Career: Take That's debut album, Take That & Party, featuring songs mostly written by Gary, was released in 1992 and reached number two in the album chart. He received an Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song in 1994 for the band's first number one single, Pray. After Robbie Williams left the band in 1995, the four remaining members completed a world tour as a four-piece and released a final single before splitting in 1996. Gary quickly launched a solo career and his first two singles both reached number one. His debut solo album, Open Road, was released in 1997 and went on to sell more than two million copies. His second album flopped and he was quickly released by his record company. He returned to the limelight in 2005 after participating in a documentary on Take That. Renewed interest in the band saw them reform as a four-piece (without Williams) and their comeback single, Patience, went to number one in the charts. They have since released three hugely popular albums and toured to sell-out audiences, including an album and tour with Williams, although he is not expected to feature in future Take That projects. Gary has been widely credited as being the mastermind behind the success of Take That's comeback. He organised the Diamond Jubilee concert that was staged in June 2012 outside Buckingham Palace. Away from performing, Gary made his acting debut in ITV1 drama Heartbeat in 2000, and replaced Simon Cowell as the head judge of The X Factor in 2011.