The new long-term, worldwide agreement with Sony/ATV, although just announced, is effective from January 1 this year and comes after a busy period for Barlow when he has not only been part of Take That's incredible success but has written for a diverse range of other artists, among them John Barrowman, Dame Shirley Bassey, Alesha Dixon, Katherine Jenkins, N-Dubz and Peter Kay.

But he reveals any writing projects outside the band will now be temporarily suspended with his priority instead ...