Jason Orange left fans heartbroken and confused when he announced he was quitting Take That in 2014. The singer insisted he'd had the 'best years of his life' with the chart-toppers - who are the guest performers at this year's EE BAFTA film awards - but no longer wanted to be part of the band. “There have been no fallings out, only a decision on my part that I no longer wish to do this,” he clarified in an emotional statement.
Describing Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen as his “brothers”, Jason said he told them during a band meeting that he wanted out. “I know how much Mark, Gary and Howard enjoy writing and making music, and they know that they have my full support and encouragement to continue on with what is to be another chapter for the band," he said. Fans were baffled as to why the singer would want to give up the gig, which saw him amass legions of loyal followers worldwide. But Jason, now 54, was adamant he wouldn't return and stuck to his word. Since walking away, Jason has missed out on Take That’s appearance at the Coronation Concert, a huge world wide tour and two best-selling albums.
As Take That entertain the A-list at this year's BAFTAs, over 10 years after Jason’s departure, we take a look at his life away from the spotlight. After Jason quit, Gary, Mark and Howard Donald continued to perform as a trio but were forever dogged by questions about what happened to Jason who had seen to be like their brother over the years. In a revealing interview, the boys finally opened up about their pal's break from the band, insisting 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.
”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 said in an interview The Times. Frontman Gary was reportedly desperate for Jason to rejoin Take That again after he quit. But after several attemps 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.“.
Since quitting fame, Jason was said to be living a life away from the limelight in the Cotswolds. Little is known about the star's personal life, but Gary previously said: “At the end of the day you’ve got to accept someone doesn’t want to do what you’re doing any more. “He wanted to go off, live his life and good luck to him if that’s what he wants to do. He’s spent a big part of his life being in the band, but he doesn’t want to do it any more, it’s that simple.“.
In 2020, Jason was spotted queuing in a dry cleaners in the picturesque village of Chipping Norton. The former boy bander was said to be house hunting in nearby Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire as an insider told the Sun: “Jason booked into a hotel in Stow and spent the week looking around the area eyeing up houses.”. Over the last few years, Jason has been spotted out and about in North London. Jason is now 54 and rocking grey hair and stubble after making the decision to quit one of Britain's biggest boybands ever in 2014.
In September last year, Jason was pictured sipping coffee outside The Ivy and then later returning to his Mercedes to find he was the recipient of a parking fine. Jason looked smartly dressed as he held a coat from fashion brand Autograph and left the top buttons on his shirt undone to reveal his chest. Last month, news emerged of Jason's new career - which is very unlike his pop star past. The singer entered into business with the former Leicester City player and Celtic manager, Neil Lennon.
Jason is the co-owner of the property business Nine The Firs, alongside Lennon, with a source confirming the ex pop star “prefers to live a quiet life out of the spotlight but has got a real flair for property.” The duo are said to have become friends after playing together a charity football match. Back in the 90s and 00s, Jason had been a household name and one of the most recognisable faces in the country thanks to his Take That fame.
The chart-toppers suffered a blow when Robbie quit the band in 1995, with the remaining members deciding to part ways after a brief spell of being a foursome. The group then reunited as a 'man-band' with Robbie joining them in 2015 for an album and tour before taking his leave once again. Mark, Gary, Jason and Howard appeared to go from strength to strength as a four-piece until Jason shocked fans by announcing he was quitting for good in 2014.
