Take That - Barlow Wouldn't Rule Out Robbie Reunion

TAKE THAT star GARY BARLOW has been getting closer to ex-bandmate ROBBIE WILLIAMS - and would love him to rejoin the band.

Williams quit the boyband to pursue a solo career in 1995, and the four other members - Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald - disbanded the group in 1996, but reunited for a hugely successful tour 10 years later.

Earlier this week (beg08Dec08), Angels singer Williams said he would "love" to rejoin the group - and Barlow has hinted it could be a possibility at some stage.

He tells Britain's The Sun newspaper, "The band has been having great fun with Robbie over the last few months and we've been talking a lot. It's been really good getting to know him again."

And Barlow has reassured fans that Williams' past drink and drugs troubles are behind him: "He has sorted himself out and is in a really good place at the moment."

And, on British morning show GMTV, he added, "It's like no time has passed."

But despite their reignited friendship, Barlow has ruled out his former bandmate joining them on their tour next year (09).

He says, "Robbie will not be coming on tour with us next year because he's got his own things to do. But we are not ruling out getting together with him beyond that."

However, bandmate Howard Donald is hopeful of a surprise appearance from Williams: "You just never know when he's gonna pop outta that box."