Gary Barlow has revealed the death of his daughter will be a “scar he will die with” as he reflected on his heartbreaking loss.
The Take That frontman who recently launched his one-man show on London’s West End opened up during A Different Stage to a packed audience.
Gary, 51, treated fans to stories about his life and growing up in Cheshire to stories about being part of Take That who at one stage was the biggest band of their day.
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During the show, he openly discussed his battles with alcohol and cannabis as well as his experience with bulimia.
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
The hitmaker also candidly spoke about how his wife of 22 years, Dawn, tragically have birth to their daughter Poppy who was stillborn, just days before he was set to perform at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Speaking to the audience, Gary said: “It’s August 2012, Dawn has gone for a last-minute check-up, only four days to go, we’re all so excited.
“Name is on the nursery, Moses basket, cot, clothes all over the floor waiting for the main player to arrive.
(Image: Future Publishing via Getty Images)
“Dawn calls and something’s wrong, now this is one of those phone calls where you live a lifetime in a second.”
He went on to add: “We all have coping mechanisms, back there was the bulimia and the hallelujahs in the toilet.
“I’m not saying just having a run is going to cure it, but those were my coping mechanisms, I dealt with this by turning into bloody Inspector Gadget.
“OK everybody, ‘what to do’ lists, peak to the doctors, tick, clothes for the hospital, tick, somewhere for the kids to go, tick, the only problem is Inspector Gadget doesn’t have a gizmo for this.
(Image: Getty Images)
“It was like someone sitting in our house and saying, ‘The journey you are about to take is going to end in a car crash’ [and] then sadly handing you the keys.”
Gary explained he was dreading seeing his daughter after Dawn had to be induced but he added that the “light filled the room was just magical” the moment Poppy was born.
“Over that next hour we took turns nursing her, cuddling her, having pictures taken with her, hands, footprints, just anything to try and extend those short 60 minutes, he said.
(Image: officialgarybarlow/Instagram)
“But the nurse came and told us our time was up, we kissed her goodbye and off she went,” before adding that there were “no words” for the strength shown by Dawn.
Gary continued: “I found myself back in that familiar place, not knowing any of the words or where to stand, nor what to say.
“I needed to accept this wasn’t a scar that was going to heal with time, this was a scar I was going to die with.”
The hitmaker revealed that his hit song Let Me Go was about Poppy’s life, saying that it was a “real lesson into what’s important.”
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity). You can call them on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
