Gutted by a Boy Band

[przed]

Got home from seeing a Cirque du Soleil show with the family to find the news that Jason Orange has quit Take That.



I've been suspecting this might happen for a while, and also suspecting that I'd be a teary mess when it did, and I was right on both counts.

TT has been the fandom of my heart for a while now, and I've been looking forward to seeing them in concert pretty much since I stumbled into the fandom. I'm sad that when they tour next year--and I still do want to see them when they tour next year--that it will be without Jason.

Comments

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

Oh, Pauline! I feel you, you know I do. I'm at work, at my desk and I admit I've placed my rainbow bubbles next to my tissue box in a bid to survive this day somehow. Wish me luck.

I'm not yet ready to really think about it all and about what will come and be now, all I know it's not the end of the world (of course not!), but still something of significance has ended and that's so so sad.

*big big hugs*

PS: The picture you chose, my dear, the picture...Quick! I need to blow more bubbles!!

[przed.livejournal.com]

I'm at work, and definitely have my tissues within easy reach.

And no, it's not the end of the world, but it is the end of an era. Though hopefully the beginning of something new.

::big big hugs back::

p.s. I was looking through my collection of Jason pics, and they were all so smiley, which felt wrong. Then I found this one...

[asilia.livejournal.com]

I feel so heartbroken :( Take That have been my big love since I was 13 and this is just so sad...

I'm not overly surprised - Jason has never quite enjoyed the attention that comes with being in TT, has he? And he's never been as involved in the creative process either, liked to stay in the background. Still... It feels like the beginning of the end, like it did when Robbie left, all over again...

[przed.livejournal.com]

I've only loved them a little over three years, so I can only imagine how heartbroken you are.

And no, I wasn't at all surprised. But I did keep hoping that we'd start seeing him back with the boys, and that he'd get a new song, and sing a few leads in the upcoming tour. I have a feeling he'll be happier now, because he really doesn't seem to enjoy the fame that comes with being in the band (and I can't blame him) but it doesn't soften the blow.

[asilia.livejournal.com]

At least I can feel a bit more rational about it, put things in perspective etc. It's still heartbreaking but not as "My entire world is collapsing" as it felt when Robbie left (I was 13 then and with no internet, it was just easy to believe the happy image they had at the time...).

I hope he'll be happy now and that this was the right decision for him. I'll miss him so much and I really hope they'll bring it around full circle, another album, another tour and then ending it in a beautiful way, if they end it.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Even when I was at my weepiest yesterday, I didn't have the my entire world is collapsing feeling either, thankfully. Though I did keep getting funny looks from my husband. And an Irish co-worker who's also a Thatter came my to make sure I hadn't gone off the rails. *g*

I am very much looking forward to the new album, and a tour. And yes, if they decide to put the band to bed, I expect they'll do it in a classy way.

[forthewistful.livejournal.com]

That's it then, hm? The end of an era. Truly sad news to start the day with, though not entirely unexpected. I don't feel like crying yet, but maybe I'll watch a few TT-DVDs tonight and shed some tears in the process.

I'd have loved to see Jason on stage with the other guys for one last time too, but alas!

♥

[przed.livejournal.com]

The end of an era indeed, though you're right that it wasn't unexpected. I've had a surprising number of teary moments. (The Sweetie has been bemused but supportive.)

Since I only truly got into them at the beginning of the Progress tour, I haven't yet seen them live. And now I shan't be able to see them with Jason.

::hugs::

[forthewistful.livejournal.com]

I know you haven't seen them live yet, which makes me hope that you'll get to see them as TT3 in 2015. It definitely won't be the same without Jason, but I'm sure it's going to be great nonetheless.

After their reunion people thought TT4 would be weird, but it was all fine without Robbie. And it will be the same without Jason now. Well, only that my favourite member has left TT for good, but that's fine. He hasn't been happy in the band for quite some time now (maybe he never truly was?) and I'm glad that he finally worked up the courage to leave. Must have been such an incredible bitter-relieved-happy-sad moment.

*hugs back*

[przed.livejournal.com]

I am still very much planning on seeing them next year, even if it is TT3.

And yes, I can seeing being out of the band being a relief for him, if a bittersweet one. (I can empathize with him wanting to get out of the limelight--I'd never trade their wealth for the sort of fishbowl lives they must lead--even while I'm still sad that it means I won't get to see him live.)

::sigh::

(And on a purely selfish note, I'm now contemplating whether I have the stomach to complete the 7,000+ word AU I've been working on all summer. ::sigh again::)

[moonlightmead.livejournal.com]

Aww, I am sorry! They are such an important thing to you, I know. I expect TT fandom is an emotional place right now.

*hugs* - and yes, do see them next year.

[przed.livejournal.com]

This is two fannish things that have made me cry this year, starting with Lew's death. (But at the Sweetie has sensibly pointed out, Jason isn't dead, just not in the band.)

TT fandom is very emotional at the moment. But I'm sure we'll soldier on. And I'm totally going to see them next year, though I imagine it's going to be a different sort of show.

::hugs back::

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

I immediately thought of you when I heard the news......why do good things always have to change?

[przed.livejournal.com]

All things must change, but I was surprised at how gutted I feel. Especially since, if we're all honest, this news has been expected for a while. (Of all of them, Jason has clearly been the least comfortable with the fame the band forced upon him.)

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

Oh crap, I'm sorry to hear this news - your lovely fandom must be very miserable today :(

[przed.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks. There will definitely be tears shed today by more than me. :(

[rangerke.livejournal.com]

I hope he will be happier now he’s made his decision, even though he always looked so in his element on stage. I’ll miss seeing him dance and smile and hearing him sing…

At least the others feel confident enough to continue with the three of them, but no more (dance) partner for Howard, no bickering wife for Mark. Now there really is a piece missing.

Just very, very sad…

[przed.livejournal.com]

I do imagine he'll be happier now. He's such a paradox in that he always seemed to enjoy the performing, even if he clearly found the trappings of fame problematic. But yes, I'm sad I've missed the chance to see him dance and hear him sing live.

I am glad that the others are going to continue, though there will definitely seem to be a piece missing. (No Jason and Howard lifting Mark over a piano during Shine!)

Very, very sad as well.

[mad-lemming-89.livejournal.com]

*hugs tight* I know how you feel - I haven't had a bubble but I didn't really sleep last night at all; amazing that a band can do that to you, isn't it? :(

Echoing what you said though that this is very sad, but not entirely a surprise. It's been obvious that things haven't been ok for a long while now. So whatever he goes off and does, I hope it makes him happy, and I hope the other three are ok as well.

But I think for me, it's really not going to sink in until the next round of promo begins and he's not there... :(

[przed.livejournal.com]

::hugs back:: I didn't sleep much myself, and I'm amazed that I'm that upset.

The wheels seemed to come off for him at the end of the Progress tour, didn't they? At least, that's when he mostly seemed to disappear from view. But I do rather suspect he'll be happier not being in the band, and I hope the others still find joy in it all.

But he was such an essential part of the band, especially during interviews, that I'm afraid you're right that it's really going to hit again once the promo starts.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, petal, as I know how much you love not only TT but Jason too. ♥

[przed.livejournal.com]

He's always the one you most want to talk in interviews because he's quick-witted and smart. It'll be sad seeing them without him.

[norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com]

I was really sad when I read about this :( I was in university when Robbie left the first time, and we were devastated then too. I always liked Jason, even though he didn't get quite as much attention as some of the others. *hugs*

[przed.livejournal.com]

It wasn't entirely a surprise, but it's still made me unexpectedly sad. Jason didn't get the attention of the others, but he seems a lovely bloke and I'll miss seeing him in the band.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Oh honey, I'm so sorry that's taken away your chance to see them all together (although honestly who knows for the long term future, eh?) And I'm sad he's not feeling happy to stick with it, but on the other hand I'm finding I'm not hugely surprised either. It's a loss for TT undoubtedly, but I hope that'll mean more happiness for him, whatever he needs that to be... I wish he did feel comfortable doing something (if not the band) in the spotlight, because he's so entertaining and a great individual, but I have a feeling he doesn't want the spotlight at all. Perhaps that's what I've always found so endearing about him. I hope he visits their tours still - a group hugging picture would help a lot...

*huggggggs* ♥

[przed.livejournal.com]

I'm sad I won't get to see him with the others, and very sad I won't see him dancing with Howard. (Or the two of them lifting Markie over a piano.) But I'm not really at all surprised he decided to leave. (In the last story I finished I had him quit the band as a way to working through my anxiety of just that happening. Of course, I had Howard track him down and bring him back.)

And I also very much hope Jason finds happiness outside of the band. I can completely understand him wanting to be out of the spotlight; I wouldn't want to sort of fishbowl lives they must lead for anything. I'd also like to see him continue doing something in public life because he's articulate and funny and charming, but I think it's more likely he'll disappear completely into private life. Though you're right that a group hugging picture wouldn't come amiss.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

It makes me even more happy than I already was that his dancing really did get showcased (with Howard) in 'Progress Live', even if he didn't get a solo that time. I hope he knows that although he's part of the band we love, he also has many fans who love him specifically (given how the media love to joke about 'the other ones at the back' and pretend not to know his name). This quiet and private streak is part of what I like so much about him, but then, paradoxically, I want to see him having it! *g*

I wonder if there's an injury issue at all? Just from following the tennis recently, there can be these niggles and doing the dancing may be more of a strain now than it was before...

We can still have TT4 and TT5 all together in AU fic worlds, though *g* Thank goodness for fic *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely sad I couldn't manage to swing over for the Progress tour, but it is lovely that he and Howard had such a prominent number in it. And yes, let's hope he does know that he has fans who will miss him terribly. Robbie clearly appears to. I love in the MSN interview they did for Progress when Jason says he went from being most popular to least in the band in about a week, Rob is the one who pops up and says he's read the YouTube comments and there's loads of people that appreciate him.

And I totally agree about loving him for being private, but then wanting to see him displaying his private streak. Hmmm...

An injury isn't beyond the realm of possibility. I think I remember Howard saying he was still struggling with his ankle injury during the last tour, and Jason had problems with his shoulder. Then again, the crazy boy did run two triathalons last year, so he's still got some mileage left on him. *g*

And yes, thank goodness for fic!