Take That’s Howard Donald reveals Nineties girlfriend and how he kept her a secret
THEY were held up as five of the most eligible bachelors during the Nineties, with fans led to believe that the Take That lads were all single in their pop heyday.
But Howard Donald has now confessed he had a secret girlfriend when the group hit their peak – and he said he went to extreme lengths to keep her under wraps.
Howard explained: “I have to apologise to one of my girlfriends.
“When I turned up with my girlfriend at the house, I used to get her on the back seat, duck down in between the seats and put a blanket over her. I’d drive up the back and I had these steps leading down to where the house was.
“I’d go down and talk to the fans purposefully so they disappeared – then she could come down and come into the house.
“You were so on edge about having a girlfriend.
“Honestly, in my head, I thought I am going to behave for a few years.
“I thought, ‘Have I got enough money to build a tunnel that goes through the wall and to where the car park is?’ ”
Howard used to try to fool his management by saying he needed time off to visit his mum, when in fact he was heading out to see his secret girlfriend.
Speaking on the new episode of their Take That: This Life podcast, out today, Howard added: “I’m apologising now.
“Sorry, Christine, that I had to put you through that.”
The group are now a trio, with Howard sharing the stage with bandmates Gary Barlow and Mark Owen.
They will be back on tour next year.
Nicki: It's my gift to humanity
NICKI MINAJ fans will have to wait a little longer for her new album after it was delayed yet again.
The record, her first in five years, had been due out on October 20 and was later delayed until November 17.
Speaking on Instagram, Nicki revealed: “It will come out on my birthday December 8. It’s been changed for some time now behind the scenes. This will be the biggest gift I have ever given humanity.
“I can stand by that and I will bet any amount of money that Pink Friday 2 is going to make people fall in love immediately.”
Her last few albums have been damp squibs, so I’ll wait to see how good it is.
WHAT MAKES EMILY RED HOT?
EMILY RATAJKOWSKI looked all fired up in this black minidress and red scarf after revealing her surprising turn-on.
She posed in the frock at an event for haircare brand Kerastase, having been part of its recent ad campaign.
But earlier in the day she opened up on her podcast High Low With EmRata about what gets her going, during a chat with the rapper BIA.
When Emily asked the US musician what turns her on, Bia said: “Every time somebody tells me I can’t do something and I get it done, I’m like, ‘Ooh yeah’.”
Agreeing, Emily said: “It’s like the ultimate motivation – ‘You thought I couldn’t do that!’ I’m the same way, honestly. Nothing motivates me more than that.”
Easy new album for Kaisers
KAISER CHIEFS will kick back into action in 2024 with a new album and UK tour.
The band, fronted by Virgin Radio’s Ricky Wilson, will drop Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album on March 1 and it will include their new single Feeling Alright, co-written with Nile Rodgers.
Speaking about the track, Ricky said: “On the first day with Nile, he said, ‘What have you got?’ We searched through some jams we had and this was a song that stood out for him.
“The band loved playing it, but we never really knew where it would find a home.
“Nile turned out to be the best estate agent and found it a home almost immediately.”
The release of the ten-track record will be followed by an eight-date tour, kicking off in Torquay on April 11.
JACK IN GYM WIN OVER BATS
JACK GREALISH has been injury-prone on the pitch but now he’s making sure he has everything to keep him fighting fit.
The Man City midfielder has won a planning permission battle to build a leisure suite at his £5.6million Cheshire mansion, including a gym, swimming pool and treatment room.
The luxury facility will also boast a cold plunge pool, sauna, steam room, juice bar and games room.
He originally hit a snag after bats were found and conservationists called for a survey as they are a protected species.
His estate already boasts a helipad, tennis court, golf green, Japanese garden and lake.
Jack bought the mansion with his fiancée Sasha Attwood last year.
But given the huge home boasts more activities than Center Parcs,
I’m surprised they ever see each other.