Gary Barlow 'hide the hampers'

Gary Barlow has ordered his wife to lock away all the food hampers he has been sent so he doesn't get fat over Christmas.

The Take That star - who was cruelly dubbed the 'fat one' during the band's 90s heyday - has received dozens of special gastronomic baskets full of cheeses, chocolate and wine from his celebrity friends, including Sting and Sir Elton John, but to avoid temptation he has instructed spouse Dawn to hide them.

A source told Britain's Daily Express newspaper: "They are all great hampers but Gary wishes he didn't have so many. He joked his wife would have to keep them away from him.

"Gary is very honest about the fact he has struggled to stay slim, but he is looking fantastic right now and he wants to keep it that way."

Gary's weight ballooned after Take That split in 1996 when he resorted to comfort eating to fill the void.

The 36-year-old pop star - whose weight peaked at 232lbs - recently admitted it has been a struggle to keep the weight off since the group reunited in 2005.

He said: "I diet pretty much all the time. If I don't concentrate on what I'm eating, by the end of the week I've gained seven pounds."