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."