Posted June 9, 201213 yr He has accepted it according to The Daily Mail And it has now emerged that The Queen is giving the Take That star an OBE as a reward. According to The Sun Gary’s appointment will be announced next Saturday as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. As well as organising the star-studded event the 41-year-old singer also found time to pen Sing along with Andrew Lloyd Webber using 210 voices from the Commonwealth. The OBE will not only reflect his success with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations but it also includes a nod to his long musical career. A source told the paper: 'The Queen was delighted with Gary Barow's brilliant work and dedication. She made it clear he should be rewarded at the first available opportunity.' Gary is said to have been told of the news and the source added: 'He was quite surprised but he has accepted it.' 12,000 people gathered in front of Buckingham Palace on Monday to watch the four hour concert. Gary took to the stage along with Cheryl Cole to sing Need You Know but their performance was missed by The Queen who arrived mid-way through the concert. However the singer greet Her Majesty on stage with a bow before Prince Charles gave a speech to honour his mother. Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Tom Jones, Madness and Kylie Minogue were just some of the acts who performed at the huge showbiz event.
June 9, 201213 yr Fantastic to see Gary getting the recognition he deserves for his contribution to music and charity! The first step towards the Knighthood!
June 15, 201213 yr Gary Barlow: From the club circuit to the Palace One of the UK's most successful songwriters, Take that frontman Gary Barlow has become an OBE in the Queen's birthday honours list. Singer, songwriter and fundraiser are just some of the caps worn by Gary Barlow who has been made an OBE in the Queen's birthday honours list. The 41-year-old father of four's career began more than 20 years ago, playing the northern club circuit as a solo singer for less than £20 a show. He would go on to find worldwide success with Take That, one of Britain's biggest and most successful pop groups. As well as writing 11 UK number one singles over the past three decades, Barlow has had three solo chart topping singles and two number one albums. In recent years, he has become increasingly known for his charity work and TV projects including judging on The X Factor and organising the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert. In a statement, Barlow said: "I'm absolutely thrilled and feel very privileged to be in the company of so many brilliant people who I know have received an OBE. "Growing up I never dreamt that one day I'd be getting one myself. "I enjoy every minute of the work I do, with a lot of it being a reward in itself, so for somebody to decide I should get recognised for that is just amazing. My family are very proud." Early Career As a member of the pop sensation Take That, Barlow wrote most of the group's songs including Pray, their first number one UK single. The song also won Barlow an Ivor Novello for Best Contemporary Song in 1994. His 1995 song Back For Good, topped the chart in more than 30 countries and is considered one of the most successful songs ever released by a boyband. In his 2006 autobiography, Gary Barlow recounted that his love of music began at an early age. "I was one of those kids that's forever dancing in front of the TV looking at my reflection." When Take That split in 1996, Barlow enjoyed solo success with his debut album Open Road. However, his follow-up Twelve Months, Eleven Days did not fare as well. With little airplay or promotion, it limped into the chart at number 35 and fell out of the top 100 the following week. So began the next stage of Barlow's career - returning to his roots as a songwriter. A six-time recipient of a prestigious Ivor Novello award, Barlow has written with the likes of Charlotte Church, Lily Allen, Sir Elton John and Dame Shirley Bassey. In 2006, Take That, minus Robbie Williams, reformed for a sell out stadium tour and enjoyed a career renaissance with a string of number one songs, starting with the single Patience. Beautiful World, the band's first album in over ten years has since sold nearly three million copies in the UK alone. Two more albums and tours have since followed, Take That's Progress Live in 2011 set box office records for ticket sales, seeing them play to 1.8 million fans over 29 shows in the UK. Barlow married Dawn Andrews in 2000. She was a dancer on the band's Nobody Else Tour in 1995. The couple have four children, their youngest daughter was born earlier this year. In 2010, Barlow became a judge on ITV's X Factor. Speaking last year about his return to the show for a second series, Barlow said in a statement: "I'm thrilled to be back and really looking forward to working with The X Factor team again." Charity work Barlow has organised and been involved in numerous fundraising projects for a host of different charities. In 2009 he was joined by eight other celebrities including Cheryl Cole and Ronan Keating in a sponsored climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. The group safely reached the summit, raising millions of pounds for Comic Relief. He was later awarded the prestigious Blue Peter Gold Badge for outstanding achievements and inspiring children to realise their talents. In response to the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Barlow recorded Everybody Hurts along with some of the world's most famous music stars with all proceeds of the single going to the cause. The song sold 453,000 copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling charity record of the 21st Century in Britain. Later that year, Barlow and former Take That band mate Robbie Williams performed live together for the first time in 15 years. They performed the song, Shame, with proceeds going to the Help For Heroes charity, which raises funds for wounded troops and their families. The singer continued his fundraising efforts when he took to the stage in December 2011 for two solo gigs - his first in more than 10 years. The concerts took place at London's Royal Albert Hall on 5 and 6 December, and raised money for the Prince's Trust and The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry. Barlow said after the show: "It's been great. Both nights were amazing; people have been buying lots of merchandise which all goes to a good cause." He also helped to organise the Children In Need Rocks gig in Manchester at the end of 2011, where he performed alongside Lady Gaga and Coldplay. Perhaps his most momentous work to date has been his involvement in the Queen's recent 86th birthday and Diamond Jubilee celebrations. As the lead organiser, he produced a jubilee album and concert outside Buckingham Palace on 4 June, which featured renowned artists such as Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and Kylie Minogue. The concert included music spanning every decade of the Queen's reign. Barlow appeared alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber and his own Commonwealth Band to perform the official jubilee single, Sing, which they wrote together. The track features 210 musicians including the African Children's Choir, Aboriginal guitarist Gurrumul, Slum Drummers from Kenya's Kibera slum and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Band. Sing was released as the lead single from the album of the same name, which is raising money for the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. Other tracks on the album feature singers including Hayley Westenra, Alfie Boe and Laura Wright. Entering the UK Album Chart at number 1, it is Barlow's second solo number 1 album and his first in 15 years. Commenting on its success, Barlow said: "I couldn't have wished for anything more on this momentous weekend." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18409466
June 18, 201213 yr What a wonderful achievment. You know Gary is certainly someone who knows to be a normal person to very famous, too been totally hounded and slated by the press and then be adored all over again, it is indeed some journey. I am not saying he is the only person to do it but not many famous people have managed such a magnificant career turn around.
June 20, 201213 yr Very well deserved and a huge well done to Gary. Yes Gary! Now cough up! This applies to you too Howard! And Jimmy Carr! http://www.citywire.co.uk/wealth-manager/t...atest-news-list If huge companies and rich celebrities paid their fair share of taxes (like the rest of us) there really would be no need for charity fund-raising. Kath Oh dear! Markie's apparently at it too! Mind you - he does keep the Hat-Makers of the UK in business I suppose! :lol: Seriously though - isn't there some way that I could pay money into my local community (youth clubs, etc) instead of paying tax. There has to be something that we can do. Edited June 20, 201213 yr by Kath
June 20, 201213 yr Nothing has been proven Kath. All of their money is managed by other people etc as im sure you know and they were told that they should invest in whatever this music thing is. There are over 1100 rich and unnamed people who have done the same thing so its not as if they have deliberately gone out as the 3 of them and swindled the taxman intentionally..Again nothing has been proven, at the moment it is just speculation. Downing St have already said that Gary's OBE is safe and that it is all speculation as to whether what has happened is potentially illegal. At most it will be dont do it again in the future and pay back whatever they owe. Edited June 20, 201213 yr by jay727
June 20, 201213 yr Nothing has been proven Kath. All of their money is managed by other people etc as im sure you know and they were told that they should invest in whatever this music thing is. There are over 1100 rich and unnamed people who have done the same thing so its not as if they have deliberately gone out as the 3 of them and swindled the taxman intentionally..Again nothing has been proven, at the moment it is just speculation. Downing St have already said that Gary's OBE is safe and that it is all speculation as to whether what has happened is potentially illegal. At most it will be dont do it again in the future and pay back whatever they owe. Oh but it has been proven. True - at present it isn't illegal - but as his friend David Cameron pointed out - people who use these schemes are - MORALLY BANKRUPT WRONG. Of course Take That fans and Jimmy Carr fans will doubtless make excuses. I'm sorry but anyone defending this is just mad. I'm sure we'd ALL like to pay what we feel is fair in taxes - sadly - those of us on PAYE do not have the option. The hilarious thing is that there will have been loads of people in the audience at Take That (and other artists) concerts paying more tax than the millionaires on stage. There is no defence for this kind of behaviour. Gary (and others) who go on about charity - are the just plain hypocrites. Mind you - all that money - and he still can't do anything about the fact that he's going bald. Maybe he should buy some hats with all the money he's squirrelled away. His OBE means nothing anyway (even though he will keep it). Edited June 20, 201213 yr by Kath
June 20, 201213 yr Don't get confused Kath, the Jimmy Carr situation and Mark, Gary and Howard are TOTALLY different. Carr shipped out 3.3million to an offshore bank account through K2 and then loaned himself the money back paying 1.25% tax on that rather than the highest amount he SHOULD have paid. It is legal yes but i agree is morally wrong. Mark, Gary and Howard haven't been shipping money out of the UK to avoid tax, they have just invested money into an Icebreaker funding scheme for music development which uses their money to pay for music bits and for the industry whilst then paying them (including the 1100+ other people who haven't been mentioned) money on the investment. That is how the BBC have described it just now. The money that has come back to them has not been charged at the full rate of whatever tax bracket it falls into but it is legal. HMRC say that they have suspicions that it may be a way of avoiding tax as they closed a scheme that was similar but they have No proof to say that it is with TT's lawyers saying that they have all paid significant tax and have shown investigators documentary proof. That's why the PM hasn't attacked Barlow and co, only Carr. Cos they are TWO SEPARATE CASES lol not because they are all in collusion with each other and Barlow is secretly running the country Kath so you can rub that off your list :lol: according to the tax specialist they just had on, he says that whilst Carr is totally wrong in what he has done as he has gone out of his way to aggressively avoid tax. He then said that the TT boys haven't done anything other than pay the tax they were charged through the icebreaker scheme. So before you start up your vendetta against Gary again (as you only highlight him) just take a look at the media!! Murdoch's machine, and the MP's who have the CHEEK to be trying to throw the book when the majority of them were involved in that ridiculous purposeful illegal tax evasion scandal not too long ago I have no time for people who avoid paying tax purposefully and illegally, but if there are ways to evade tax that are legal then good luck to whoever finds them, its the Governments fault for leaving the loopholes open. Accountants etc will always find ways if the Government ignore it..after all, that's what they are paid for, just ask Jimmy Carr Edited June 20, 201213 yr by jay727
June 20, 201213 yr Im useless at all this kind of jargon so i cant comment as i don't truly know the ins and outs, either way im sure all be be revealed in the coming weeks through the press, but me in my naivety wont let something like bother me. As i have always said i don't personnely care what any of my favorite artists do or dont do with their money, my main concern is the €10 i spend on buying an album and if i buy a crap album im like crap that was a waste of money but if its a good album im like ya that hard earned money was worth spending on that album as i love the music, beyond that im not overly bothered about their money,obe;s whatever.
June 20, 201213 yr I have no time for people who avoid paying tax purposefully and illegally, but if there are ways to evade tax that are legal then good luck to whoever finds them, its the Governments fault for leaving the loopholes open. Accountants etc will always find ways if the Government ignore it..after all, that's what they are paid for, just ask Jimmy Carr But Jay - it isn't just good luck is it? I (and millions like me) know of these schemes - however as we're not super rich - we'll never be able to take advantage of them. Its the 'charidee' charade from celebrities that gets my goat. As I said - if everyone paid their taxes - then there'd be no need for charities at all. The way we could make this a level playing ground of course - is if NO-ONE paid any taxes - what would you think of that? It may be a good idea. Every man for himself - but then let no-one complain about poor policing, army cut-backs, no emergency services, etc. As always - its the working poor that pay for these things. The way its always been. Anyway - I've made a promise to myself today - no money to charity ever again - no matter how many times celebrities appear on Comic Relief or Children in Need. Charity truly does begin at home (celebrities have shown me that). :lol: Edited June 20, 201213 yr by Kath
June 21, 201213 yr Im useless at all this kind of jargon so i cant comment as i don't truly know the ins and outs, either way im sure all be be revealed in the coming weeks through the press, but me in my naivety wont let something like bother me. As i have always said i don't personnely care what any of my favorite artists do or dont do with their money, my main concern is the €10 i spend on buying an album and if i buy a crap album im like crap that was a waste of money but if its a good album im like ya that hard earned money was worth spending on that album as i love the music, beyond that im not overly bothered about their money,obe;s whatever. I agree, at the end of the day ill pay a pound for the single, a tenner for the new TT album and 50 pound for a tour ticket etc, what they all get up to doesn't bother me. If they have found a legal way to save money then good luck to them, im sure if we all had millions in the bank and a legal process was available to us 9/10 we would all consider if not go with it as well. We are only human as they say. But Jay - it isn't just good luck is it? I (and millions like me) know of these schemes - however as we're not super rich - we'll never be able to take advantage of them. Its the 'charidee' charade from celebrities that gets my goat. As I said - if everyone paid their taxes - then there'd be no need for charities at all. The way we could make this a level playing ground of course - is if NO-ONE paid any taxes - what would you think of that? It may be a good idea. Every man for himself - but then let no-one complain about poor policing, army cut-backs, no emergency services, etc. As always - its the working poor that pay for these things. The way its always been. Anyway - I've made a promise to myself today - no money to charity ever again - no matter how many times celebrities appear on Comic Relief or Children in Need. Charity truly does begin at home (celebrities have shown me that). :lol: I wouldn't mind not paying tax Kath :lol: You are going slightly OTT though, like i said Carr paid 1.25% tax on 3 million quid!! TT or rather T3 paid substantial tax but not 50p of the pound tax. Either way you can bet they paid a ridiculous amount of money for tax even at a lower rate, albeit not as quite as low as Carr! I always donate a bit to CIN, im a sucker for helping children, just hope it all goes to the fund and not in Wogan's back pocket :lol:
June 22, 201213 yr Anyone who can avoid tax, well done, the governments are the biggest fraudsters going so if you cant beat the buggers join them.
June 22, 201213 yr Anyone who can avoid tax, well done, the governments are the biggest fraudsters going so if you cant beat the buggers join them. Well the next time the army is laying off thousands of soldiers, or a soldier gets killed because the government doesn't have the resources to pay for proper body armour - I'll bear your 'well done' in mind. Thank goodness for people like J K Rowling who pays the full wack - she makes up for skinflints like Barlow and co. Kath
June 22, 201213 yr I always donate a bit to CIN, im a sucker for helping children, just hope it all goes to the fund and not in Wogan's back pocket :lol: I'll give my money to things like the Royal Air Force, The Salvation Army, or others with tins in supermarkets. I'll even give a quid to a beggar on the street before I give anything to CIN or Comic Relief again. I don't really watch CIN or Comic Relief anymore anyway (its been a good ten years since these programs have been entertaining) so I don't think I'm missing anything. I certainly won't give anything to something fronted by Gary Barlow anymore - he's a hypocrite.
June 22, 201213 yr Loved Sean Lock on 8 out of 10 Cats tonight. Gary Barlow, OBE = Offshore Banking Expert! :lol: Kath
June 23, 201213 yr Lol Kath i can't take you seriously knowing how you love to slate Gary at every opportunity. I haven't heard anything about Gary and MARK and HOWARD (in case you forgot that they are just as involved) at all since it was suspected that the icebreaker scheme may not be disclosable to full tax. HMRC have said nothing more on the subject and im sure that if Gary and co were avoiding tax like Carr it would have been ceased upon. However there is no evidence that the 3 of them avoided tax. If anything the other from the 1100 OTHER unnamed people may have avoided tax but nothing has been said. Gary and Co's names were possibly the most high profile of the people but that whos to say that 1000 people used it to avoid tax and a 100 people inc G/H/M were paying full tax 'significant tax' as Barlow's lawyer has said Again no proof, unlike Carr Gary Barlow doesn't front CIN :rolleyes: Kath seriously :lol: he has raised alot of money for the cause. But you're somehow accusing him of being a hypocrite with no evidence and belittling his charity work...Hmm. Pass over JK Rowling's accounts then when you've finished inspecting her rate and payment of tax... :coffee: Edited June 23, 201213 yr by jay727
June 24, 201213 yr Gary Barlow doesn't front CIN :rolleyes: Kath seriously :lol: he has raised alot of money for the cause. But you're somehow accusing him of being a hypocrite with no evidence and belittling his charity work...Hmm. Pass over JK Rowling's accounts then when you've finished inspecting her rate and payment of tax... :coffee: He's a hypocrite and as I've said before - his charity work is for his own benefit. He is now Saint Gary after all. Well he's on h is way anyway - Gary Barlow, OBE - Overseas Banking Expert! :lol: Mind you - some comments in his book made it quite clear that Gary is a bit of a meanie (he even prided himself on it - I'm thinking of the air miles paragraph - which admittedly was funny). As for Rowling - it is well documented she pays the full wack - so your coffee-cup emoticon is a bit useless. You may think the sun shines out of his arse ... but don't expect everyone else to.
