Hi °C | Lo °C Take That singer Gary Barlow was today mourning the death of his father.
Grief-stricken Barlow, 38, pulled out of a planned appearance yesterday to launch a star-studded BBC Children in Need concert.
His father, Colin, reportedly suffered a suspected heart attack but sources close to the artist said the cause of death remained unclear.
It is the second tragedy to befall a boy band within a week, following the sudden death last weekend of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, whose funeral was taking place in Dublin today.
Cheshire-born singer-songwriter Barlow was said to be very close to his father and his mother, Marjorie, and dedicated the Take That song Nobody Else, which he penned, to his parents.
The couple previously lived with Barlow and his wife and children on a sprawling estate near Northwich, Cheshire.
Barlow's representatives said he pulled out of the concert launch in London due to a "family bereavement".
Take That are scheduled to appear alongside Sir Paul McCartney, Leona Lewis and Dame Shirley Bassey in the charity show on November 12.
Barlow's family has asked for privacy.
