Mark Owen

1996–1997: Green Man

After Take That split, Owen became the first of the band's ex-members to release a solo record. He reached number three in the UK Singles Chart with his debut single, "Child". His second single, "Clementine", also went to number three. In 1996 his album Green Man was released, charting at a number 33. After another single, "I Am What I Am", charted at number 29, Owen was dropped by BMG Records in late 1997. Despite the album being viewed as having under performed it sold 1 million copies worldwide.

2002–2003: Celebrity Big Brother and In Your Own Time

Owen won the second series of Celebrity Big Brother in November 2002 with 77% of the public vote against television presenter Les Dennis. Owen broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the fans' support. After being invited to perform on stage with Robbie Williams at Knebworth, he returned to the spotlight and signed a deal with Island/Universal Records. In August 2003, Owen returned to the charts with the Top 5 hit, "Four Minute Warning", which remained in the Top 40 for eight weeks. His second album, In Your Own Time, was released in November 2003, entering the charts at number 59. After a second single, "Alone Without You", charted at number 26, Owen was dropped by Island/Universal Records.

2004–2006: How the Mighty Fall

In April 2004 he established his own record company, Sedna Records. One report around 2004 alleged that Owen was looking for a day job, but he simply said "Doing it…

Growing up, Owen lived in a small council house in Oldham with his mother Mary, his father Keith, brother Daniel, and sister Tracey. His father was a decorator, later getting a job at a police station. His mother was a supervisor in a bakery. Owen was educated at Holy Rosary Primary and St Augustine's Catholic Schools, both in Oldham. He had little interest in music and played football briefly for Chadderton F.C., in addition to having trials at Manchester United and Rochdale. Before auditioning for Take That, he worked at Barclays in Failsworth.

Owen is married to actress Emma Ferguson. They have a son and two daughters. He is a patron of the charity Beyond Autism. In March 2010, in the midst of recording for Progress, Owen publicly admitted to having multiple affairs, one of which lasted from late 2004 until September 2009, and an alcohol problem. Six months later, he checked into a private clinic for rehabilitation related to his drinking. In June 2012, it was revealed that along with Take That band-mates Howard Donald and Gary Barlow, Owen had invested £26 million in music industry investment schemes. The news attracted controversy when it was understood that the schemes could serve as tax shelters for high-net-worth people. Lawyers responded to the claims, stating the band members "paid significant tax, and that they believed the schemes were not for tax avoidance purposes but were legitimate commercial enterprises." In an interview with BBC Radio in 2020, Paul Stenning, who worked for the band in 1995 under their financial advisor Simon Orange, explained the way the band's finances were structured, saying they were "meticulously disseminated". In 2014, Owen was announced as an Ambassador for Amber Run on Channel 4's Launched. Owen also participated in both Soccer Aid 2012 and 2014. He is a supporter of Liverpool F.C.. In 2024 Owen released a coffee blend named 'Shine' in collaboration with Change Please, a social enterprise aiming to tackle homelessness.