Gary Barlow on his new album, Take That fan James Corden and meals with Manilow

Virgin Radio

1 Dec 2020, 11:01

He’s been the prince of pop since 1990 and he’s the nicest man in music. The legendary Take That star Gary Barlow talks about his new star-studded album, his bromance with long-serving Take That fan James Corden and eating out with Barry Manilow. 

Gary Barlow, 49, joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky earlier to chat about his new album and collaborating with everyone from Michael Bublé to Alesha Dixon to Beverley Knight and James Corden.

He told Chris: “It’s an album with mates to be honest. For anyone who's done duets, they are a nightmare. They're done with the labels and the managers, and I just can't be bothered with it. 

“So I just phoned up a load of mates. Michael Bublé was probably the trickiest because he was in Vancouver and so we didn't actually get in the room with him, but we've known each other for long enough to be able to do over the phone - but it was just terrific.” 

And how did he bag the almighty Manilow?

“I actually know him quite well and it's quite strange because when I started playing in the social clubs when I was 11, if I ever wanted to get the crowd going, I'd play Copacabana.

“It’s weird because I go out to dinner with him when I'm in California and I have those moments where I think, ‘I used to play this when I was like a teenager’.”

And what’s the man himself like? “He is an amazing musician… and he's really funny.

“He's very sarcastic especially for an American, but he gets the sarcasm very well. I love his company and he's obviously got great stories because he's old school.”

How did the James Corden's bromantic collaboration come about? 

Gary said: “Morecambe and Wise used to do ‘buddy songs’ and it always fascinated me… so this is my buddy song on this record. 

“Now, what it does is it completely embraces how British men are to one another in the way that when we tell each other we love each other, we insult each other. 

“So of course there was only James that could be on this track. We're friends, he’s a great singer and he's got obviously a great sense of comedy. It was a pleasure to have him on it and I'm very proud of it.”