A Better Me

**The Sunday Times Number One Bestseller** **Audiobook shortlisted for the Specsavers National Book Awards 2018** Gary Barlow is one of the most successful British musicians and songwriters of all time, but fifteen years ago, as he himself admits, he hit rock bottom - he was out of shape, out of work and depressed. His mental and physical health were at an all-time low, and he struggled to see a way out. Faced with an underperforming solo career, tireless media taunts and other cruel twists of fate, Gary turned to food. For nine years, he struggled with his weight and went on every diet imaginable. Fasting, extreme dieting, and binge eating saw him on a seemingly unstoppable downward spiral for which he eventually sought professional help, asking a doctor what the 'cure' for obesity was. That was the moment he realised that he would have to dramatically change his life and relationship with food. So how did he go from an obese, out-of-work pop star to one of the UK's favourite superstars of music and TV, as well an accomplished musical songwriter and producer who is full of vitality, fitter, happier and more successful than ever before? In this extraordinarily honest memoir, Gary tells of his journey back to mental and physical health, as well as musical success. A Better Me is a remarkably frank account of Gary's life as he battled with his demons, endured devastating personal tragedy, and recovered his health from the extremities of disordered eating and obesity. In his warm, witty and authentic voice, Gary recounts his story with compelling insight, captivating sincerity and a human side that people rarely see. From overcoming his weight problems and crippling obsession with food, to returning with a critically and commercially successful Take That and reigniting his own legendary song-writing career, going beyond recorded music to forge success on TV with The X Factor and Let It Shine, this is the story of how Gary found balance in both his personal and professional life. Here is one of the UK's most beloved pop stars, more open, honest and raw than ever before.