Howard Donald's daughter to audition for The X Factor?

Take That’s Howard Donald has revealed that his teen daughter, Grace, hopes to audition for The X Factor in the near future – despite Gary Barlow’s rivalry with the hit ITV show.

Howard’s Take That bandmate and close friend, Gary, acted as a judge on the X Factor for three years from 2011 but he soon fell out with top dog Simon Cowell when he quit the show in favour of launching his own reality competition on the BBC.

Speaking out about 17-year-old Grace’s desire to follow in her dad’s musical footsteps, Howard told the Daily Star: “I have got a 17 year old and, since watching me on TV, she has wanted to go on ‘The X Factor’ or some sort of talent show.”

However, he goes on to admit that he doesn’t want his daughter to be exposed to the tough side of showbiz, adding: “I sort of didn’t want my daughter to be upset because it’s a really tough thing to handle if you don’t get through.”

Maybe if she auditions for one of Gary’s shows Howard will be able to put in a good word, eh?

As well as Grace, Howard is dad to 12-year-old Lola, 14-month-old Bowie, and newborn son Dougie Bear.

The revelation comes after it was announced that ITV have planned a new Take That TV special that will air later this year.

The popular group, which is now comprised of Gary, Howard, and Mark Owen, are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year and currently hold the record for the fastest selling tour of all time in UK history for their 2011 ‘Progress Live Tour’.

Speaking in a statement, Take That said of their new TV venture: “We are really looking forward to performing material from our new album ‘Wonderland’ some of it for the first time.

“But a Take That special would not be the same without a few classics also thrown into the mix!”