Mark Owen checks into rehab clinic

Take That star Mark Owen has checked into rehab at a clinic after confessing to a drink problem and a string of affairs behind his wife's back.

A spokesman for the singer - a former winner of Celebrity Big Brother - confirmed on Friday that Owen had checked in to a private clinic "in recent days". He did not disclose details of where he was being treated.

Earlier in the week the 38-year-old confessed to The Sun that he had struggled with a drink problem for at least a decade.

He also admitted to flings with as many as 10 women during his five-year relationship with his wife Emma. The couple, who have two children, married last October.

"I have had issues for a long time," Owen said. "I've drunk for the last 10 years and it got to a bad point.

"I never really saw the problem. I carried on drinking through my relationship with Emma and it got to the point where she asked me to stop.

"I have been a prat. I wasn't thinking - I don't think logically when I'm drunk. I'm not the person I want to be when I'm drunk. I can be a nightmare to live with."

He added that he had discussed his problems with bandmates Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Gary Barlow, as well as former Take That member Robbie Williams, who has battled alcohol and drug addiction.

In a previous interview Owen said he was "deeply sorry" for the pain his affairs had caused to his wife and friends, and asked the media to respect their privacy.