Take That trio Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Gary Barlow used to be joined by Robbie Williams and Jason Orange (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Take That have admitted Jason Orange has become ‘difficult to get hold of’ since leaving the group.

It sounds like the Greatest Day hitmakers – trio Howard Donald, Gary Barlow and Mark Owen – have basically been ghosted by their former bandmate, who left in 2014 and only occasionally gets in touch.

However, when he does contact them, it’s only a fleeting message before he makes it impossible to response again.

‘I don’t know where he is. He’s difficult to get hold of, and I believe that’s the way he wants it,’ Howard told The Sun.

‘When an album is coming out he’ll send an email saying, “I wish you all the success in the world”. And then the next day you try replying to it and it’s a no-reply email address.

‘Wherever he is, I really hope he is happy.’

Mark Gary Barlow and Howard don’t hear from Jason anymore (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Gary admitted the lack of contact would be ‘easier’ to cope with if they had had a blazing row with him before he left the band, because then they’d have been able to understand his absence.

Still, he finds it reassuring to know his former pal is still looking out for them.

‘It’s a tricky one with Jay. I almost think if there had been a big argument it would be easier, but there wasn’t,’ he added.

‘He just wanted a change in his life. But he does keep an eye on us. And it’s nice to know that.’

Jason doesn’t make it easy to get hold of him (Picture: WireImage)

And despite rarely hearing from their old bandmate, the Patience lads would still happily welcome him back to the fold if he ever wanted to return.

Howard, 55, said: ‘He’d done his time in Take That — although he’s welcome back anytime.’

The band formed back in 1990 with Robbie Williams also in the fold, and the remaining three members have no plans to stop, even if getting older means some things have to change.

He said: ‘This is my life and I don’t ever want it to stop. We will get to a point where the dance moves may stop, but we will always have an energy.

‘Next year’s tour will be amazing and different to previous ones. They’ve all been unique.

‘We are so proud of how far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved with this album. It’s a new era and it almost makes me feel like we are just getting started.’

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