Take That
- Profession: Band
- Place/Date of Birth: Manchester, 1990–1996, 2005–present
Take That relight their fire in UK - Nov 16 2007
Thousands of Take That fans screamed with joy as the re-formed boy band kicked off the British leg of their hit tour.
Having spent the last few weeks wowing fans in Europe, the four boys got the chance to delight the eager crowds in Birmingham.
Addressing the 14,000 strong audience at the city's National Exhibition Centre, band member Mark Owen said: "It's good to be back on home soil."
Gary Barlow added: "It's the first night back and the start of our tour in England. I think tonight is going to be a big night."
Fans cheered as the group belted out hit songs from the past and present.
Howard Donald danced energetically around the stage despite being admitted to hospital just a month ago with a chest injury, which caused him to pull out of a European performance.
At the beginning of the concert he told the crowd: "I am going to partake in the dancing. I'm going to see how it holds out. I think it will be OK. The doctor said it should be OK. I am so happy to be back in the UK."
Fans watched in awe as flames were ignited around the stage as the group sang their popular song Relight My Fire and walked across a metal bridge suspended above the audience.
The Take That Beautiful World Tour, which began in Belfast in October, continues in Birmingham until November 20.
It will then move to Glasgow, Newcastle, London and end in Manchester on December 23.
Injured Take That star resting - Oct 30 2007
Take That’s Howard Donald is recovering from a chest injury that forced him to pull out of a performance, but it is still unclear when he will return to the stage, a spokesman said.
Donald was admitted to hospital after he was injured while performing during the band’s tour of Europe.
It meant he could not take part in a concert on October 26 in Vienna, but the show went on at his request.
The spokesman said Donald was discharged from hospital in Vienna on Saturday and was now resting with his family.
He said: "Everyone I’m sure will be pleased to hear that Howard is making a speedy recovery and the doctors are very happy with his progress.
"He will as a result be rejoining his band mates in Hamburg on Wednesday this week when the tour arrives there. Although it is still not clear when he will be back on stage performing with the other guys, the early indications are that it will be very soon.
"(Fellow bandmates) Mark, Gary and Jason all visited Howard after the show in Vienna on Friday night along with the dancers and musicians to help cheer him up. They’re all looking forward to him joining them this week in Germany."
He did not give any more information about the seriousness of the injury or exactly how it happened.
Take That to front M&S campaign - Sept 19 2007
Take That are to be the new faces of Marks & Spencer menswear, it’s been confirmed.
A new campaign, shot by photographer Rankin, features the reunited group wearing a variety of looks from the Autograph autumn range.
The photographs show Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Mark Owen both individually and as a group.
The group said: "It’s brilliant to be working with such a strong British brand as M&S and to be the faces for the new autumn Autograph campaign.
"We were really impressed with the Plan A eco-initiative that M&S launched in January and the commitments the company has made towards greener retailing.
"It’s really important to us to work with people who share our values as well as make great clothes."
Celebrity star rating: | |||||||||
A- list: | B- list: | C- list: | D- list: | Z- list: |
Helena Bonham Carter
Hugh Laurie
Rachel Weisz
Faces in Fashion
Ricci Stoene
Sadie Frost
Musicians
DJ Jon Carter
Graham Coxon
Ms Dynamite
Writers & Artists
Amanda Craig
Features
Celeb Rehab
Keeping up with the WAGs...
Profiles: Film
Angelina Jolie
Keira Knightley
Tom Cruise
Profiles: Music
Britney Spears
Kylie Minogue
Madonna
Profiles: Fashion
Kate Moss
Naomi Campbell
Victoria Beckham
Win a flight to New York
Win a flight to New York
Win a return flight to New York and get paid for your opinions!
Book local Hotels | under £40 | from £40 to £60 | from £60 to £80 | from £80 to £100 | over £100 |
Take That was formed in 1990 as Britain’s answer to the American boy band ’New Kids on the Block’. The band members were Gary Barlow (lead vocalist and song-writer), Robbie Williams (second lead and cheeky chappie), Jason Orange (choreographer and dancer), Marc Owen (the ’cute’ one)and Howard Donald (dancer).
Although they had a somewhat shaky start, and were close to being dropped from their record label - they then released ’It Only Takes a Minute’ which went to the number one chart spot. Teenage girls loved them everywhere, and they had eight number one hits altogether - including ’Relight My Fire’ with Lulu (also reinvigorating Lulu’s career as well!)
News that Robbie was leaving the band was taken badly by the fans, and although the four that were left did carry on (and have two more hit records) they finally announced it was all over in 1996. Teenage girls worldwide needed counselling... Until the next boy band of course.
Post Take That, youngest band member Robbie Williams has gone on to acheive the dizzying heights of A List stardom, while Gary (the one who was expected to shine) has not been heard of so much, although he did have two number one singles. Marc Owen also had a stab at solo pop stardom but was not so well recieved (although apparently it’s gone down vey well in Spain...). Jason Orange has been pursuing an acting career and treading the boards, while Howard - what is Howard doing? Answers on a very small postcard please!
November 2007