Agencies/London
Singer-songwriter Gary Barlow is deciding whether to go ahead with his performance at the Olympics closing ceremony after his baby daughter was delivered stillborn.
Barlow and Dawn: in mourning
The Take That star was rumoured to be taking part in the spectacle at the Olympic stadium on Sunday and is expected to make a decision by the end of the week.
A spokesman for Locog would not confirm that he had been lined up to play with his bandmates.
Barlow, 41, and his wife Dawn, 42, are in mourning after losing their fourth child. A statement issued through Barlow’s agent said: “Dawn and I are devastated to announce that we’ve lost our baby. Poppy Barlow was delivered stillborn on August 4 in London.
“Our focus now is giving her a beautiful funeral and loving our three children with all our hearts. We’d ask at this painful time that our privacy be respected.” Ed Sheeran, George Michael, The Who and The Spice Girls are also said to be in the line-up for Sunday.
The 41-year-old singer had previously spoken about how he was looking forward to becoming a father for the fourth time with his wife, a 42-year-old dancer.
Speaking at the time, he told fans: “We are a very excited family.”
Friends and colleagues of the singer expressed their condolences to the Barlow family on Twitter.
Tulisa Contostavlos, a fellow judge on the X Factor, wrote: “My thoughts and prayers are with Barlow and his wife Dawn. Heartbreakingx.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote: “Dearest Dawn Gary, Madeleine I are devastated about news of Poppy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”
Una Healy from girl group The Saturdays, who recently became a mother for the first time, wrote: “My thoughts and prayers go out to Barlow and his wife and family such sad news RIP Poppy x.”
