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Take That's Howard Donald says he has 'really struggled' being a dad in his 50s

BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 01: Take That singer Howard Donald during the photocall 'The Band - Das Musical' with the main cast and members of the band Take That at Theater des Westens on April 1, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Isa Foltin/Getty Images)
Howard Donald (Isa Foltin/Getty Images)

Take That star Howard Donald has revealed he has “really struggled” with being a dad in his 50s.

The singer, 52, has daughters aged 21 and 15 from previous relationships but became a father again later in life when he and his wife Katie welcomed sons Bowie and Dougie in 2015 and 2017.

Donald has now opened up about it sometimes being “draining”, saying he wouldn’t advise people to have young kids at his age.

Speaking on Dave Berry’s Dadpod podcast, he said: “I think, at 52, which is what I am, I've really struggled in the 50s being a father.

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“I’ve actually really taken it physically and mentally draining for me.”

The star said it was tough having young children so close in age.

He went on: “I would advise, me at this moment in time, I would advise to fathers who maybe already have children that may be in their teenage years, don't do it.

“In [your] 50s don't do it.”

He continued: “I'm sure there's people out there in their 50s that have found it a doddle, maybe they've got, you know, babysitters and nannies and stuff like that, maybe not, maybe they're really struggling as well, but I've really struggled with it and I would never advise anyone in their 50s to have young children.”

(left to right) Howard Donald and Mark Owen of Take That perform at the Teenage Cancer Trust Concert, Royal Albert Hall, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION. Picture date: Thursday March 28, 2019. See PA story SHOWBIZ TCT. Photo credit should read: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire
Take That performing (Isabel Infantes/PA Wire)

However, the star said he felt “proud” of how he had done with his four children.

Donald’s daughters Lola and Grace are from two former relationships.

The singer said that although he has always been there for them, he does “hold a lot of guilt”.

“I hold a hell of a lot of guilt for leaving my ex-partners and leaving my child for them to look after,” he said.

Howard Donald of Take That performs at the Teenage Cancer Trust Concert, Royal Albert Hall, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION. Picture date: Thursday March 28, 2019. See PA story SHOWBIZ TCT. Photo credit should read: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire
Howard Donald (sabel Infantes/PA Wire)

“Obviously though, I've not been one of these fathers that's said, ‘Right, I've got a new partner, I don't want anything to do with this now. I don't want anything to do with that child.’

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“I’ve always been there. I've always felt so guilty about it.

“I've always been there for them.”

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