X Factor: Gary Barlow reveals depth of depression after Take That split

 

The X Factor judge describes a period of three years after the boy band's break-up when he was ''embarrassed'' to be himself and tormented by the failure of his own solo career. The award-winning singer-songwriter said: ''I was living in Cheshire at the time, going to London and back on the train. ''I used to heavily disguise myself, with a hat and everything. I was overweight, I wasn't feeling great. I was embarrassed to be me, to have people recognise me.'' Barlow said he became so full of self-loathing that he began to overeat, piling on five stone. He also refused to pose for any photographs - even at his own children's christenings.