Gary Barlow opens up about the tragic death of his daughter
He's opened up in his new book
Author: Ruby NorrisPublished 1st Oct 2018 Last updated 1st Oct 2018
Gary Barlow has opened up about the tragedy of losing his daughter Poppy who was stillborn at full term just days before his performance at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony.
The Take That singer has spoken of his grief and the impact Poppy's death has had on him and his wife, Dawn, for the first time in his autobiography A Better Me. In the book Gary says, 'After Poppy died, people wrote to me about suffering the same awful experience. Many had kept so much of it locked away in secret.
'I’ve wondered about the value and purpose in sharing something so private, but I’d have been denying Poppy her legacy not to. Maybe sharing our story will help others talk about theirs.'
Gary also wrote, 'The practical considerations are as grotesque as they are absurd,' as he explained the process of inducing the birth and meeting their daughter for the first time.
Describing the moment Poppy was born, Gary wrote, 'Poppy looked perfect and for an hour she was alive to us. She’s in your arms, this beautiful little daughter of ours, a sister to our three other children.
'Then the reality comes rushing into the room and all the air leaves your lungs. It felt like someone had a hand held tight at my throat. The nurses start hovering and they want to take her away. What we experienced and saw over those 24 hours no one should have to see or have to go through.'
Opening up about why he hadn't spoken publicly about Poppy before, Gary explained he went into 'coping mode' adding that he used his work as an 'effective painkiller', keeping his diary full as a coping method.
Gary and Dawn Barlow
Gary shares more details of the lasting effect Poppy's death has had on his family in his book A Better Me, out on 4th October.
The Take That singer is a Patron of Child Bereavement UK, which supports families when a baby or child dies or when a child is bereaved.
The release of Gary's new book comes just a week after he, along with Howard Donald and Mark Owen, announced a new tour for Take That. Take That's 'Greatest Hits Tour 2019' will see the group performing at various locations across the UK celebrating 30 years of the band.
Take a look at Take That through the years:
Take That (1991)
Take That's original line-up of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Robbie Williams.
Gary Barlow opens up about the tragic death of his daughter
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Take That (2017)
Take That continue as a trio to this day.
Take That (1991)
Take That's original line-up of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Robbie Williams.
Take That (1992)
In 1992 Take That had hits with 'It Only Takes a Minute', 'A Million Love Songs' and 'Could It Be Magic'.
Take That (1993)
Take That had huge success in 1993 with 'Pray', 'Relight My Fire' (featuring Lulu) and 'Babe'.
Take That (1994)
The band's success continued in 1994 with 'Everything Changes' and 'Sure'. Here they are performing at The BRITs 1994.
Robbie Williams (1995)
Robbie Williams left Take That in 1995.
Take That (1995)
The remaining members of Take That continued to perform as a quartet.
Take That (1996)
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Jason Orange performed at The BRITs in 1996.
Take That (2005)
After a break of nearly 10 years, Take That members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Jason Orange reformed in 2005.
Take That (2006)
Take That performed on The X Factor in 2006. In 2006 they had a Number 1 single with 'Patience'.
Take That (2007)
In 2007 Take That embarked on their 'Beautiful World' tour.
Take That with Robbie Williams (2010)
Robbie Williams made an unexpected return to the group in 2010 for the wildly successful album, 'Progress' and its live tour.
Take That as a trio (2014)
In 2014, Jason Orange announced he would be leaving the group and they continued as a trio made up of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.
Take That (2017)
Take That continue as a trio to this day.
Take That (1991)
Take That's original line-up of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Robbie Williams.
Take That (1992)
In 1992 Take That had hits with 'It Only Takes a Minute', 'A Million Love Songs' and 'Could It Be Magic'.
Take That (1993)
Take That had huge success in 1993 with 'Pray', 'Relight My Fire' (featuring Lulu) and 'Babe'.
Take That (1994)
The band's success continued in 1994 with 'Everything Changes' and 'Sure'. Here they are performing at The BRITs 1994.
Robbie Williams (1995)
Robbie Williams left Take That in 1995.
Take That (1995)
The remaining members of Take That continued to perform as a quartet.
Take That (1996)
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Jason Orange performed at The BRITs in 1996.
Take That (2005)
After a break of nearly 10 years, Take That members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Jason Orange reformed in 2005.
Take That (2006)
Take That performed on The X Factor in 2006. In 2006 they had a Number 1 single with 'Patience'.
Take That (2007)
In 2007 Take That embarked on their 'Beautiful World' tour.
Take That with Robbie Williams (2010)
Robbie Williams made an unexpected return to the group in 2010 for the wildly successful album, 'Progress' and its live tour.
Take That as a trio (2014)
In 2014, Jason Orange announced he would be leaving the group and they continued as a trio made up of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.
Take That (2017)
Take That continue as a trio to this day.
The tour will kick off with a series of arena shows across April and May and then move to outdoor stadium shows in May and June.
As well as the tour, Take That also confirmed the release of ‘Odyssey’ a re-imagined greatest hits album that will take you on a journey through the incredible musical history of one of the UK’s most successful bands of all time.
Tickets for Take That’s 'Greatest Hits Live Tour 2019' are on sale NOW from Aloud.com.
