Take That's Jason Orange 'raking in the cash' as he snubs band after tour announcement

Take That have surprised fans with a brand new tour announcement, but there is one member of the four-piece band that is still missing. Jason Orange left fans heartbroken and confused when he announced he was quitting the band in 2014 after their huge Progress tour and now it looks like he won't be returning any time soon.

When asked if he will be returning, Gary Barlow told the Mirror: "You'd need to ask him. But the door's always open. For everyone. Robbie included. We're a three-piece at the moment, but I'd never say never. Because this band always surprises me. But not on this particular occasion." The singer insisted he'd had the "best years of his life" with the chart-toppers but no longer wanted to be part of the band. When he left, he released a statement which said: "There have been no fallings out, only a decision on my part that I no longer wish to do this." He added: "I know how much Mark, Gary and Howard enjoy writing and making music, and they know that they have my full support and encouragement to continue on with what is to be another chapter for the band."

In a revealing interview, the boys finally opened up about their friend's break from the band, insisting they're still on good terms with the dancer, as they are with Robbie Williams who quit in 1995.

"I think he felt he didn't want to do it any more," Mark explained of Jason's decision to leave. "But I'm not going to speak for him.

"He's still here anyway. The other day we were trying to work out who the best joke-teller in the band is and remembered how Jason always laughed before he got to the punchline," he said in an interview The Times.

It was reported earlier this year that Jason has been "raking in the cash" in a new career move. It was reported that the pop star was co-owning property business Nine The Firs, in partnership with Leicester City football legend Neil Lennon.

A source shared: "Jason and Neil have known each other for years, having played in a charity football game together. Neil has a firm and Jason has joined in."

While Jason has always preferred a low-key existence, the source added: "He's got a real flair for property" and has already sold a property, with the buyer describing him as "lovely" and "professional."

Jason's co-ownership of Nine The Firs is proving to be a promising venture. Depending on the scale of the property deals, he could be earning anywhere from £100,000 to £500,000 annually if the business is relatively small but profitable.