blood tests, and using a leg-extension machine. He captioned one post about his physical assessments, "Still in one piece."
These preparations were reportedly in advance of The Circus Tour, which commenced in May and is scheduled to conclude this Friday. Barlow had previously expressed his excitement for the high-energy tour, though he noted he was significantly younger when he last performed such shows.
Past Struggles and Public Image
Barlow has been open about his past struggles with his weight and body image. In a Netflix documentary, he reflected on the band's split in 1996, describing a period of 13 months where he did not leave his house. During this time, he gained weight, which he initially saw as a way to avoid public recognition.
He detailed developing an eating disorder in the 1990s following a less successful solo career, admitting to feelings of jealousy towards former bandmate Robbie Williams. Barlow described cycles of binge eating and purging, which led to his weight reaching 17 stone at its peak. He recalled a moment in 2003 where he decided to change, a process that he said took approximately 10 years to recover from.
Fans also commented on the appearances of Donald and Owen, with one noting Donald's attire in the video and another observing how young Owen appeared. Barlow's fellow X Factor judge, Nicole Scherzinger, also commented on his physique, remarking, "What the Sam ham!? Gaza you are ripped! smoke show, gun show!"