From http://www.news.bbc.co.uk

 

 

Take That return to centre stage

By Fiona Pryor

Entertainment reporter, BBC News

 

 

 

 

Fifteen years ago, boyband mania overwhelmed teenage girls everywhere as Take That burst onto the music scene.

 

After eight number one singles, eight tours, three albums - and a very public fall-out with former bandmate Robbie Williams - the group eventually split up.

 

A decade later and the foursome are back at the top of the charts following a sell-out summer tour.

 

"This whole year has been more than any of us expected. We're just being taken by surprise at the moment," band member Mark Owen told the BBC News Website.

 

According to the 34-year-old musician, a return to centre-stage was not planned.

 

'Little spark'

 

Back in November 2005, the four band members who temporarily stayed together after Williams quit, met for the first time to make an ITV1 documentary.

 

"We'd all tried to move on with our lives and do different things. So going back to that documentary we were all thinking we might get some closure from it to move on from that."

 

It was the positive response to the documentary that prompted tour promoters to offer them the chance to do it all again - something Owen thought would never happen.

 

 

"I must be honest I expected everybody to go 'no way', but you could see a little sparkle in their eyes. It lit a little spark inside of everybody," he says.

 

So they hit the road again, singing their old hits including Pray and Back for Good.

 

The tour was dogged by rumours that Williams, who went on to find huge success as a solo artist, might join them.

 

But it was not to be - the closest fans got was seeing a hologram of the singer up on stage performing in the introduction of Take That's 1992 hit Could It Be Magic.

 

With the group are back releasing new material and enjoying renewed success, they are crossing their fingers that Williams might change his mind.

 

Loyal

 

"It's something that we all would really like to happen one day, and that hasn't changed," says Owen.

 

"I dream that one day we'll get together as a fivesome, but I really don't know if that will ever happen, I can't say," he adds.

 

 

After a string of hits, Williams has received lukewarm reviews for his latest album Rudebox - just as his former band is enjoying a revival.

 

But Owen remains loyal to his former bandmate, brushing aside suggestions that he is suffering a decline.

 

"I think if you're writing off Robbie, I think you're being a bit silly. You know Rob will be back, I don't think he's ever gone away really," he says.

 

Owen explains that the band are treating their return to the top with caution, saying they are trying hard not to look too far ahead.

 

'Carried away'

 

"Sometimes we catch ourselves talking about the next album or the next tour, then we say 'hang on, let's just see how everything goes.'"

 

The musician has been here before and is all too familiar with how fickle the media and fans can sometimes be.

 

"Let's not get carried away with it because I think we really appreciate what's happened to us this year.

 

"But I'm sure in another month you'll be on the road talking to some other band and saying 'they've lost it.'"

 

Despite admitting that they are enjoying adulation again, Owen is realistic about where it could take them, and says he is just enjoying it for what it is.

 

"Were getting a chance to do things we never thought we'd do again. I think if you start expecting things, then there's only disappointment."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From http://www.channel4.com

 

Take That talk about new album

 

Last Modified: 2 Dec 2006

Source: ITN

 

Take That said they are delighted to be back with a new record after 11 years.

 

The band who appeared at a recent signing in London this week, revealed that all four members have contributed to the writing of their new record Beautiful World.

 

Jason Orange said: "I can't believe we're here doing it still after all this time.

 

Howard Donald went on: "It's been a fantastic experience. At the beginning of the album we all got together for two weeks and we just decided to write something together.

 

"We came up with a few songs, one especially I'd Wait For Life and we just thought, 'Yeah let's go for it.'"

 

The original members - Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard and Jason - re-formed without Robbie Williams in November 2005.

 

Since then they have embarked on a massive UK and Ireland tour and scored their first Number One this week with Patience.

 

© Independent Television News Limited 2006. All rights reserved.

 

 

From http://www.contactmusic.com

 

 

TAKE THAT singer GARY BARLOW has so much money, he's taking tips from former bandmate ROBBIE WILLIAMS on to how to increase his spending. Barlow raked in the cash after writing most of the reformed British boy band's hits, including BACK FOR GOOD and NEVER FORGET, in the 1990s, and he's now the band's richest member with an estimated fortune of $25.3 million (GBP13 million). However, he admits he got bored with extravagant spending after a while, saying, "I spent a million buying antiques and art work which I didn't even want. Some of them I bought from (SIR) ELTON JOHN. "Our house in Cheshire was full of clutter - every one of our rooms was crammed with stuff. We moved to London and decided to downsize and sell it all off. "When I met up with Robbie I asked what he spends his money on. There isn't anything I really need any more so I just buy gadgets." 02/12/2006 14:11

 

So is anyone going to watch An Audience With Tonight? (Anyone in the UK that is).

 

I might have a look although these programmes are usually terrible. <_<

No Im not going to watch it ^_^

I have it on in the background. They're doing Relight my Fire. I liked that one. Oh look here's Lulu. :rolleyes:

Lulu :o

Lulu looks younger every time you see her! :o

Usual Z-Listers in the 'celeb' audience I see. :lol:

At least Take That sing live. no bloody miming. ^_^

:unsure: Am I missing much :unsure: might have to get out of bed and go look at the tv now :P

They've just sang a couple of songs. But the show is totally 'live'. :o

 

 

bugger will have to go look now :blink:

Peter Kay is there. :lol:

He's so funny. :lol:

They sound pretty good, although they need to visit the barbers ^_^

Mark, Jason and Howard look like trendy rock stars while Gary looks like Val Doonican. :lol: Bless.

 

Oh and Mark just said 'w****r' on Live TV. :lol:

The song that they are singing now, sounds like it could be a scissor sisters song :unsure:

It's from the new album. :mellow:

Back for Good now. :dance: