TOKE THAT STAR IN POT ROW

TAKE THAT star HOWARD DONALD was blasted yesterday -- after
demanding that cannabis be made legal.

The singer, 39, shocked parents by insisting the drug was safer than
alcohol.

Howard -- who is recovering after his lung collapsed while on tour in
Milan -- declared: "Cannabis should be legalised.

"I know it's a touchy subject. But if more people went out stoned than
drunk -- which a lot of people are on the weekend -- I think there would
be less fighting, less trouble and less violence."

Anti-drugs campaigners slammed the hunk's "irresponsible"
comments.

Gail McCann, of Mothers Against Drugs, said: "Anyone who tells you
cannabis is perfectly safe is talking rubbish. It can cause psychosis
and paranoia.

"I'd like Take That to see the work we do and ask if they'd like to
donate some of the millions they earn to drug treatment."

Howard issued his potty plea as Take That made plans for a New Year
gig, which will be screened on ITV.

He and bandmates have admitted smoking cannabis when the group first
got together.

Howard said: "We dabbled with Ecstasy and liked the odd spliff, but
who doesn't?"

GARY BARLOW was so depressed when the group split he smoked up to 15
joints a day.