Just six months after Take That delighted fans with the news that Robbie Williams was rejoining the band, Gary Barlow has warned it may not be permanent.
After years of both sides denying they would reunite as five-piece, the solo star joined the group last July, releasing a new album and planning a sell-out UK tour.
But co-hosting the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show yesterday to mark his 40th birthday, Barlow revealed the situation may only be temporary.
Temporary? Gary Barlow made the admission about Robbie Williams' future with Take That as he co-presented a Radio 2 show with Chris Evans, who gave him a cake for his 40th birthday
Barlow joined Chris Evans' Breakfast Show yesterday morning ahead of his actual 40th birthday today.
And the lengthy broadcast gave Barlow plenty of opportunity to talk about the situation with Take That.
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He said: 'I think even moving forward, I know we’re back with Rob right now, but we still see our future as a four-piece band.
'We see Take That as a four-piece band in general.
Birthday boy: Barlow leaving the BBC Radio 2 studios yesterday after co-hosting the Chris Evan breakfast show'When we came back in 2005 we had the conversation, "Can we do this as four?" Thanks to the fans who bought the records, we proved we can.'
Robbie rejoined Take That last summer 15 years after he walked out on the group at the peak of their Nineties fame.
The remaining members Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald disbanded in 1996, before reuniting in 2005.
After Robbie rejoined, their latest album Progress became the fastest selling album of the century when it sold 235,000 copies in one day upon its release in November last year.
'A four-piece band in general': Barlow suggested Robbie's return to the band wasn't a long-term acquisitionTickets for their Progress Live Tour - which kicks off in May - also broke sales records for shifting 1.1million tickets in one day when they went on sale.
Meanwhile Barlow will be performing songs from his 20 year career at his 'GB40' birthday concert at Shepherd's Bush Empire in West London tonight.
Friends, family and fans will join Barlow to celebrate his landmark birthday at the gig, which will be broadcast live on Radio 2 between 8 and 10pm.
Profits from the gig will go to charity.
