Howard Paul Donald (born 28 April 1968)[1] is an English singer, songwriter, drummer, pianist, dancer, DJ and record producer.

Donald grew up in Droylsden with his older brothers Colin and Michael and his younger sister Samantha.

[3] A budding DJ, his musical interests were largely informed by his brother Colin's vinyl collection, and included electronic acts such as Kraftwerk, John Foxx, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) and Gary Numan.

[4] As a teenager Donald became interested in dancing and frequented the burgeoning breakdancing circuit in the Greater Manchester area, where he would first come into contact with future bandmate Jason Orange.

Nigel Martin-Smith recruited Donald, along with Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams to form a British boyband, Take That.

Following the split, Donald attempted a solo career, recording an unreleased single, "Speak Without Words", and returned to DJing.

[1] In the 2005 documentary Take That: For the Record, Donald confessed to being unstable enough to have the intention of committing suicide by drowning himself in the River Thames, not long after the split.

A spokesperson for him said "I can confirm Howard Donald and Katie Halil were married at a private ceremony for close family and friends on 2 January.

[11] In 2007, he expressed his view that cannabis should be legalised, saying, "If more people went out stoned than drunk I think there would be less fighting, less trouble, and less violence.

The news attracted controversy when it was understood that the schemes could serve as tax shelters for high-net-worth people.