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Take That star Jason Orange was spotted in a somewhat awkward situation in a rare public sighting.
The 90s pop star, now aged 54, was photographed being slapped with a parking ticket.
After stopping off for an al fresco coffee at The Ivy in London, he noticed a parking ticket had been left on his classic Mercedes.
However, he did appear to fly under the radar, with many passers-by seemingly not recognising the star – who was once part of one of the most successful boy bands on the planet.
He was spotted sporting dark glasses and casually slung a jacket over one shoulder and was rocking some stubble and grey hair.
After leaving the hit group Take That in 2014, Orange has largely kept out of the public eye.
The performer was one of the five original members of the band, which also included Robbie Williams, 50, Gary Barlow, 53, Howard Donald, 56, and Mark Owen, 52.
Forming in 1990, Take That went on hiatus in 1996 before reuniting in 2005, but without Robbie after he had earlier quit the band in 1995.
However, nine years later Jason announced he was officially leaving the group.
At the time of his departure in 2014, Jason explained: ‘I want to start by saying how proud I am of what we have achieved together over the years.’
‘I have spent some of the best years of my life with Take That and I’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey, including my bandmates, who I feel are like brothers to me,’ he added.
However last year his former bandmates admitted Jason had become ‘difficult to get hold of’ since leaving the group.
‘I don’t know where he is. He’s difficult to get hold of, and I believe that’s the way he wants it,’ Howard told The Sun.
‘When an album is coming out he’ll send an email saying, “I wish you all the success in the world”. And then the next day you try replying to it and it’s a no-reply email address.
‘Wherever he is, I really hope he is happy.’
Gary admitted the lack of contact would be ‘easier’ to cope with if they had had a blazing row with him before he left the band, because then they’d have been able to understand his absence.
‘It’s a tricky one with Jay. I almost think if there had been a big argument it would be easier, but there wasn’t,’ he added.
‘He just wanted a change in his life. But he does keep an eye on us. And it’s nice to know that.’
They also added that regardless of the lack of contact, they’d still happily welcome him back if he ever wanted to re-join the band.
Now, after keeping things low-key in recent years, Orange has reportedly left music behind entirely and entered the property business with Celtic football legend Neil Lennon.
A source told The Sun : ‘Jason and Neil have known each other for a fair while and played in a charity football game together some years back.’
They continued: ‘Neil has a firm and Jason has come on board.
‘Jason prefers to live a quiet life out of the spotlight but has got a real flair for property.’
Apparently, Orange has already sold his first place, with customers raving about his ‘lovely’ and ‘professional’ manner.
A version of this article was first published September 21, 2024.
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