Gary Barlow has compared Take That's chart battle with Robbie Williams to the feud between Blur and Oasis.

The 43-year-old singer-songwriter has spoken out following the news his band Take That's first album since the departure of both Jason Orange and previously Robbie, 'III', will go up against their bandmates surprise new record 'Under the Radar'.

Referring to the famous Britpop battle between Damon Albarn's Blur and Liam and Noel Gallagher's Oasis, Gary said: ''It's like Blur versus Oasis all over again.''

However, the former 'X Factor' judge revealed Robbie - who first left Take That in 1995 before rejoining in 2010 and quitting again in 2012 - had told him and his remaining bandmates Mark Owen and Howard Donald about his new album, but failed to mention it would be released on the same day as theirs.

Gary told The Sun newspaper: ''I only found out about that on Sunday (30.11.14).

''It's funny, because we have obviously spent a lot of time in the studio with Rob.

''About two years ago he said, 'I've got all these songs and I don't know what to do with them so I'm going to put them on an album one day'.

''So it's not a surprise he's doing it, but it is a surprise it's out this week.

''He played us most of them and there are some cracking songs because whatever Rob writes is good.''

Meanwhile, the 'These Days' hitmaker claims both Robbie and Jason will be returning to the band in the future.

He said: ''Take That is five people. Exactly when they come back is up to them. That will keep it interesting.''