Take That's Howard Donald opens up about his mental health and becoming a dad again in his 50s
He's found it tough
Howard Donald is part of one of the biggest boy bands from the last few decades. With hits like 'It Only Takes a Minute', 'Relight My Fire', and 'Babe', Take That made regular appearances at the top of the charts in the 90s.
They first split in 1999, but after reuniting they returned with even more successful songs, including 'The Flood' and 'These Days'
Howard has four children, including daughters Grace (22) and Lola (15), and his newest additions Bowie (four) and Dougie (three). In a recent interview on Dave Berry's podcast, Dadpod, Howard opened up on what it was like becoming a dad again now that he's in his 50s.
In the candid conversation, Howard revealed, "I think, at 52, which is what I am, I've really struggled in the 50s being a father. I've actually really taken it physically and mentally, draining for me…I would advise to fathers who maybe already have children that may be in their teenage years, don't do it. In (your) 50's don't do it.
The singer continued, "That's my personal experience. I'm sure there's people out there in their 50s that have found it a doddle, maybe they've got, you know, babysitters and nannies and stuff like that, maybe not, maybe they're really struggling as well, but, I've really struggled with it and I would never advise anyone in their 50s to have young children."
He went on to reveal that his 15-year-old daughter Lola has also decided to move in with him which has been a learning curve. "We've put her in a school, and it all happened very quickly… I'm learning again because I've never brought her up underneath the same roof. So, all of a sudden, she comes here at 15, which is the worst age ever, apparently, so I'm told."
Despite the full house Howard explained, "The amazing thing is, she wanted to come over here and be in England because she wanted to start again, year 10 and do her GCSEs here, but she really wanted to be with her family.
"You know, she wanted to be together where her brothers are here and her, her other sister's here who's in London and I think it's really good for her."
Reflecting on his singing career, Howard revealed that his first daughter was born three years after Take That split for the first time in 1999. At the time he wished his daughter had been able to see him on stage performing, however when the band reformed in 2006 Grace was able to see him.
Most recently, on Take That's last tour, Howard explained how, "Lola had Bowie and Dougie on her shoulders in the pit, while we were performing on stage, watching us…"
Howard also opened about men's mental health saying, "There's a lot of people suffering behind closed doors that don't wanna talk about it and that's, kind of, what I've done, you know?
"When I've been struggling with children, you know, your friend will talk to you about and you, sort of, hide it a little bit."
Dave Berry’s Dadpod is available to download every Thursday from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the Absolute Radio app, absoluteradio.co.uk, and all mainstream podcast providers.
If you love podcasts then you'll also love Fleur East's podcast about the Reality of Reality TV:
Episode 1: RuPauls' Drag Race UK winner - The Vivienne
In Episode 1 is all about RuPaul's Drag Race UK, the gruelling work involved in the show, why drag is not just fab make-up and a gorgeous body, and what REALLY happened in that 'red wig and silver dress' moment. 👀
Next episode lands Tuesday 14th July, make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out.
Episode 2: The X Factor's Janet Devlin
"Do I swallow that, or be the girl who throws up on national television?" Quite the conundrum for Janet Devlin, singer-songwriter, and finalist on The X Factor, who joins Fleur East on The Reality of Reality TV.
Episode 3: Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond has been on a lot of Reality TV shows, but there are some she wouldn't go on, Fleur East caught up with her to find out what she wouldn't go on.
Episode 4: Love Island's Amber Gill
Since leaving the famous Love Island villa, Amber has remained in the public eye, so we were over the moon to have her join The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, when she revealed how she really felt after THAT Casa Amor moment.
Episode 5: Vas J Morgan
Vas J Morgan is known for appearing on The Only Way In Essex (TOWIE) between 2014 – 2019 as well as Celebs Go Dating, so we couldn't wait to hear his realities of Reality TV.
Episode 6: JB Gill
JLS singer JB Gill admitted that they saw The X Factor almost as a last resort. The band had been working together for 18 months before they went on the programme, but as JB explained they'd tried every avenue before.
Episode 7: Harry Redknapp
Coming from a background of football, Harry Redknapp seemed an unlikely contestant on I'm A Celebrity when he took part two years ago, but he describes his experience on the show as life-changing, saying he, "Learnt to laugh again."
Episode 8: Vicky Pattison
Former Geordie Shore star and I'm a Celebrity winner, Vicky Pattison joined Fleur East to talk about her experiences of Reality TV and how two of the biggest shows she's been on differed in their support and preparation.
Episode 9: Jordan and Perri from Diversity
Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely are part of the very successful Britain's Got Talent winning group Diversity, and have opened up to Fleur East on her podcast The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East about the hate they received and how they dealt with the haters.
Episode 10: Kerry Katona
Kerry Katona needs no introduction and in her own words, 'you hear before you see her!'. Through highs and lows, husbands and children, she's been gracing our reality TV screens for almost twenty years. So in the final episode of this series of The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, she speaks openly and honestly to one of our absolute Queens of Reality TV.
READ MORE:
Fleur East's The Reality of Reality TV