Gary Barlow - The Pain Behind The Pleasure

Very few people have experienced Gary Barlow’s level of success and fame. He’s the lead singer of the nineties British pop band Take That, he’s won 6 Ivor Novello Awards for song writing & composing, sold more the 50 million albums and filled stadiums of screaming fans across the world! But despite all this, as we’ve come to learn, he’s one of the nicest, most genuine people going around.
In this episode, Gary shares his experience of rising to such fame, and what happens when he lost it.
He opens up about the devastating burden of jealousy between him and bandmate Robbie Williams, his journey with disordered eating, the loss of his daughter Poppy and the love of his life, the one constant through it all - his wife.
So sit back and pour yourself a cup of vulnerabilitea, this is a big one.
00:00 - Welcome Gary Barlow
12:55 - Loneliness on Tour
17:51 - Love at First Sight (Sort Of)
20:58 - The Strings of Being Famous
25:06 - Music as the Answer
28:25 - Robbie Williams, Comparison and Happiness
34:30 - Eating Disorders and Self Worth (Trigger Warning)
45:35 - Losing a Child
49:50 - Married to a No Non-sense Woman
52:31 - Being Grateful
To buy tickets to Take That’s upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand visit: bit.ly/3INExGA.
To hear Ryan’s episode on shame & jealousy, mentioned in this episode, follow this link: link.chtbl.com/D_21alUg
To hear Hamish Blake’s episode on his friendship with Ryan & Hugh, follow this link: link.chtbl.com/IppXW33h.
To listen to Gina Chick’s episode, follow this link link.chtbl.com/Ginachick.
The Robbie Williams documentary is available on Netflix: bit.ly/493WWta.
For film recommendation ‘Salt Burn’ follow this link: apple.co/3x3GvQp.
To purchase your own set of Vulnerabilitea House Cards, follow this link: bit.ly/3PBFlkR
If you or someone you love is experiencing disordered eating, we recommend the following organisations:
The Butterfly Foundation bit.ly/48YCSZe
Eating Disorders Families Australia bit.ly/3TLU7J5
Uncovery bit.ly/3x4IOCO
This episode with Gary Barlow includes a discussion about disordered eating and a conversation about a child who was delivered still born. If this feels like too much for you right now, please come back to this episode when you're feeling ready.
The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

[@IreneNasvall]

Gary Barlow is a beautiful human being ❤

[@NancyPreiss]

Such a gentleman...love Take That and especially Gary

[@user-ek6xm6qs8e]

Gary can’t imagine what a motivation he is in many ways. To carry on when everybody says “you are shit” is the biggest thing a person can achieve. No matter what you do, you may dig trenches as well as write books or music, but carrying one with your life and trying and making effort is what’s important. Gary helped me a lot to understand that. Love you, Gary, thank you, guys, it’s one of the best Gary interviews I have seen. Thank you for being so attentive to him from all the fans.

[@Danielle-ml8nk]

Worldclass interview- heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. You didn't even need to know who the bereaved father in the room was, it is enough to look at Gary's face and you could see how much he's grieving. Hats off to the interviewers for creating such a safe space full of empathy where they let Gary share just as much as it felt right for him. The respect I have for him is going thorugh the roof, he really is such a gentleman.

[@nancypoquet-ln2mr]

What a beautiful interview, Gary is always so nice when responding, he is loved very much!😍❤️👏🏻

[@Lovelifeandtravel]

First met Gary & the lads in 1992 when my Boyfriend at the time was a journalist for a local newspaper and had to go interview them at an under 18’s gig they were doing in Mansfield. He invited me. They were not that well known at that point. They were all so lovely. So normal and Down to earth. I have a photo of me sat on Gary’s lap with the guys around me 😂 The rest as they say is history. Going to the UK to see them perform next month and seeing them here in Brisbane in Nov. I love how he speaks of the lads and his wife. Such a nice guy ❤

[@IsabelleKessie]

What an amazing, insightful and inspiring episode! Massive respect to Gary- it must have taken so much bravery to talk in such an open, authentic way and show himself so vulnerable. He comes across as a true gentlemen. And also respect to the interviewers who asked such thoughtful and interesting questions but in the most empathetic and gentle way.

[@lauraespina5957]

What a great interview! Gary is just amazing! Great interviewers, too.

[@vivienneflynn6104]

Loved hearing this Captain you're so amazing,gorgeous,stunning and an outstanding Showman the best 🎵🎤🎹🎶🦋🦋🦋🌞xxxooo

[@GPoth-bc9rx]

Danke schön für dieses Interview! Es sollte mehr von Euch Interviewern geben, so emphatisch, authentisch und ehrlich. Und ein Gary Barlow, der sympathischer und aufrichtiger nicht hätte sein können. Auch durch Eure feinfühlige Art und sensible Fragestellung. Liebe Grüße nach Australien ein Fan von Take That aus Deutschland 🙋🏼‍♀️🎼🎵🎶

[@YasminHartley]

Loved this podcast Gary 😁🫶😘💙

[@marta_martuchi]

Fantastic, thank you to share it ❤❤

[@caryeddy6928]

I love this ❤

[@90wpm]

This was a really interesting and insightful interview/podcast thank you

[@Leanne-ut3sj]

I can't imagine anything harder for an interviewer than to ask your guest about the death of their child. These interviewers were outstanding, especially Hugh who handled Gary with so much calm and gentleness while also making sure that he doesn't feel under pressure to share more than he was comfortable with. And hats off to Gary for being so courageous to talk about all those difficult topics, I imagine many people will draw strength from his words.

[@Oliver-ti7ld]

Being form the US, I had no idea who Take That/Gary Barlow were until the Closing Ceremony for the Olympic Games in 2012, where they performed ''Rule the World'' just a few days after Gary's daughter died. I cannot remember seeing something more heartbreaking and courageous at the same time. I am now a big admirer of the guy and am impressed that he fights to carry on after what must be the most horrible experience someone can go through. Thank you for the interview, it was really inspiring!

[@lucipedrangelo2650]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤