Howard Donald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Howard Donald
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Donald performing in Glasgow in 2017
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Howard Paul Donald
28 April 1968 Droylsden, Lancashire, England
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Katie Halil
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| Children | 4 |
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Howard Paul Donald (born 28 April 1968) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. He is also a dancer, DJ, and record producer. Howard is best known as a member of the famous pop group Take That. He was also a judge on the German dance talent show Got to Dance from 2013 to 2014.
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Early Life and Music Start
Howard Donald grew up in Droylsden, England. He lived with his two older brothers, Colin and Michael, and his younger sister, Samantha. He went to Littlemoss High School but did not get any GCSEs. After school, he trained for three years to become a vehicle painter.
Howard was interested in music from a young age. His brother Colin's record collection helped him discover many electronic music artists. As a teenager, Howard loved dancing. He often went to breakdancing events in the Manchester area. There, he met Jason Orange, who would later become his bandmate. Howard then auditioned for a new boy band project. This group was eventually named Take That.
Howard Donald's Music Career
Nigel Martin-Smith brought Howard Donald, along with Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen, and Robbie Williams, together. They formed the British boy band, Take That. The band became very successful for five years. Robbie Williams left the group in 1995. The remaining four members continued as a quartet.
Take That's Early Success
Howard Donald and Jason Orange sang lead vocals less often than Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Robbie Williams. However, Howard sang the main vocals on the hit single "Never Forget". This song reached number one in the UK in 1995.
In early 1996, the band decided to split up. Howard was not happy about this, but he accepted their decision. After Take That broke up, Howard tried to start a solo career. He recorded a song called "Speak Without Words," but it was never officially released. He also went back to being a DJ.
Take That Reunion and New Albums
In 2005, Take That got back together. They announced a reunion tour called The Ultimate Tour for 2006. This happened after they released their Greatest Hits album, Never Forget: The Ultimate Collection.
Later in 2006, they released their first studio album since 1995, called Beautiful World. From this album, they had two number one songs: "Patience" and "Shine". Howard sang lead vocals on two songs from Beautiful World: "Beautiful World" and "Mancunian Way". The song "Mancunian Way" is a special tribute to their hometown of Manchester.
On the 2008 Take That album The Circus, Howard sang lead vocals on "What Is Love" and "Here". He also shared lead vocals with the other band members on the song "The Garden".
For the 2010 album Progress, Howard sang lead vocals on "Affirmation". He also shared vocals on "Wait" and "Aliens". "Aliens" was included in the Progressed reissue the next year. Howard also played drums on several songs for the Progress album.
On the 2014 Take That album III, Howard sang lead vocals on "Give You My Love". In 2017, he sang lead vocals on "Every Revolution" from the album Wonderland.
Most recently, on the 2023 Take That album This Life, Howard sang lead vocals on "March Of The Hopeful" and "One More Word". He also sang lead vocals on "The Man I Am," which was part of the deluxe version released in 2024.
Other Projects
In 2021, Howard Donald appeared on The Masked Dancer in the UK. He was disguised as Zip. He made it to the final and finished in third place.
Howard was a judge on the German dance show Got to Dance from 2013 to 2014. He also continues to work as a professional DJ. He often DJs at 'Take That After Party' events.
Personal Life
Howard Donald went to Moorside Primary School and Littlemoss High School.
Since January 2015, Howard has been married to illustrator Katie Halil. They had a private wedding ceremony with close family and friends.
Howard is a father of four children. He has two daughters from previous relationships. He also has two sons with his wife, Katie Halil.
He is a big fan of the football team Manchester United.
Health Challenges
During the Beautiful World Tour in 2007, Howard had a collapsed lung. This happened after he did some gymnastic stunts on stage. He stayed in the hospital for two days. The rest of the band performed as a trio during that time. However, Howard recovered quickly. He was able to rejoin the band for the final part of the tour.
Discography
Solo Music
- Speak Without Words (recorded 1996, unreleased)
- What You Do to Me (1996)
- Kidz (Revenge of the Kidz) (2011)
Albums with Take That
- Take That & Party (1992)
- Everything Changes (1993)
- Nobody Else (1995)
- Beautiful World (2006)
- The Circus (2008)
- Progress (2010)
- Progressed (2011)
- III (2014)
- Wonderland (2017)
- Odyssey (2018)
- This Life (2023)
See also
In Spanish: Howard Donald para niños
