It’s now been 12 years since Jason Orange of Take That fame quit the band, leaving fans devastated.
The former pop singer, 55, left the spotlight in favour of a more conventional life back in 2014.
Take That was originally comprised of Gary Barlow, 54, Howard Donald, 57, Robbie Williams, 51, and Mark Owen, 53, as well as Orange.
In recent months the remaining three members of the band have delighted fans with the news that their Circus Live tour is hitting the road next summer, with a documentary about the pop group also being released on Netflix this week.
Although some thought former members Robbie and Jason might take part, it was clear from the start the documentary would only feature the current line-up.
Simply titled Take That – the documentary ‘features 35 years of rare archive, never-before-seen footage, personal material plus brand-new interviews with Gary, Howard and Mark’.
It’s also been teased that the series ‘offers an intimate look at the highs, the heartbreaks, and the enduring legacy of one of the UK’s most successful bands of all time’.
What is Jason Orange doing now?
In recent years the remaining members have frequently been asked about the possibility of Jason’s return.
‘You’d need to ask him,’ Barlow told The Mirror when asked last year.
‘But the door’s always open. For everyone. Robbie included. We’re a three-piece at the moment, but I’d never say never. Because this band always surprises me. But not on this particular occasion.’
As it turns out, Jason is too busy to join in on the tour. He’s been keeping things low-key in recent years, leaving music behind entirely and entering the property business with Celtic football legend Neil Lennon.
A source told The Sun: ‘Jason and Neil have known each other for a fair while and played in a charity football game together some years back.’
They continued: ‘Neil has a firm and Jason has come on board.
‘Jason prefers to live a quiet life out of the spotlight but has got a real flair for property.’
Apparently, Jason has customers raving about his ‘lovely’ and ‘professional’ manner.
Why did Jason Orange leave Take That?
Jason was originally in the band between 1990 and 1996 and reunited with them all, minus Robbie, in 2005.
However, in 2014, he announced he was officially leaving the group for good and has rarely been seen or heard from since.
When announcing his departure from the band, he told fans: ‘I want to start by saying how proud I am of what we have achieved together over the years.’
‘I have spent some of the best years of my life with Take That and I’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey, including my bandmates, who I feel are like brothers to me,’ he added.
He was the second member of the group to exit, with Robbie famously leaving to pursue a solo career in 1995. Since 2014, Barlow, Owen, and Donald have continued as a trio.
Owen told The Times in June 2023: ‘I think [Jason] felt like he didn’t want to do it any more, 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.’
Press attention regarding the Take That documentary has revealed that the other band members have reportedly struggled to contact Jason in recent years.
Gary admitted recently that he and his bandmates only hear from him sporadically nowadays. He stated that it comes as a surprise, as there is no real reason for the lack of contact.
‘It’s a tricky one with Jay. I almost think if there had been a big argument it would be easier, but there wasn’t,’ he added.
‘He just wanted a change in his life. But he does keep an eye on us. And it’s nice to know that.’
Donald added that Jason is ‘difficult to get a hold of’ even when he does reach out.
‘He’ll send an email saying, “I wish you all the success in the world”. And then the next day you try replying to it and it’s a no-reply email address,’ he said.
The special has been directed by Bafta-nominated director David Soutar and produced by Gabe Turner.
It remains to be seen whether Orange will continue to avoid all things Take That and focus on his newfound career – but fans are still holding out hope.
A version of this article was originally published on September 26, 2025.
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