Jason Orange was begged by other members of Take That to stay with the band.
Mark Owen, Gary Barlow and Howard Donald were said to be desperate for Jason to stay with the group, and continuously asked him to return ot the record studio.
Howard explained: "We were hanging on, hoping he would come back.
"At every opportunity, regardless of whether we were writing in the States, we were like, 'Are you coming?'"
Gary also says that there's space on new album 'III' left for the absent singer.
"We started the new record just before last Christmas, so until two weeks ago we left this big hole for Jay in case he was gonna say: 'Yes I'm in."
All three are adamant that his departure isn't going to change their friendships.
Mark said: "Take That is our most comfortable place, being in this band is a family.
"Even when we're not working we see each other. We saw Jay a few weeks ago and had a sort of goodbye. There's something nice about coming together."
The band's first single as a trio was revealed on Friday and is available for purchase from November 23.
Tagged in Gary Barlow Jason Orange Mark Owen