Nineties pop icon unrecognisable ten years after quitting chart-topping band for life out of the spotlight
TAKE That star Jason Orange looked very different as he was seen wheeling around London on a bike.
The 53-year-old retired singer looked suave and handsome while sporting a new buzz cut and a trendy cap.
Jason gripped the handlebars of his bottle green bicycle and hugged the curb while enjoying the sunshine in the capital.
The star rolled up the sleeves of his blue shirt, which he had teamed with long cream shorts and suede slip-on clogs.
He travelled light with just a canvas pannier strapped to the front of his bike.
The sighting comes after Jason quit the iconic boy band, which he had been member of for over 20 years, back in 2014.
He shot to fame in the five-piece line-up, alongside Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Robbie Williams, and Mark Owen.
Robbie left the group in 1995, and the band split the following year in 1996.
However, they then reformed as a four piece in 2005, with Jason firmly part of the fixture.
So it came as a shock to fans when almost a decade later, he announced he was off.
It was such a surprise as there had been no indication that he was considering leaving the group – with Jason and the band assuring fans that there was no ill will between them.
Then in an interview in June 2023, Take That gave more of an insight into why the popular band member suddenly quit.
Speaking to The Times, Mark Owen said: “I think [Jason] felt like he didn’t want to do it any more.
Before adding: “But I’m not going to speak for him.”
Mark then went onto talk about how much they miss him, telling the newspaper: “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.”
At the time of his departure in 2014, Jason said in a statement: “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 band mates, who I feel are like brothers to me.”
He added that he simply no longer wished to be in the band anymore or dedicate his time to touring the world and writing new material.
The remaining members of the band revealed at the time that they had been aware of his feelings for a few years and that they “fully respected” his decision to leave.
Jason has never spoken on the subject since and the band have made it clear that there is no chance of him returning.