Official Take That Thread-Have now touched all of TT, life=complete

[Princess]

It will grow on you! Like I've been playing it 10+ plays a day since it aired and I just love it more and more every day.

Did you watch the video? Or just listen?

[MarkWaldorf]

Listened lol

1000+ replies! Congrats!

[Princess]

Thank you! :bigsmile:

Ahhhhh I was just thinking to myself the other day I hope I get the 1000th reply-yayyyyyyyyyyy! :hugesmile:


You should watch the video! It will make you like the song more. Well it did for most people anyways.

Haha I'm not sure if I'm gonna survive this tour,I got SO hyper about X Factor earlier.

[MarkWaldorf]

Haha, when are they on XF? Now you know how I feel with Britney and Mimi! :elephant:

[KKBL]

:shocked:i heard on the radio that Croke Park sold out in an hour?!...WOW!i never thought they could sell 80,000 tickets in an hour as TT arent realy as popular here...(no offence:tongue:)

[Princess]

22nd! Which is right after Mariah and Britney. Its like obsessive Mark and Laura few weeks :laugh:

[Princess]

Originally posted by KKBL
:shocked:i heard on the radio that Croke Park sold out in an hour?!...WOW!i never thought they could sell 80,000 tickets in an hour as TT arent realy as popular here...(no offence:tongue:)


It was about a hour and a half. Yeah they are! I think loads of people who aren't that big as fans are going as well. I have a stressful ticket story about Dublin at the top of Page 40,it'll give you an insight,lol.

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Princess
22nd! Which is right after Mariah and Britney. Its like obsessive Mark and Laura few weeks :laugh:

Haha yayy

[Princess]

Originally posted by Markus
Originally posted by Princess
22nd! Which is right after Mariah and Britney. Its like obsessive Mark and Laura few weeks :laugh:

Haha yayy

And even outside X Factor! Like Brit and TT are everywhere! They're making me skint though. I bought a proper newspaper today for a tiny lil magazine in it with TT,got out of the shop and dumped the newspaper straight in the bin!

[Princess]

*waves goodnight*

I feel like I have to say night on this thread,lol.

[MarkWaldorf]

:(

[Princess]

Eurgh Gaz and Robbie were just on Sky Sports 1. It was WEIRD.

[Princess]

Bigger version of the GD cover

http://www.authoritydesign.com/takethat/tt_mailer_header_07-11-08.jpg

[Jen]

Originally posted by Princess
Eurgh Gaz and Robbie were just on Sky Sports 1. It was WEIRD.

It was so awkward...
But I cannot wait for Robbie to be back in action :D

[Princess]

All the Thatters are going mental about it. And now the press are going on *groans* If Rob is appearing on the tour,I swear I am NOT going,I cannot stand him! And neither can a whole pile of TT fans.

[Princess]

Video linkage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSwqfaccurw


My family dragged me in to see it,but I couldn't watch it,toooo weird.

[Jen]

Originally posted by Princess
All the Thatters are going mental about it. And now the press are going on *groans* If Rob is appearing on the tour,I swear I am NOT going,I cannot stand him! And neither can a whole pile of TT fans.

My brother said the same..

I think he might... :rolleyes:

[Princess]

NO NO NO NO!!!!!


I'm sorry but they can NOT sell tickets for a Take That tour and then have Robbie there. They are 2 seperate acts now and they can't just assume that people would be happy about it. The younger fans especially can't stand Robbie as we have never known anything but TT as a four-piece. They work so much better seperately. He cannot cannot come back!

[Callum]

I hate Robbie Williams. I feel sorry for you Laura if he's going to be at the tour, but on that video you could tell they disliked each other.

[Princess]

Thanks Callum.

I'm actually nearly in tears now,I shouldn't be getting so fret up about it.

[Jen]

Originally posted by Callum
I hate Robbie Williams. I feel sorry for you Laura if he's going to be at the tour, but on that video you could tell they disliked each other.

Sky Sports showed them again, with the both of them being unaware... they looked really friendly..

I love Robbie... but seperate from TT...:sad:

[Scarlett.]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/1madlady/article-1084069-0266ED50000005DC-32.jpg

There's nothing Take That fans would love more than to see the return of ex-member Robbie Williams.
And today reconciliation seemed on the cards, when the singer was spotted at a football match with former rival Gary Barlow.
The pair had waged a public feud after Robbie's departure from the boy band in 1995, but these pictures show they have well and truly buried the hatchet.



Robbie chatted to Gary and his two children in the stands before the Arsenal match against Manchester United at London's Emirates Stadium. The old friends laughed and joked around as they answered a few questions from a Sky Sports reporter, with Robb

However despite the display of camaraderie it seemed there was a touch of tension in the air. When asked about the fact they seemed to be on friendly terms the pair gave lighthearted responses.

Robbie, 34, joked: 'We've not spoken a word to each other yet - we don't know how this is going to go.' 'It could go either way this yet, mate,' Gary added. When asked why, as a Port Vale fan, he was at the game, Robbie said: 'Actually I do have to say that I call Man United Secret Vale because when you support Port Vale for as long as I have it's nice to have a decent win every now and again.

Multimillionaire Robbie has spent most of his time in Los Angeles, with his last album Rudebox receiving mixed reviews from critics. Meanwhile his former bandmates have enjoyed a successful comeback after reforming in 2005.

Tickets for Take That's 2009 tour became the fastest selling tour in UK history last week when fans snapped up 600,000 tickets in five hours.

A tour spokeswoman said there were no plans for Robbie to make an appearance. Jason Orange, 38, told the Daily Mirror last month that the group had resumed their friendship with Robbie, but a reunion wasn't on the cards.

He said: 'Rob’s looking really well at the moment. We went out for dinner and he was telling us he’s been chilling out and writing a lot, but nothing with us.'
Take That release their latest album The Circus on December 1st and Robbie is due to release his new album next year.

[Princess]

Thanks for that Chewy.


Pffffttt at the first line-that is so ridiculously untrue. Glad the tour rumour isn't true.

[Scarlett.]

Lol I thought that, us Robbie fans feel the same, Rob and Gary are getting on really well now, a reunion would probably ruin that, not to mention they work better apart

[pinkmichk]

as a serious robbie fan i dont want him to appear at the tt concerts either it should never ever ever be him performing with them he is a solo artist and they are a 4 piece band
plus he wouldnt do it anyway cos he is doing his album which has always meant a tour :lovedup: so he wouldnt do it for his mental and physical state

[Princess]

This has cheered me up no end

Mark with HAIR! I knew all he needed to do for me to love him again was take off that stupid hat and it's worked! I wuv him :lovedup:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/video/2008/nov/07/take-that-photoshoot

[Jen]

Aww (:

Your posts make me smile..

[Princess]

Originally posted by JDIZZEL
Aww (:

Your posts make me smile..

Aww that's made me all embarassed now,lol! :blush:

[Jen]

Originally posted by Princess
Originally posted by JDIZZEL
Aww (:

Your posts make me smile..

Aww that's made me all embarassed now,lol! :blush:

Don't stop making them.. :O

Its mainly on this thread because TT excite you.. LOL

[Princess]

Hahaha nah I won't! I can't help myself!

[Princess]

Decent video of the EMA performance

http://ema.mtv.co.uk/watch/115157275/10/#vidContainer


Is it June yet?

[Scarlett.]

Originally posted by JDIZZEL
Aww (:

Your posts make me smile..
I sooo agree, its nice to see someone who is enthusiastic :thumbs2:

[Scarlett.]

"Alas, there are no Hollywood names this year. Instead we have Take That, who already have an existing relationship with the retailer, brought in to push menswear for the first time, and seen at a country house party with its established bunch of female celebrities.

The campaign, which features Macy Gray singing Walking in a Winter Wonderland, debuts this Wednesday during Coronation Street and, according to M&S marketing director Steve Sharp, has a nostalgic theme to reassure customers.

It is not as glamorous as previous years' and, although it was shot in the same location, I bet the production costs were a fraction of last year's. While M&S is spending this Christmas, Sharp confirms that the company is pulling out of TV ads for fashion. It has also just announced that it is cutting its marketing spend in 2009."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/organgrinder/2008/nov/07/advertising

[Locke.]

Take That Week on the X Factor According to this post on DS-

I just had confirmed that the theme for 22nd of November will be the songs of Take That!

Guest artists will be Take That, Rhydian and Same Difference. Must be the first time they have 3 acts in one show, except for the finals, possibly to fill the time slot as by then there are only 6 contestants left...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=929617

I hope JLS do 'Relight My Fire', but there are a few others they'll be great with. No doubt Eoghan is going to slaughter my favourite Take That song, 'Babe'.

[MrGaryy]

Ugh, Diana HAS to do Back For Good!

[Princess]

Thanks for the news guys! Can't wait for the M&S ad,it'll certainly beat the Morrisons ad's! Hope the billboards go back up too.

[Locke.]

From Heatworld (Copy & Paste isn't working):

http://i38.tinypic.com/10mtqtt.png

http://www.heatworld.com/Article/7930/Take+That/Who+wants+to+have+safe+sex+with+Take+That!

[Scarlett.]

Aye, forget last years Twiggy and that

Its the boys turn now!:laugh: I enjoy the M&S Chrimbo ads :3

[Princess]

You know Chewy,first Gaz is with Rob and now the new M&S ad is on during Corrie,I think you'te behind it all :tongue:

[BigSister]

lol Laura
I heard greatest day a couple of days ago and i really like it

[Scarlett.]

Originally posted by Princess
You know Chewy,first Gaz is with Rob and now the new M&S ad is on during Corrie,I think you'te behind it all :tongue: Oh darn, I have been busted :joker:

Lol strange coincidences :laugh:

[Princess]

Really long but very very very very good interview




Jason Orange does not believe that I am a Take That fan. We've only just met and he is interrogating me to that end.

'Of course you say you like us,' he says. 'But that could be a tactic.' He is somewhat playful, somewhat serious, very compelling: a feline, considered creation in a razor-sharp suit, with a broach of plastic butterflies attached to his left lapel. 'It's a good tactic; but I've seen it before.'

But I am a fan, I say.

'Prove it,' he says.

Around us, an improbable quantity of people make themselves busy on the former set of BBC2's Dragons' Den, the location for today's photo shoot. There are at least twice as many people as can ever legitimately be on one shoot at one time, which suggests that half of them have popped by for a gawp. Take That are eminently gawp-able. The biggest pop band in the country (twice over) are easy on the eye, and mesmerising on account of the effort it takes to meld the myth of their celebrity with the reality of their flesh.

They're unperturbed by the gawping; they are used to it. They get on with things. Gary Barlow considers the myriad possibilities of eBay on a laptop in a corner. Mark Owen tries not to smoke; he's had hypnotherapy. ('This is my second day of not smoking; I'm trying to tidy things up a bit as I get older, trying to make that transition into being... wiser.') Howard Donald has his picture taken (he doesn't like it, he says; can't get used to it - celebrity doesn't sit easily with him). And Jason Orange wants to expose me as a fraud.

'When's my birthday?' he asks.

I don't know, I say. I have never been that sort of fan.

'Well, what sort of fan are you?'

Let's see. I'm the sort of fan who got into you when you launched, in 1991, back when five of you (Gary Barlow, then 20, Mark Owen, 19, Howard Donald, 23, Robbie Williams, a meagre 17, and you, Jason Orange, 21) were introduced to each other by Manchester-based manager Nigel Martin-Smith. There was a gap in a market flooded with faceless dance acts, a desperate hunger for gleeful pop delivered by a group of pretty, energetic, eager working-class boys.

It started as a joke, my fannishness; I considered myself too clever and too cool to completely subscribe to Take That's music, to the high-voltage, giddy, harmless pop of it all; but I gave up all pretence at irony in 1993, around the time of your first number one 'Pray' (a good song made better by a killer video), and abandoned myself completely by 1995's 'Back For Good', which I still believe to be the greatest break-up song of our time (that and the Cure's 'Pictures of You').

Four and a half years in, Robbie Williams went on a drug-, booze- and food-fuelled bender, leaving in July 1995 for a short-lived friendship with the Gallagher brothers of Oasis. I am the kind of fan who watched you perform as a foursome at the sell-out arena concerts you decided to attempt without Williams; and was delighted to discover you were good, really good, even without him.

I am the kind of fan who felt more than a pinch of loss when you held a press conference in February 1996 to announce that Take That were over. (I can remember being struck by Gary Barlow's odd syntax: 'Yes, the rumours are true; as of now, Take That are... no more.') I didn't ring the emergency lines established to marshal the grief of inconsolable teens - but I did miss you from time to time. I always danced to your songs at weddings, because they're always, always on the playlist.

Jason Orange looks suspicious.

'You could just be saying that,' he says.

But I'm not.

He stares at me for longer than I ever dared hope a member of Take That would stare at me.

'You're blushing,' he says.

I blush more.

'OK,' he says. He grins. 'I'm beginning to believe you're a Take That fan.'

Their revival began, in November 2005, with an ITV1 documentary, moved tentatively forward with a Greatest Hits album and tour (No 1 and a sell-out respectively), and then progressed with a three-record deal with Polydor, with Beautiful World, an album of new material and another tour (No 1 and a sell-out again). Now, it's well in its stride, with the launch of a newer album of new material, the (excellent) The Circus.

'Being a good pop band,' Jason Orange tells me, 'is not just about good pop songs. It's about a good story. Our story is...' He grins again. He does like to grin. 'Our story is pretty good.'

'It's an unbelievable journey, ' says Gary Barlow. 'It's a script you wouldn't believe.'

Take That revived is not just about the triumph of joy-filled pop. It's about redemption, rebirth, enduring friendship, undercut with a smidgeon of nostalgia for a time that predated mobile phones, iPods, Google and Heat magazine. And in the current gloomy climate, we're all fans.

Take That turned up for the interview in dribs and drabs, at around about the appointed hour. Mark Owen arrived first, wearing an M&S trilby, clutching a Tupperware tub of sausage casserole. 'Made it last night,' he says. 'Brought it along for lunch. It's better the next day.' He's a little jagged on account of missing the cigs, a little bit edgy.

But every once in a while he smiles - and choirs of angels sing and the sun breaks through the clouds because Owen is ethereally sweet looking, a diminutive 36-year-old woodland creature type, who exudes gentleness and benevolence.

Then Jason Orange turns up ('I know you, don't I? We've met before! We have! No? Are you sure? I never forget faces. Are you nervous? Don't be nervous. Why are you nervous?'), then Howard Donald. Gary Barlow is last; but he gets there in the end ('Hello! Hello!') and suddenly, there they are, the four remaining members of Take That.

They come to talk to me about The Circus, one by one. Part of the deal on re-forming - thrashed out in an all-night session at Gary Barlow's house shortly after the ITV documentary wrapped - was that they worked collectively on all future music. First time around, Barlow was the group's creative force; he wrote all the songs, sang the majority of lead vocals, and pocketed most of the cash. This time, though, they have (as Radio 1's Chris Moyles put it) been unionised. They write together. They split the lead vocals. Nigel Martin-Smith is completely uninvolved.

Take That's sound is better for this; The Circus is their best album by some distance. It's grand and camp and theatrical, its range is broader thematically. It has wit (especially 'Up All Night' and 'How Did it Come to This?'). It is sometimes whimsical, sometimes epic ('The Garden', is a storming invocation to be happy and loved; my favourite, 'Here', is all triumph and belonging). It is rammed with vast and flawed rhetoric; but still The Circus is irrepressible and lovable, and its heart is in the right place. It'll be brilliant live.

'Really?' says Mark Owen. 'You like it? Oh, I'm going to have to put my sandwich down for that!' He does. 'Oh, that's great. That's brilliant. And you liked the old stuff too? Oh. Brilliant. Brilliant.'

There's a lot of you on it, I say.

'Cost me a fortune, that. It's usually round about £300 a lead.'

Who gets the cash? Gary?

'You pay in a roundabout way. Taking them to the pub. Getting them drunk. It's not always cash money. You have to wine and dine them. If you want a lead, you wine and dine the lads.'

But seriously, he says, the decision on who sung what fell quite naturally. Writing and recording began in April; each of them engaged more completely with one or other of the songs. Though not always. 'So, I wanted to sing the bridge on "The Garden", I was hoping it'd be my role, you know: [He sings] "Everyone! Everyone!" I was really looking forward to that... and as we were getting to it, I was getting ready to sing, and... Howard sung it. And it sounded... better.'

(This possibly came as a surprise to Owen, who once worked in a bank and had a convincing, if uncommercial, reinvention as an indie artist in between Take That's two incarnations; while Donald DJed and produced dance music.)

'Oh,' says Gary Barlow, 'it's been lovely, working this way. Lovely. I'm a workaholic. I'm a man in turmoil if I don't write, if I don't get it out, on the piano. I forget things. I lose things. But it was a pleasure to work this way, a pleasure to let them take the reins. It's been lovely to watch and lovely to be a part of it and I loved it.'

Which is... lovely.

Take That are lovely. Lovely is their schtick. Read any interview, ask anyone who has ever met them, and that's all you'll get. 'Lovely.'

I dig for a different perspective; a flaw might even make the reputed loveliness more convincing, relatively. I get... nowhere. 'They are lovely, lovely people,' says Mark Frith, the ex-editor of Heat, who edited Smash Hits in the days when Take That were on every other cover. 'Unaffected. Ordinary. I first met them when they came into the office and made tea for us, around the time of the first single. I remember Mark and Gary walking round the office with pieces of paper with everyone's milk and sugar requirements noted down. It was great tea, proper northern tea.' ('I do make a good cup of tea,' confirms Owen.)

Piers Morgan, their official biographer, says: 'In an industry full of snakes, con artists, sleazeballs and fakes, they shine out as a bastion of old-fashioned decency, respect and talent.' Alex James tried not to like them, and failed. 'We first encountered them at a TV show before Blur or Take That were famous. We were all moody and hungover and "who are these prancing puppet doinks?". But they were all really smiley and soft and wide-eyed and irresistibly pleasant.

'There is a theory that they were incredibly nice to absolutely everybody and some of the runners and researchers they were nice to are now running things and were more than happy to give them a helping hand when they needed it. Not like East 17, who were unpleasant, or New Kids on the Block, who are truly vile. It's the triumph of nice. Bravo.'

No one's got a bad word to say about you, I tell Barlow. 'We're fooling everybody then,' he says.

What's my experience of their loveliness? They are good-tempered. They're interested. They're engaged, curious in a scattergun way. They want to know what I think about god, the cruelty of contemporary celebrity culture, conspiracy theories and the possibility that we're now living in the future. Orange asks lots of questions. 'I need to know who I'm talking to, before I start telling you all about me. Makes sense, doesn't it?'

Is it important to you to be liked, I ask him.

'Very. Very. I want to be loved by everybody,' he says. 'Sad, isn't it?'

Is being liked more important to you than it is to the others?

'We're all people-pleasers. All of us.'

Even Barlow?

'Gary probably less so. He's probably the most secure in himself. Us three... ****ing wombling bumbling idiots in the background, are not as secure. Not compared to rock Gary.'

They are also, fortunately, tolerant. In January, I wrote 400 words for Grazia magazine detailing precisely how much I fancied Howard Donald, on the assumption that he'd never read it. He did, and now he's sitting in front of me. He makes it easy for me; he teases me, he laughs, he switches to asking me very straightforward questions about my job when he sees I'm getting flustered. 'Are you disappointed now you've met me?' he asks. He genuinely suspects I could be. Only Donald is beautiful in an uncomplicated way; he is not remotely disappointing. 'No,' I say. And then: 'No no no no no.' Because I am that cool.

So I buy their loveliness. I am less convinced by Take That's pretensions toward being ordinary. They're very attached to the idea that they are ordinary, but... how can they be, possibly?

Donald insists that he has had a normal life. No, you haven't, I say. 'Of course I have! I only joined this band when I was 23.' You're 40 now, that's 17 years of extraordinary - and, PS, you're wearing Dior and you've barely noticed. He won't have it. 'I did YTS [a government youth training scheme] for two years, I was on the dole for two weeks, between leaving the YTS and the job.' He was a vehicle painter when Martin-Smith offered him a place in the band. His parents couldn't understand why he would walk away from £140 a week for something as nebulous as a stint in a boy band. 'I went out, I walked round to every car firm asking for a job. I got my job that way.' He laughs. 'Oh, your heart bleeds for me, doesn't it?'

He pauses. 'I wasn't made to be a pop star. My confidence levels just aren't high enough.'

Gary Barlow is less attached to ordinary. You can tell by the way he says: 'I am a prolific songwriter,' with no apology whatsoever. Within the past few months, as well as working on The Circus, Barlow churned out the songs for ITV1's shiny new tween-luring musical drama Britannia High, and also co-wrote Peter Kay's X-Factor spoofing 'The Winners Song'. I've always been quite fascinated by him; he is such an odd collision of middle-aged dad-ishness, naked ambition and glamour. He is Peter Kay doing Elton John; he wears designer cashmere and talks Saturday night TV. 'Hey! Isn't Saturday night busy? You've got Strictly, you've got X Factor... oh, but Dancing on Ice, that's my favourite! Eh? I've got to prepare for two years' time, when I'm on it.'

Mark Frith says you're the best pop stars in the world, I tell him. 'Pop star? Isn't that great? Isn't it? I love that. "Pop star". How brilliant that I'm a pop star! Me! Was it all I ever wanted to be? It's all I still ever want to be! "Pop star".'

How's your ego, I ask. Barlow seems to have adjusted to the new regime, but you never can tell. He was the group's focus for a long time, after all.

'It's all right! It's under control! We've all got egos. We wouldn't be doing this if we hadn't. But it's knowing it and dealing with it. I check myself a lot. I can be the most overpowering of us four.'

I wonder if he is as ambitious as ever. He was always considered to be the most ruthlessly focused of the lot; he'd been touring the northern club scene for two years when Nigel Martin-Smith got his hands on him. It was Barlow who disbanded the group to pursue a solo career; Barlow who entered into a feud with Robbie Williams, when they were bidding for chart success simultaneously; Barlow who suffered public humiliation when his career failed, and Williams flourished. Has all of that affected him?

'Um, I'm ambitious still, but it's controlled a little bit more these days. In my twenties, I'd have stepped over anybody to get where I need to be.'

Were you cut-throat?

'Oh yeah. Me and Robbie used to play terrible tricks on each other. I took Robbie's album back to a music shop once and...' He laughs. 'Stupid, stupid things! Things you wouldn't dream of doing as a 37-year-old bloke. Quite seriously I'd do it, as well. It wouldn't be as a joke. '

What calmed you down?

'Life. Life did. It just happened. And one of the big things was, when I was out of work for a few years, I really missed it all. I missed it terribly.'

He's certainly not without vulnerability. Barlow is an emotional eater. He put on five stone after Take That ended and his record label dropped him. His wife Dawn packed him off to see a doctor, who told him he'd die at 52 if he carried on. He's slimmed down and toned up and he looks good on it; the early, craggy stages of middle-age suit him. But he is terrified of getting fat again. 'I weigh myself every morning. I have a once-a-month therapy thing. I really, really enjoy therapy. It's another opportunity for me to talk, to talk about me and about food.'

Jason Orange - formerly a painter and decorator by day, a dancer on Pete Waterman's The Hitman and Her by night - isn't ordinary either. He's too complicated. Too eccentric, too mannered, too thoughtful, very funny. He doesn't translate brilliantly into print. 'My introspection gets mistaken for self-absorption,' he says. 'Which, to be fair, sometimes, it is.'

He's arch, he's mischievous. I'm never sure if he's serious. I ask what he does for fun, and he says: 'I don't go out to clubs all that much. I'm 38. Nightclubs are great if you want to dance, get drunk, or cop off with someone. And I love doing all three, so I'd get found out straight away.'

He is single and inclined to say things like (when I ask if he fancies any of Girls Aloud): 'Only in as much as I fancy all girls, all the time.' But then he says he wants a wife and babies, because that's the whole point, isn't it?

Do you like being in Take That?

'Sometimes.' He speaks incredibly softly. 'It is nice, now. It's really nice. But... I was fighting it a bit, when we first got back together. It felt the strangest to me, I think.'

Why?

'Lots of reasons. I was fighting it, I was not sitting that comfortably with it, and I didn't notice how nice it was. I think they noticed - particularly Gary and Howard - they were revelling in it, enjoying it. Especially Gary, who had it taken from him, in such a big way. So to be handed it back, he relished it and relaxed with it a lot quicker and more easily than I did.'

Take That talk, with varying degrees of willingness, about the first time, the highlights of which, according to Jason Orange, were: 'Playing on stage. Hotel capers. Running through the corridors early hours; having food fights, having people in your room, emptying the minibar, every other rock'n'roll cliche - we gave it another pop. In our own little innocent way. There's more but I'll only tell you that when you've turned your tape off.' (He doesn't.)

They got rich, which was nice. 'Money's never been an issue, thankfully,' says Gary Barlow, with what I can only assume is understatement, given how often their songs are used on ads for supermarkets, and to crank up the tension at crucial moments on TV talent programmes. 'It's good,' says Jason Orange. 'Help your family out. Buy your mum a house. Great feeling. Every kid wants to buy their mum a house.' There's a naughty pause. 'Especially 'cause we didn't put it in their names. Put it in your name, so when they pop off, it's your investment. See?'

And there were the girls. 'Ah,' says Mark Owen, who was the most adored of the group, on account of his prettiness. 'It was all a bit chaotic really.'

'I just never understood why they were all... always... screaming,' says Howard Donald. He looks genuinely confused. 'And they were so young. Fourteen, 13, 12... and... just... screaming. I thought it was... stupid, really.' Then this 40-year-old man smiles. 'And Mark had the most fans, and that really didn't make any sense, didn't understand that one...'

Were you selling sex, I ask Mark Owen. He doesn't like the question.

'Yeah. Or, erm... I didn't... see it, in that way, then. We were sexual. We had a lot of energy, and it was a great feeling. I didn't look at it as... what's the word? As calculated. As cynical. As "selling sex". Now, though, when you look at it...' He tails off. I think of the 1991 video for 'Do What U Like', in which they had jelly eaten off their semi-naked bodies by Lycra-clad models. 'At the time, I thought we were just having a laugh. But Jay will probably stand here for an hour and talk about, were we selling sex? He'd love it.' (Orange is not so sure, in fact. 'What do you mean? We weren't doing pornos!')

How much easier is it to get girls when you're a pop star? Statistically?

'Oh, 100 per cent,' says Gary Barlow. 'Hundred per cent.'

'I don't think it's any easier,' says Jason Orange. 'Really. I don't. Put it this way. When I was at the height of my fame, the first time around, I've got five brothers - and at least three of them had many more girlfriends than I did. I was grafting my nuts off on the road, getting a little kiss here, and a little cuddle there, while them... they were sorting women out, left, right and centre.'

Take That talk, with surprising alacrity, about Robbie Williams. When Williams left, he was vitriolic about the band, particularly Gary Barlow and Nigel Martin-Smith. He dedicated 1998's bitter (and brilliant) 'No Regrets' to all of them. Although he participated in For the Record, the 2005 documentary, he wouldn't meet the others in person; he sent them a video filled with apologies and good wishes instead.

'My regrets about re-forming are... absolutely none,' says Mark Owen, 'except I would have loved for Rob to have come and done it with us. He should be here, having a cup of tea. Having a laugh. The good thing, though, is that, originally, I wanted him to come back so that we could make something right, something that had been wrong. Back in the past. But I think we've done that now.' They all met up on a recent trip to LA; they had dinner together. 'Really, all Take That is is a therapy session. One long therapy session.'

Gary Barlow, who had the hardest time with Williams, will only say: 'I don't feel... anything about Robbie now.'

Aren't you even a bit pleased that your situations have been reversed; that your career is flourishing while Williams's falters?

'I feel really good about what's happening with us, I feel good about it all; but not at Robbie's expense. Not at all.'

The next time we meet is in an antechamber of London's fashionable Soho Hotel. Jonathan Ross is weathering the Russell Brand phone prank storm in the lobby, Nancy Dell'Olio is taking tea in the drawing room, and Take That have assembled to announce a stadium tour next summer.

They are delighted and daunted by the prospect, they say. They wrote the whole album with a view to performing it, but 'there's always a bit of dread,' says Jason Orange. 'Or maybe trepidation's a better word.'

Are you confident it'll sell out, I ask. 'No problem. Job done,' says Gary Barlow. 'No doubt at all. Our fans always pull it out the bag for us.'

They're on their way to Manchester to play The Circus for their families; they're nervous about this because it'll be the record's biggest audience so far. Howard Donald's dad, in particular, is a harsh critic. 'He heard "Greatest Day" [the first single] on the radio the other day, and he says: "I can't hear you lot. I can only hear Gary singing." I thought, "What do I say to that? I know, dad! You're right!"'

Does it matter that people like it, I ask.

'Out of us four, nobody else,' says Barlow.

'Ultimately,' says Orange, 'I agree with Gaz. If no one likes it, we got it wrong. That's OK. Except we won't be special any more and we'll have to go back to school and get proper jobs.'

'It's really important,' says Howard Donald. 'I'll be so disappointed if they don't. I want the world to like it.'

'I've done that whole thing of: I don't care what people think,' says Mark Owen. 'And it's a whole lot nicer when people do like your record. Even knowing you've got a record out is a whole lot nicer than not knowing you've got a bloody record out.'

Take That didn't need to re-form. They didn't need the money, and they'd all made peace with their lives outside of the band - found other things to do, things they'd enjoyed. Three of them had children. (Barlow has a son and a daughter with Dawn - they're expecting another child later this year; Owen has a son with his long-term girlfriend, Emma Ferguson, who is expecting their second child; Donald has two daughters with two ex partners, and maintains a close relationship with both girls.) But they got back together again anyway, because there's something unique in this collection of men. They started off as a contrivance, as the flight of Nigel Martin-Smith's fancy, as a business proposition; they ended up defining tightness as a band.

'As individuals,' says Donald, 'we're all right. We're talented, in our ways. But as a group, we are a force. We are a bond. "Force." Ha! Sounds big-headed. But... you know what I mean.'

I do. Take That are fun to watch, to be near. They whisper, they gossip, laugh, wind each other up. They are flagrantly pleased by each other; by what they've got back, in terms of friendship.

'Have you seen how we have a laugh?' says Jason Orange. 'All of us, having a laugh. Bunch of lads. Mates. Men don't... men aren't that good really. Blokes find it harder than girls, to chat. It's well known, isn't it? But because we're in close proximity a lot of the time, we're forced to talk about things. We learned how to be close, without having to go to a football match to do it, or having to go to the pub to get pissed to do it.' In fact, three of them now live within 500 yards of each other in west London, while Owen lives in south London. 'We're sorting our own little world out, together.'

Is that one of the best bits?

'It's the best bit. Better than anything. Better than the music.'

I wonder how far they want to take it this time. They've got the country at their feet again - in a less frenzied but perhaps more convincing way. The Circus will go to No 1; the tour will sell out (I'll be screaming in a front row, even though I'm almost as old as they are).

Gary Barlow shouldn't really get the last word any more, but he's an old pro, so I give it to him anyway.

Are you ever going to get tired of this, I ask him.

'No,' he says, 'I can't see it. I can't see it. This will be our fourth Christmas with product. I think we're all aware that maybe we should just back off the records for a little bit now. Because I think, pretty much, we can come back whenever we like. Can't we? And it's a lovely feeling, that.'

I see Take That revivals and rebirths spiralling off into the future, and I think: yeah, that is a lovely feeling.

• 'Greatest Day' (Polydor) is out on 24 November; The Circus follows on 1 December. Take That tour the UK in June 2009

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/09/take-that-barlow-robbie-williams

[pinkmichk]

not read it all at the mo but will do as soon as got 3 yr old in bed but the first bit about liking them from the start etc is exactly how i was (i was actually seriously mad on them then even had the tt duvet cover but right from the start was a rob fan)

[Princess]

Hah I'm actually like that,I would have a duvet set if they still did them. Jay's birthday is July 10th,I was driving myself crazy earlier because I couldn't remember Gaz's brothers name!

[Scarlett.]

I'll have a go at reading that later xD

[pinkmichk]

me and my sis drove my mum nuts they were sold out everywhere and we still made her keep checking shops almost daily :laugh: but i had pretty much everything else it was one of the only things left that i really wanted no idea what happened to all my tt stuff (pens posters diarys annuals pencil cases dolls etc etc:blush2: ) maybe i gave it all up in protest when rob left cos i was one of the teens who was in pieces although i didnt ring the helpline i was upset and it was pretty much the end of the world for me:blush2:

[Princess]

Awwwwwwwww! I couldn't imagine what I'd be like if they break up. I really want the dolls! But the 5 of them can go for like £100 on eBay.

I have the DVD's,albums,singles,books,tour progammes and a whole lot of tour merchandise.

[pinkmichk]

omg this is exactly the set i had if i didnt have a double bed would be bidding out of pure nostalgia (wonder if my 3yr old would give up her fairy bed set for some classic tt:laugh2:)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Take-That-duvet-cover_W0QQitemZ130266755468QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m130266755468&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

[Princess]

I have a single bed......

Go on brainwash your daughter :tongue:

[pinkmichk]

i already have she cheers when rob comes on the radio :whistle:

[Princess]

Hahahaha! Well done!

[Princess]

Just been listening to some random Coventry radio station for a hour to hear Luke and Bex(who weren't on) and now they're playing Greatest Day which totally makes up for it.

[Princess]

Bump for the new title!

[Princess]

M&S ad's

Normal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz7huqlNrzI

Extended version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbh65t80wYs

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee fricking love it!!!!! So never fast forwarding on Sky+ again.

[BigSister]

Yay i saw the ad its so cool

[Corkie]

Lol, what a lovely feel good advert.
I saw it during corrie and thought of you princess :laugh:

[Princess]

Init so Christmasey? And Mark has hair! Well for some of it anyways! :hugesmile:

Corkie,you can call me Laura,didn't you used to? lol :tongue:

[BigSister]

haha when the vid comes on I spotted the hat and i said oh no Laura doesnt like Marks hat hehe

[Princess]

Haha yeah I hate that fricking hat! There's this dead cat one which is just as bad. He has some decent ones but the rest are just dire.


Anyways!

From Heatworld,who love the boys just as much as I do!

It’s a very exciting time to be a Take That fan. There’s a new album coming up (yay) and then there’s next summer’s record-breaking stadium tour to look forward (double yay). Not only that, but the boys are currently starring in the latest Christmassy adverts for Marks & Spencer, and they look totally hot, hot, hot (the advert premiered during Corrie last night, but if you were busy exfoliating your elbows, you can watch it here). And now for the best news of all – if you want to get up close to their hotness (and who wouldn’t?), we think you'll be keen to discover that ITV are filming a very special TT TV show, and they’re offering super fans the chance to be part of the audience! Simply click here to find out how you can win free tickets! heatworld’s already sent off an application, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed, which makes typing a challenge. With all this Take That activity, we’re not going to be able to get away from the boys over the coming months, and that’s just how we like it.

http://www.heatworld.com/Article/7970/Take+That/If+youre+a+Take+That+fan%2c+you+HAVE+to+read+this

[MarkWaldorf]

You should go! :laugh:

[Princess]

Originally posted by Markus
You should go! :laugh:

Wish I could! But it's in Manc and I have no money and then theres those things called uni and exams.

7 months till Dublin concert! Yayyyyyyy.

[MarkWaldorf]

....and how many days is that? I remember in 2006 you had a 200 day countdown in your sig lmao

[Princess]

211 :tongue:

[MarkWaldorf]

:tongue:

[Princess]

Album reviews

DS

Earlier today three tracks from Take That's new album, The Circus, arrived in our inbox. We've been listening to them ever since and here's what we've got to report:

'Said It All'
There are hints of Coldplay and Snow Patrol to this Gary Barlow-sung chugger, which deals with that moment in a break-up where there's "nothing to say at all, nothing to say that matters". It's nothing Take That didn't do on their last album, Beautiful World, but the climax is suitably rousing.

'Up All Night'
Sung by Mark Owen, this Beatlesy gem skips along from folky verses to 'Shine'-y, harmony-drenched choruses. The whole song's a delight, but the best bit comes when Marky shows his laddish side on the middle 8. "I met this girl last night and she said, 'Why won't you marry me?'" he sings. "Well I'm too young for that, too dumb for that, too tired for that, too proud for that, too cool for that. Would you like to come back to my flat?"

'The Garden'
Gary Barlow and Mark Owen share lead vocals on this epic, stirring ballad, which is packed with positive messages about love, unity and seizing the day. "This is the life you've been given, so open your mind and start living" goes the chorus. It's 100% sentimental but pretty charming with it.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a135551/take-that-album-update.html


Capital Radio

The release of Take That's new album is just weeks away and we've been given a taster of what to expect from the record.

The four tracks we've heard - The Garden, Said It All, Up All Night and the single, Greatest Day bode very well for the follow-up to their chart-topping, Beautiful World album. Here's our track-by-track rundown of what we've heard so far...



The Garden
A five minute epic, this is a song that just gets bigger and bigger in sound as it progresses. Beginning with a gentle piano intro and a delicate vocal performance from Mark Owen, soaring strings, marching band-style drums, horns and guitars are all gradually chucked into the mix before it crescendos into its anthemic 'this is the life we've been given, so open your mind and start living' chorus. It's an ambitious track and is exactly the reason why they've been so massive since making their return a couple of years ago.


Greatest Day
You'll have all heard their latest single by now. It's a proper grown-up pop record along the same lines as Rule The World and sees the boys try their hand at a much more complex vocal arrangement than we've heard from them previously. The track is available to download from November 24th and you can check out pictures from the video shoot here.



Said It All
Goodness - they've really gone overboard with the strings on this album! Said It All is a bleak, rock-influenced, break-up anthem which wouldn't have sounded out of place of Snow Patrol's recent album.




Up All Night
Mark Owen takes the lead on this one once again and, while it starts off with just an acoustic guitar and percussion for accompaniment, it morphs into something altogether very different. If we had to compare it to anything, it would be their hit single, Shine crossed with I Can't Decide from Scissor Sisters' second album, Ta-Dah... only with a brass band trumping in the background. We're expecting a great performance of this on their upcoming tour.



While it's difficult to judge a twelve track album on the basis of four tracks, this has certainly whet our appetite. We recommend adding it to your Christmas list pronto!

If you fancy seeing Take That live, don't forget tickets for their 2009 UK tour are on sale now and you can catch them performing their new single on the X Factor on November 22nd.

The Circus is released on Polydor Records on December 1st.

http://www.capitalradio.co.uk/music-showbiz/music/music-reviews/albums/take-circus/


Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee so excited now!!!!!!! It's 2 weeks tomorrow till it's released in Ireland!

[pinkmichk]

a bit more on the tv special from facebook update
Take That are filming a new TV special which will be broadcast on ITV in December.

The one-off spectacular will feature songs from the new album, The Circus as well as some of the classics.

The TV special will be recorded in front of a live studio audience in Manchester and we want you to be there!

Yes, at the band's request, we have been given a selection of tickets for the filming of this show just for the fans here and so now is your chance to be there!

The show is being filmed over 2 days on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd November in Manchester so if you want to be in the audience click here

http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/reg/reg.pl?id=3573-67834

and select which date you would like to go to - you can select both!

Please note: this competition is for access to the recording of the show only and does not include travel to Manchester or accommodation...

[Princess]

From a Coldplay interview recently!

You're playing in the UK right up to Christmas, with the last show on December 23rd in Belfast.
Yeah. And I would also like to do something on Christmas Eve, but I'm not sure if it's possible. I have to say, it does feel weird that we haven't been in Britain at all. Over the last week or so, the realisation of that has really hit. But I think next year we'll make up for it.

Is that a hint towards future plans?
Well, we tried to get Knebworth but it just wasn't possible. So we're having to think of something else. In fact, I think we have thought of something else. Hopefully we'll be able to announce it soon. And hopefully it's not the same day that Oasis have booked it.

Although that would be a good double bill.
It would be a great double bill. And we wouldn't mind opening. I would also, funnily enough, open for Take That. We were in the dressing room yesterday and, for whatever reason, we started singing Back For Good. We sang the whole thing, word for word, with all the right chords on our piano, without having to learn it or anything. It was great. So I'd like to use this forum, the Coldplay website, to announce that if Take That want us to open for them, we'll do it. The only problem is that we'll have to get down the gym for a bit.
http://www.coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=204

That would be AMAZING. I love Coldplay


Radio interviews

http://www.brmb.co.uk/Article.asp?id=959337
http://www.metroradio.co.uk/Article.asp?id=957394&spid=20377

[Princess]

Crappy review of GD

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2008/11/take_that_the_greatest_day.shtml

Although I do love this bit,purely because it's so true :laugh:

I also know that they have an army of devoted fans who will love them no matter what, and who will destroy anyone who dares to question the brilliance of their comeback material.

It was brilliant though,that should not be questioned :tongue:

[MarkWaldorf]

I like GD now :blush:

[Princess]

Originally posted by Markus
I like GD now :blush:


YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! *Hugs*

[MarkWaldorf]

LOL :laugh: Ever since that frigging 4Music advert! I always sing "today this could beeeeee the greatest *does weird vocal thing* dayyy of our livess!"

[Princess]

News which I hope isn't true

ROBBIE & TAKE THAT ARE BACK IN STUDIO*
(*Sorry folks, that's a TV studio, but maybe one day)
By Alice Walker & Katie Hind

Robbie Williams is set to make a sensational comeback to Take That - this week.

He will be reunited with the rest of the lads in his old band at the filming of a one-off telly show.

Robbie, 34, will be a surprise guest in the studio audience as Take That star in a Christmas special An Audience With..Only last week Robbie and GARY BARLOW patched up their differences at a footie match - as The People revealed.

Gary, 37, persuaded Rob to make a cameo appearance on the show along with the other guys MARK OWEN, HOWARD DONALD and JASON ORANGE. A source said: "Gary was pleading with Robbie to come back and join them on their tour next summer and he was happy to discuss it.

"Then he mentioned this new show that they are filming in Manchester. Robbie joked that he could come along.

"It all spiralled from there and Robbie is planning to sneak into the filming and be a surprise guest. Imagine the look on everyone's faces when the camera pans around the audience and there he is."

The five boys haven't performed together since Robbie quit Take That in 1995. But the Angels singer was clearly delighted to be hanging out with Gary at the Arsenal-Manchester United game at The Emirates Stadium in London.

With his arm around his old mate and grinning broadly, Robbie said: "This is the first time we've seen each other in two years. We'll see how it goes."

It's been a long time coming but we reckon this reunion will definitely be worth the wait.'

http://www.people.co.uk/showbiz/showbiz/tm_headline=robbie-take-that-are-back-in-studio&method=full&objectid=20898556&siteid=93463-name_page.html

[Princess]

Originally posted by Markus
LOL :laugh: Ever since that frigging 4Music advert! I always sing "today this could beeeeee the greatest *does weird vocal thing* dayyy of our livess!"

Haha I only just saw that ad today! I'm glad,lol. It really is a grower. The day after CiN it got 10,000 views on YT. And still got the X Factor next week!

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Princess
Originally posted by Markus
LOL :laugh: Ever since that frigging 4Music advert! I always sing "today this could beeeeee the greatest *does weird vocal thing* dayyy of our livess!"

Haha I only just saw that ad today! I'm glad,lol. It really is a grower. The day after CiN it got 10,000 views on YT. And still got the X Factor next week!

I saw it last week! lol I love the bit where Britney shakes what her momma gave her.

[Princess]

Lmao. So we're both happy then :tongue:

You can't really get away from them on ad's-M&S,4Music,ITV-init great!

[Callum]

Just thought I'd say Greatest Day is at #2 on the UK iTunes top videos.

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Princess
Lmao. So we're both happy then :tongue:

You can't really get away from them on ad's-M&S,4Music,ITV-init great!

Yeah....it sure is :whistle:

[Princess]

Ooooh yay thanks for that Callum! :hugesmile:

[Princess]

Forgot to put this up the other day

CiN performance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGW27nWRf1A

[MarkWaldorf]

I remember thinking you were having a seizure when they performed! :tongue:

[Callum]

Originally posted by Princess
Ooooh yay thanks for that Callum! :hugesmile:

It was only added yesterday as well. :shocked:

[MarkWaldorf]

Wow! Go TT!

[Princess]

Originally posted by Markus
I remember thinking you were having a seizure when they performed! :tongue:

Lmao,no. I was babysitting and one of them was trying to sleep like next to me when it was on,so I had to be calmer than usual :laugh:

Wow,thats really good for one day! really really really hope they get Number 1 with this,everyone seems to love it.

[MarkWaldorf]

It would get number one regardless if everyone loved it! :tongue: They have a big fanbase.

[Princess]

Yeah I knoww but after Bleeding Love beating RTW,I'm just worried. Although that song was huge and TT would have got Number 1 so easily had it not been there.

[MarkWaldorf]

Yeah, obviously! It was still in the charts MONTHS after its release.
Although I think thats cause its always used for sad moments on reality shows. :tongue:

[Princess]

Haha yeah,Gary said in a interview he always watched talent shows just to hear their songs at moments like that,lol!

It hasn't left the Top 100 since last year.

[MarkWaldorf]

Is it still around? :shocked: Jesus!

[Princess]

Yeah! It was number 35 in the Hit40UK the other week.

[MarkWaldorf]

Oh my god lol. I was just looking back through this thread the other day when one of their songs came out and charted at like 17! lol

[Princess]

Yeah that was I'd Wait For Life. The boys did like no promo for that single at all. It was their own fault really,I think they've learned their lesson now!

[MarkWaldorf]

:tongue: And you were begging people to buy it.

[Princess]

Haha yes,but I do that for every single!

I'm buying like 7 copies of Greatest Day and giving them as 'presents' to people,lol.

[MarkWaldorf]

OMG LOL! People will actually take them from you? :tongue:

[Princess]

OI! Of course they will,lol. I already told them all that they were getting one!

[MarkWaldorf]

Haha, ok. Good luck with it then. :tongue:

[Princess]

Why thank you! I really should order them off Amazon though,buying them here makes no difference to the UK charts.

[MarkWaldorf]

You need to move to the UK!

[Princess]

I DO! Shame uni here is pretty much free and well your's isn't. I'll be there soon enough :tongue:

And for now I have next summer to look forward to!

[MarkWaldorf]

Where do you plan on living?

[Princess]

London! Doesn't that make you happy :tongue:

[MarkWaldorf]

Oh god LOL
I'll have to teach you how to happy slap for protection.

[Jen]

Originally posted by Markus
Oh god LOL
I'll have to teach you how to happy slap for protection.


Awww

[Princess]

Hahaha,noooooo.

I learnt self-defence the other week,I'll be grand! Although my brother did try and choke me the other day and I couldn't get off of it,so maybe not....

(He was just testing me..)

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Princess
Hahaha,noooooo.

I learnt self-defence the other week,I'll be grand! Although my brother did try and choke me the other day and I couldn't get off of it,so maybe not....

(He was just testing me..)

Thank god for that lmao

[Princess]

Haha,I wrote that and was like 'Ok that doesn't sound good!' :laugh:

[MarkWaldorf]

Haha! :hugesmile:

my endlesss loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[Princess]

Mariah?


12 DAYS TILL THE CIRCUS :hugesmile:

I was supposed to be off at 1 that day but now I've had something rescheulded so I'm in till 3,but I might just head into town during lunch,get the album and go straught back,I should make it....

[rayheartbliss]

why is there three threads of this

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Princess
Mariah?


12 DAYS TILL THE CIRCUS :hugesmile:

I was supposed to be off at 1 that day but now I've had something rescheulded so I'm in till 3,but I might just head into town during lunch,get the album and go straught back,I should make it....

Yeah!

OMG SAME! I'm meant to be leaving school at 1, but I'm gonna leave at 12 and rush straight to HMV to get my copy of Circus. 2 versions actually. :laugh:

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by rayheartbliss
why is there three threads of this

"shadow topics" apparently.

[Princess]

Wooo,so we just as bad as each other then! I'm getting 2 versions too. I've run off money this month for food and socialising because I've saved enough for the albums and singles,lol.


If we were normal,there would be plurals of those.....

[rayheartbliss]

um..ok

its just a bit messy when your trying to click the thread and you get put on a different thread! ^.^

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Princess
Wooo,so we just as bad as each other then! I'm getting 2 versions too. I've run off money this month for food and socialising because I've saved enough for the albums and singles,lol.


If we were normal,there would be plurals of those.....

hahaha! Your getting the deluxe of yours right?

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by rayheartbliss
um..ok

its just a bit messy when your trying to click the thread and you get put on a different thread! ^.^

Well the mods moved it around a lot, so it's their fault! :tongue:

[rayheartbliss]

:P

[Princess]

Originally posted by Markus
Originally posted by Princess
Wooo,so we just as bad as each other then! I'm getting 2 versions too. I've run off money this month for food and socialising because I've saved enough for the albums and singles,lol.


If we were normal,there would be plurals of those.....

hahaha! Your getting the deluxe of yours right?


Yep! Deluxe and normal. I just have to have both versions,lol.

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Princess
Originally posted by Markus
Originally posted by Princess
Wooo,so we just as bad as each other then! I'm getting 2 versions too. I've run off money this month for food and socialising because I've saved enough for the albums and singles,lol.


If we were normal,there would be plurals of those.....

hahaha! Your getting the deluxe of yours right?


Yep! Deluxe and normal. I just have to have both versions,lol.

Same, lol! Have you listened to the previews of the album? It's so hard ignoring themmmm :sad:

[Princess]

Yeah! I had the previews on repeat for ages but I've gone a few days without listening to them now,yayyy.

It is REALLY hard!

[MarkWaldorf]

I haven't heard any from Britneys! :sad:

[Princess]

Well done!!!! *gives gold star* I couldn't help myself.

[MarkWaldorf]

Seriously you should have waited! I want my jaw to hit the floor when I hear the whole thing on December 1st!

[Princess]

My jaw will still hit the floor :tongue: I just really wanted to know who sang what and so on. You don't have that with Britney!

[MarkWaldorf]

LOL I guess. You get it early don't you? Damn Ireland!

[Princess]

Yep! November 28th! One of the very few reasons I like this country.

I could techincally get Brit's before you.... besides the fact it's already on my Christmas list and I can't afford it anyway.

[MarkWaldorf]

:sad: Have you listened to the previews of Britneys?

[Princess]

Noooooo! That would just be mean,lol.

Btw I thought it was out on the 2nd,not the 1st?

[MarkWaldorf]

How would it? lol

2nd in the US. 1st here.

[Princess]

Because I could be like 'I've heard Britney's previews and you havn't,nananana'. I wouldn't anyway,I do like waiting for albums,I just have no self-control with TT,lol.


Oooooooooooh right! So you get it before the US? Wowsers.

[MarkWaldorf]

Ohh! I don't mind. Everyone I know has.

Yeah but just like a day.

[Princess]

Are we getting it first out of everyone? Well along with the other countries who have it out on the 28th.

[MarkWaldorf]

I don't know, but the first release date is the 28th.

[Princess]

Oooh so yes then. I think I'm going to scare the HMV people again. I did when the tour DVD came out and this is a MUCH bigger deal! I scared some men in M&S yesterday,hah.

[MarkWaldorf]

How comes? ahah

[Princess]

I was screaming just a teesny bit when I saw the posters...

[MarkWaldorf]

Like this?

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/michfan1990/PA130430.jpg

[Princess]

Feck off :tongue: My camera is broke,havn't taken a pic yet!

I g2g,talk later xxx

[MarkWaldorf]

Byeee x

[Princess]

TT to headline Royal Variety?

This year's Royal Variety Performance features a rich and varied treasure of entertainers, including Peter Kay's alter ego Geraldine (pictured), Take That and the Pussycat Dolls.

Celebrating its 80th anniversary, this year's show will return to the London Palladium on Thursday, 11 December 2008 and will be performed in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

Other stars lined up include R'n'B Umbrella diva Rihanna, Leona Lewis making her Royal debut, as will Welsh soul songstress Duffy.

Hoping to top his now legendary Singin' In The Rain will be Britain's Got Talent winner, 15-year-old George Sampson, with a brand new dance routine.

Also booked to appear are John Barrowman, US music sensation Naturally 7, pop veterans Cliff Richard and The Shadows, while US singer-songwriter Josh Groban will duet with BBC Last Choir Standing victors Only Men Aloud.

Providing the comedy will be Jimmy Carr, banter merchant Michael McIntyre, Rhod Gilbert, while Armstrong and Miller will also be performing a one-off sketch.

The Royal Variety Performance is an annual charity event in aid of the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund and will be shown on BBC One in December.

http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/drama/tv-news/news/geraldine-and-take-that-to-headline-royal-variety/4415

CiN viewing figures peaked at 11 million when the boys were on! Certainly some promo for the single,lol.

The BBC charity show peaked with 11.4 million viewers in the 15 minutes after 9.45pm, with an Eastenders west end musical and an exclusive performance by Take That.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/nov/17/tvratings-bbc-children-in-need

[Princess]

Yay from the BBC! They are headlining!

A host of celebrities and artists from the worlds of music, comedy and theatre come together for the annual highlight of the showbiz calendar, the Royal Variety Performance.



Celebrating its 80th anniversary, this year's show will be returning to the iconic London Palladium on Thursday 11 December 2008 to be performed in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.



Headlining for 2008 will be pop heart throbs Take That, cementing their place as the UK's comeback kings, with what is promised to be a sensational performance.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/11_november/17/variety.shtml


How actually can you headline The Royal Variety Performance? :conf:

[Princess]

Back cover of 'The Circus'

http://www.woolworths.co.uk/web/jsp/product/large_image.jsp?product=51833498&image=IMGBC

I loves it,although I had really high hopes for the back,dunno why!

[Scarlett.]

Take That Come To Town
Sunday, 7 December 2008, 8:00PM - 9:00PM

Jason Orange, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Gary Barlow perform some of their greatest hits, plus songs from their new album, The Circus, in a one off special for ITV1.

Take That Come to Town will be staged in the round providing a fitting backdrop to the magical show.

The grand spectacle promises to deliver a real treat for fans and viewers as well as some special surprises.

The show will be filmed as live in the lads’ home town of Manchester in front of an intimate studio audience of fans and will transmit shortly afterwards on ITV1.

The band will perform classic hits including Shine, Rule the World and Never Forget and their new single Greatest Day.

Claire Horton, Controller of ITVP Entertainment says: “The ITV entertainment department are delighted to be teaming up with Take That again and promise a night that you will never forget.”

[xDramatick]

Princess, outta curiosity, what do you think of John Barrowman's new song, 'What About Us?'.
obviously I love it 'cos JB is to me what TT is to you but seeing as Gary Barlow wrote it, I'm just curious to know what you think of it.

[Princess]

Yayyyyy,thanks for that Chewy! I loveeee the name!


Darenn-I really like it,it's a good song. It reminds me of Gary's solo stuff. Oooh and call me Laura please both of you,lol. I feel proper posh being called Princess,hah!

[Scarlett.]

Aye, its better than the rumoured "An audience with...." it makes the show feel more unique :D

[Princess]

Today's media


Review from Time Out,which has pissed me off because they're only complaining that's it not old TT,not thats it bad. I don't see why they have to be poppy(?) anymore. And all the reviews are saying 'Oh it doesn't matter what we say,their fans won't care at all what they do' which has annoyed me too

Railing against Gary, Howard, Jason, and Mark (that’s in alphabetical order – lest fans imagine some slight against their fave) is like flailing at the Matterhorn with a mitten or, perhaps more appropriately, trying to stem a tide of treacle with a tissue. Take That have all but transcended the boundaries of criticism, because their idea of what might deeply move us – or even make us want to waggle our tush – is so radically different from what actually does, that we’re left floundering for references.

If the second studio album since their 2006 Lazarus-like revival is at all interesting, it’s for quasi-sociological reasons. Take That are now an adult-pop concern – it’s hard to imagine damp-gusseted girls screaming their way through the Wings-like ‘Up All Night’ or the confused blend of Blur and Slade that is ‘Hello’, with its talk of filter coffee and house prices – and the Coldplay effect has now kicked in. It’s there in the descending chords and the piano cadences, and it blows through the chorus of ‘How Did It Come To This’, which we’d never have picked as a Take That tune. But then, we’re no experts. Those that are will no doubt clutch this record to their bosoms and sigh, dreaming of Gary, Howard, Jason or Mark. Or possibly all four. We’re (still) non-plussed.

http://www.timeout.com/london/music/review/audio/1253/take_that-the_circus.html

TT filming the video for their next single(no idea what it will be)

Guess who we spotted filming their new video on the streets of London last week? Actually, don’t bother guessing as we’ve already given away who we’re talking about in the title of this story. And the picture makes it pretty obvious too.
Anyway, as we were saying, we spotted Take That shooting their new video in a car late at night, alongside a couple of extras dressed in some rather bizarre costumes. How very curious…

http://www.mrpaparazzi.com/post/4790/Take-That-Filming-Their-New-Video.aspx

There was some press conference in Berlin(I think) today,just trying to find stuff for that.

[Princess]

Originally posted by Chewy
Aye, its better than the rumoured "An audience with...." it makes the show feel more unique :D

Yeah I thought 'Audience With' would be weird as they just did one 2 year's ago. It sounds like it's going to be amazing.

[Princess]

GD has been getting 20,000 views on YT everyday for a few days,which is amazinggggg.

[Princess]

From the Sun

X FACTOR chiefs will admit to viewers Take That are NOT performing live on Saturday’s show — to avoid a TV faking scandal.

The band, led by Gary Barlow, have had to record their performance of new single Greatest Day in advance, because they were already signed to appear on another ITV show in Manchester.


A source said: “Originally the idea was to insert the pre-recorded performance into X Factor and make it seem like it was live.


“But with all the TV fakery and voting scandals, the producers decided it’s best to come clean.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/x_factor/article1945336.ece


The fans all knew this anyways because some went to the pre-recording last Saturday. And we all know that the tv special is being filmed on the same day.

I dunno how they could have made it look real anyways,because they always show the judges and they would have been wearing different clothes or whatever.

[Princess]

Brand new website!!!!

http://www.takethat.com/

New forum as well which I don't like. Loveeeeeeeeee the website though.

[Princess]

Biography off the new website


It was, incontestably, the pop story to end all pop stories, the unlikely triumph to beat all unlikely triumphs. When Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Mark Owen released “Patience”, the first single from the second coming of Take That on November 20, 2006, it was more than a decade since the band’s famous split, and the world, it seemed, was ready for them. More than that, perhaps without knowing it until then, we needed them. The return of Take That to their rightful place at the top of the charts became the most compelling tale in British pop music, not to mention the most heart-warming.

“Patience” had a grandeur to it as well as a sweeping, heartfelt emotionality, and a classic, crowd-pleasing British pop sensibility. No wonder it became Take That’s ninth UK number one and a hit across Europe, nor that it was voted Best British Single at the 2007 BRIT Awards. “Beautiful World”, the album that followed it two weeks later, sold 2.5 million copies in Britain. And “Shine”, the feel-good second single, an infectious pop stomp featuring Mark’s distinctive lead vocal, also went straight to number one. At the 2008 Ivor Novello awards “Shine” won PRS Most Performed Song, and at the 2008 BRITs it took Best British Single. I’d Wait For Life was the third single.

Then in the October of 2007, Take That released “Rule the World” which appeared as the theme to the film Stardust. And that winter the Beautiful World Tour – Take That’s most ambitious and successful to date – played to sell out audiences across the country over 32 nights. Bring on yet another BRIT, Best British Live Act, plus the award for Tour of the Year at the Vodafone Live Music Awards, and you’ve got an unprecedented comeback and a wave of popular and critical acclaim for a band most people, including its members, thought they’d never hear from again.

“None of us saw it coming,” says Mark of Take That’s return. “I don’t think we even wanted it. It’s not like one of us was calling the others for years saying, ‘Let’s get back together’. It was never going to happen. And then it happened.”

“Our story is so far fetched,” says Gary. “It’s crazy, really. I think it’s taken a while for us all to get our heads round it, some maybe longer than others, but everyone’s enjoying it this time. And that’s what’s most important to me. That and our audience. I really don’t think any other group has got an audience like ours. It’s like we’d won before we’d even sung a note.”

No story is ever quite that simple, of course, and this one is particularly complicated. The members of the most successful British pop group of the Nineties had spent almost ten years apart, seldom seeing each other or even speaking. Each had been bruised, in different ways and to different degrees, by their time in Take That, and then by their experiences away from the boy band hothouse. While Robbie became the biggest British solo artist in history, Gary’s career started promisingly but then stalled. Mark’s was longer but less commercially successful. Howard returned to his first love, dance music, as a DJ. Jason tried acting, and travelled. It was a difficult time for everyone, but not without its compensations. Gary, Howard and Mark became fathers, and all four slowly constructed identities distinct from their ex-boy band personas.

They were first reunited in 2005 to discuss the idea of a greatest hits album. Then an ITV documentary was proposed to celebrate ten years since they split. To the others’ surprise, Robbie agreed to appear in the film, though not with the rest of the band.

The documentary was a ratings winner, attracting over seven million viewers, and as a direct result, on November 25, 2005 Gary, Mark, Howard and Jason appeared at an official press conference to announce a British tour. They sold 560,000 tickets in record time, and the tour ran from April to June 2006, taking in 32 arenas and stadiums across the UK and Ireland. Again, Robbie put in a virtual appearance, beamed at the audience as a 20-feet high pre-recorded hologram during performances of Could It Be Magic. In all, Take That have played to close to a million people since reuniting.

“I think it was inevitable that after that we’d make an album,” says Mark, and on May 9, 2006, bowing to that inevitability, Take That signed a £3 million deal with Polydor, and hired manager Jonathan Wild to look after their affairs.

That summer, they travelled to Los Angeles and co-wrote and recorded Beautiful World with the experienced American producer John Shanks, opening a new chapter in a book we’d all thought was closed.

Following the phenomenal success of Beautiful World the band regrouped in April 2008 at SARM Studios in Notting Hill, west London, and began work on a new album, just the four of them in a room. By the summer, when producer John Shanks arrived to start recording, they’d already written 25 new songs.

“There was a real energy when just the four of us were in the studio putting those demos together,” says Mark. “And recording the album was all about trying to capture that. It’s not over-polished. It sounds great but it feels real. I feel we’ve kept that original spirit. It feels very British to me. It feels like a British album.”

Any pressure to repeat the success of Beautiful World was internal rather than external. “We’ve proved how good we are time and again, how successful we are at getting in the pop charts,” says Jason. “What matters now is whether we like it. We want it to represent us, who we are and where we’re at. We want it to be authentic.”

“When everyone came back to the studio in April it was like a new band,” says Gary. “Everyone really wanted to be there. Everyone was feeling good in their own skin again. It felt very natural to be doing another record.”

“I’ve had such a good time this time,” says Howard. “I’ve felt much more involved. It just felt so easy and relaxed. I think it comes across in the album. The second album is supposed to be the difficult one, but this was anything but.”

Howard senses a change in the band’s outlook this time. “It was a little bit uncomfortable, coming back in 2006,” he says. “You were always asking yourself if you were doing the right thing. Will we look stupid? Will people think we’re too old? What are people going to say? I still care about that stuff. I want people to like what we’re doing. But I’m more proud of being Howard out of Take That now than I ever was before. I think we all appreciate things more now than we did.”

“What’s always interested me is the dynamic in the band,” adds Jason. “And it still interests me: these four lads, it’s like a relationship: we keep moving, keep finding out things about each other. But it’s fun, it feels good, working together, being in a gang, being creative. We laugh all the time. Even with all the tensions and the tiredness… it feels right. It makes sense.”

So Take That came back. And now they’re back again. And guess what? They’ve topped “Patience”, and they’ve beaten “Beautiful World”, and no one need wonder any longer whether they’re back for good, or just back for now. Because right now it doesn’t matter.

“For the first time ever really, I feel like I’m in a real band,” says Mark. “I’m really proud of this record. It feels like a proper album. I think it’s better than Beautiful World. I think it’s a record for record buyers. I think Take That fans will love it and I think – I hope – people who just like music will like it too.”

The songs on The Circus are both vintage Take That and a bold step into the future. They’re widescreen, stadium-sized anthems and they’re intimate, heartfelt ballads, they’re lyrically challenging and musically diverse, theatrical and rooted, appealingly naïve and strikingly mature, simple in design but epic in execution.

“I’m grateful every morning to be in this position,” says Gary. “I know what it’s like not to work. I love being involved in music. I really need it. When you’re not allowed to do it, it’s really tough. Now I’m just trying to get the most out of every day. I feel better about it than I ever have because everyone else feels better about it. I’m in my element, big time. And I think we all are.”

Democratic, defiant and dramatic, The Circus is the sound of four men fully in control of their own destinies, perhaps for the first time in their working lives. Like the song says: learn to listen.

[Princess]

From the Sun,nice things about the album!

TAKE THAT are a clean-cut manband from Manchester. Amy Winehouse is a drug-addled caner from Camden.
But, despite the gaping crack between them, How Did It Come To This, on Take That’s forthcoming album The Circus, is inspired by troubled Amy’s life.

JASON ORANGE — who was once the band’s chief hellraiser before hanging up his party hat — was behind the track about “a girl in Camden Town” living her life under the spotlight.

The lady in question is described as “slightly schizophrenic” and “slightly OCD” and living “a world away.”

Remind you of anyone?

Jason sings: “All this noise and all these lights/All this talking through the night. All this expectation now it’s making me neurotic/ Tell me have I seen your face before? How did it come to this?/ How did it ever come to this?”

The track later pleads with the caned Camden character: “Have you turned on your TV?/ Have you seen reality?”

Winehouse is probably the most unpleasant person to feature in a song from these pop kings. But fans looking forward to the new Take That CD brightening up winter should not fear.

The Circus — out December 1 — is the most uplifting, orchestral epic material they have produced.

The band shared responsibility and vocals around more than ever, with MARK OWEN in particular taking more lead duties.

And Mark revealed: “There was a real camaraderie and equal flow of ideas.”

He takes the lead on track Hello — where the credit crunch gets a mention. Mark sings: “Looks like the cost of houses are falling but I don’t notice.”


Advertisement

And he revealed: “It’s a fun optimistic song that definitely shows a different side to us.”

HOWARD DONALD sings lead on What Is Love and Here — co-written with London indie folk duo TURIN BRAKES.

Meanwhile band chief GARY BARLOW is pleased the album’s first single — Greatest Day, out Monday — makes choosing the setlist for their gigs easier.


He said: “We’ve got so many songs to choose from to close live shows, but we always struggled for one to open with.

“Greatest Day is that song.”

The lads last month broke the record for the fastest-selling UK tour — selling 600,000 tickets in five hours for their 2009 stadium dates. They’ve had a lot of Greatest Days lately.

Unlike Winehouse...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article1949711.ece

[Daniel__]

To be honest I dont usually like Take That but I think there new song is pretty good so might have to download it from itunes lol

[Princess]

Out to download on Sunday Daniel :thumbs:


Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

One week till 'The Circus'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

X Factor tomorrow!!!!!

[Princess]

BRILLIANT article!!!!

TAKE THAT - The Circus
****

IT’S the evening of Children In Need and I’m in the middle of a cluster of people hanging outside a certain dressing room at BBC Studios. I’ve already suffered an elbow jab in the ribs as the crowd — mainly female — jostle to get a glimpse of the biggest pop band in the country.

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald are to present Children In Need with a cheque for (their fee from their Marks & Spencer advert) and perform new single Greatest Day. But first there are photograph requests, autograph pleas and star-struck gawping to deal with.

When a BBC employee arrives with more champagne for next door’s dressing room, he is nearly rugby-tackled to the floor by the band’s bodyguard James. Take That are big business — even bigger than before. Their 2009 stadium tour is the fastest-selling UK tour of all time, shifting £35million of tickets in one day.

After a stern eye and some quizzing by the bodyguard, SFTW is allowed in to meet the nation’s most famous boyband — now a middle-aged manband — who are in their finest form physically and musically.

“What the hell is going on next door?” asks an ever-smiling Mark as shrieks from Girls Aloud’s dressing room boom through the walls. “They’re polishing off champagne while we’re sat here drinking coffee and water,” says Howard shaking his head. “Something is wrong.” “It’s like when I went to see the Spice Girls in Manchester,” says Jason. “They all had separate dressing rooms — one each!” Gary says: “Well, guys, that sounds like the way forward to me. Separate dressing rooms and no talking to each other until stage time. What do you think?” Of course, Gary, 37, is joking. Relations in the Take That camp are at an all-time high.

Dazzler

Making fifth album, The Circus, their second since their comeback, has been a labour of love. Gary says: “It was a bit like a running race last time. We were trying to keep up with it all, as well as dealing with being back as a band. This time it was easier. “We just loved every minute of it and had fun together. There are no rows in Take That. I don’t even know if we could ever insult each other.”

If Beautiful World saw Gary relinquish the chief songwriter reins, then The Circus establishes Take That as a “real band” even more. All four members are involved with the music and singing leads on the album. Gary and Mark, 36, who has come into his own as a songwriter, share equal leads.

Howard, 40, is the main singer on What Is Love and the folky Here while 38-year-old Jason takes the lead on the all-out pop dazzler How Did It Come To This. Howard says: “Deciding who sings which lead or parts is a bit like Big Brother. You have to take another member of the band into the corner and talk to them, going against another member. It’s all about ganging up.” Mark adds: “Howard said he didn’t want any leads this time round. He said, ‘I don’t want any lead vocals, any of the singles,’ though he sounds great on What Is Love and Here.” Howard laughs: “I honestly didn’t, Otherwise, I would have been singing all the ones Mark sings! “I try to get more involved in the harmonies than anything else. I love the melodic side of our songs. Even when it comes to the lyrics, I take a back seat. “I sometimes get frustrated with writing lyrics, especially as these guys find it so easy. I have to take some time out to go and play the drums until I calm down.”

The Circus is Take That’s most credible record to date. There are big show songs such as Hello, plus lush ballads including Said It All and soaring anthemic choruses like their new single Greatest Day.

Gary says: “The album was called The Circus because the title visually connected the tour, the stadium sound and the big arms in the air. We’re planning something extra-special. “It made sense to call the album The Circus even though it’s really the antithesis of the actual song. The song is downbeat and about a best man at a wedding I went to about three years ago. “He had just split up with his partner and got drunk. “When he got up to make his speech he basically talked about himself for five minutes and how he’d ruined his life. Everyone was dying.”

It’s the four different personalities in Take That which make it work so well, keep them grounded and make them all such likeable individuals. There are new babies on the way for Mark and Gary in a week and seven weeks respectively. Both are excited but, although they know whether they are having a boy or a girl, they will not let on. Gary says: “I had to know because what if I decorated the nursery the wrong colour. I’m not bloody doing it again.”

Jason and Howard both admit to being worriers still, while Gary and Mark seem to take the lead, pushing things as much as possible. Jason says: “I still worry if we’re good enough — that we’re not working together well enough and about our own group dynamics. “I worry if the material is good enough and I’ll even worry about not having anything to worry about. I struggle sometimes to be free, to enjoy it and ride with it. “I just think it’s fundamental to us being here that we work hard, know we’re doing a good job — but it’s not like we don’t deserve all this. “We’re not as special as some people might believe. “We are just genuine really. I know we have all these people around us, this circus, but take them away and you’ll see.” Mark laughs: “Jay is our quality control man. There’s always a ‘but’.”

Howard says: “I’d say Gary’s really the only one that’s always 100 per cent. Like when the tickets for the tour went on sale, I wasn’t really that positive that they were going to sell out. “I always wonder when the bubble is going to burst. But Gaz just believes in us. He knows.”

So when there are tensions, what happens? Jason says: “Two of us go quiet, another paces up and down. But Gaz, he’s very sort of determined and more forthright. Sometimes I think he’s racing ahead as much as I’m sure he thinks I’m slowing things down. Then we all agree.” Gary says: “I think the reason we get the results we do is because these days we study every detail of each song. “Sometimes that means 33 takes of a vocal but it works. It’s completely new to us and we were never like that before. Then, we used to amble on stage not even knowing what we were singing!

“I don’t mean this in an arrogant way at all — but I think we’re in a league of our own now. “Before our comeback, when we were around the first time, I’d always say another band could come along and be better than us and replace us at any time. And maybe they did. “But I don’t think they can now. This is years of history and so we treat it with respect. There’s no rush any more.”

All four have suffered a roller- coaster ride in fortunes since Take That called it a day at a press conference in February 1996. While helplines were set up for suicidal fans, the doubters mocked that the four couldn’t really cut it without Robbie Williams, who had quit a year earlier. Gary went on to enjoy solo success with his album Open Road in 1997 but was dropped after its follow up Twelve Months, Eleven Days was less successful. He went on to write for Atomic Kitten, Blue and Delta Goodrem. Mark had limited solo success and won Celebrity Big Brother in 2002, while Howard failed to land a solo record deal but carved a career as a successful DJ, which he still does when he has the time.

Glory

Only Jason quit music properly, winning small acting roles as well as going back to college to study psychology and sociology. He also travelled the world for two years.

Mark says: “It has made us appreciate all this for sure. We still can’t believe it, if we’re honest. We had gone to the other side and seen the downside of it all. So now we bring that experience into it. “I think we really value this, and we’re really grateful to be here. We do look at each other and say, ‘Oh God, what’s happening? Can you believe this?’ ” Jason says: “We thought that would be it in the Nineties, and we’ve come back to all this glory.”

Gary says: “I think the reason we are still here and talking to you today about our new album is that our music is good. Simple as that. If it were even just a bit c**p, then we never would have had this second chance.” Since their comeback in 2006, after a decade away, they have surpassed the achievements of the old Take That. Sales have gone through the roof and they have picked up Brit Awards for Best British Single for Patience and this year for Best Live Act, as well as an Ivor Novello award for most performed work for Shine.

So they have proved that it works as a four, yet the question of Robbie’s return, who the band — including Gary — are all on good terms with, keeps cropping up. Gary says: “It’s funny as I’ve noticed people are less obsessed with that now. It still crops up but not as much, which is good. We love Robbie but people see us as a four-piece now. “We’ve proved ourselves as this band here today.”

So how long can it last? Howard says: “Who knows? We’re just enjoying the moment. Mark adds: “I guess it depends how long we hold up for really, especially our knees.” Gary laughs: “Nah, lads. Forget the knees. We won’t be stopping when they go. That’s when we simply start using stools on stage instead.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/sftw/article1954224.ece

My favourite bits are

Gary laughs: “Nah, lads. Forget the knees. We won’t be stopping when they go. That’s when we simply start using stools on stage instead.”

We love Robbie but people see us as a four-piece now.

Mark laughs: “Jay is our quality control man. There’s always a ‘but’.”


“It’s like when I went to see the Spice Girls in Manchester,” says Jason. “They all had separate dressing rooms — one each!” Gary says: “Well, guys, that sounds like the way forward to me. Separate dressing rooms and no talking to each other until stage time. What do you think?” Of course, Gary, 37, is joking. Relations in the Take That camp are at an all-time high.


:bigsmile:

[Princess]

Oh dear lord,I swear I nearly had a heart attack just now. I logged into my email to check them before I go to bed and I noticed I had an e-mail about a 'ticket update' from Seetickets which is where I got 4 of my dates. Nearly everyone whose been getting Seetickets e-mails recently have been having tickets cancelled(not many) because of some wrong detail entered and I really really thought my tickets were going to be cancelled! Just a dispatchment update,thankfully.

[Princess]

A new tour date has just been announced for the 9th of June in Rioch Arena in Coventry!

Announced by gary on Heart FM and Mark on Mercia FM.

[Princess]

Yay I just got 'Greatest Day'!!!!!!!


edit:The b-side is amazing!!!!

[Princess]

I miss Mark!!! I'm just talking to myself in here :sad:


Another review(good one!)

BBC Pop and Chart Review


Staging a comeback far bigger than any of us could have imagined, it's now time for Take That – The Man Band to release their 2nd album since returning to their adoring fanbase looking slightly crinkly. Circus, coincidentally released on the same day as Britney's album of the same name, is it, and we're pleased to report it's pretty damn amazing.

Modern day Take That are like the drama faces of Melpomene and Thalia. Gary Barlow, the graceful swan of the group, is cementing his position as the country's premier pop writer by dripping tragedy over soaring, epic ballads. Melancholy lament What Is Love has Howard shining on lead vocals, questioning 'the science of fate' while title track The Circus says it best with "I'm the only clown you’ll ever know. I love you was too many words to say". The brilliant Rule The World might be hard to top but opening track The Garden and the perky Hold Up The Light have that same magical feel. With songs like this, we're left curious why they went with the relatively lacklustre Greatest Day as lead single.

Then there's Mark Owen, representing comedy, still happily bouncing about like Clementine was as big a hit as it should have been and creating adorable upbeat pop songs Paul McCartney would be proud to sing. If Morrisons have ruined Shine for you, then the cheeky Hello will happily take its place in your heart. Julie puts Mark in story telling mode and almost feels like a sequel to Babe, but the real highlight is the utterly catchy Up All Night complete with a proper oom pah pah band and skip down the street chorus – we can just imagine the video with Take That clad in drummer outfits with big shiny silver buttons.

A stunning album, Take That are the vintage champagne of pop fizzing with playful bubbles and happily maturing with age.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/8qp2/


I've read that there's a really good review in Attitude as well,which I suppose I'll have to buy since I bought it when Luke was in it,I have to buy it when my boys are in it!

[Callum]

Here is the link for Greatest Day on iTunes, it was added at midnight:
Click here (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=296144263&id=296144262&s=143444)

[Princess]

Woot thanks Callum!

Just need to change the title now!

[Callum]

You can also purchase Sleepwalking. :thumbs:

[Princess]

I love Sleepwalking! I got the single on Friday when it came out here and it's on repeat since!

I'm buying like 6-8 copies on Monday as 'presents'.

[Princess]

X Factor Montage

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kY9MH7NNgqE

Performance

http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=qibWfniunZg&feature=email

[Callum]

I'm thinking of buying it actually, it's quite a good song.

[Princess]

DO!!!!!!

:hugesmile:

[Princess]

Ad wise the guys are now in:

ITV general
ITV special
4Music
Morrisons
Album ad
M&S ad

:hugesmile:

[Callum]

OMFG! Greatest Day is at #8 on iTunes already, this is insane!!

[Princess]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!


I just starting jumping up and down in the hallway,my parents just rolled their eyes :laugh:

That's amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Callum]

It's certain now they'll be number one next Sunday.

[Princess]

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

Eeeeeeeee so happy.:spin2:

[BigSister]

Illprob get it during the week sometime

[Princess]

Do Becca! The b-side on the single is really good.

I'm getting 5 copies tomorrow(I was gonna get 8 until I found how much they were)

[Callum]

Greatest Day up to 2!

[Princess]

YES!!!!!! That's amazing!!!! Ain't even been a day yet!!!!

Whats 1?

[Callum]

The Killers - Human but won't be for much longer.

[Princess]

Woooooooooo.

Thanks Callum!

I really hope it gets Number 1 next week. Still got physical out tomorrow!

[Princess]

From the TT forum,the songs on iTunes besides GD

RTW - Rule The World - 23 & 109
Never Forget - 39
Patience - 50 & 113
Shine - 83

Wooooo. GD also number 1 on airplay chart!!!!

[Princess]

Does anyone want to be bribed online to go download/buy Greatest Day? I dunno how it'll work though,lol.

[Princess]

Greatest Day now Number 1 on iTunes :cheer:

[Princess]

Cute article

The impending pitter-patter of tiny feet has got Take That's Mark Owen fretting.

The star, 36, was filming the band's Christmas special, Take That Come To Town, in Manchester, but scooted back to girlfriend Emma in London while his bandmates went out and got battered.

He told us: "I get nervous being away from her. I don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere when she goes into labour - I want to be at her side."

Top points from us.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/3am/2008/11/24/take-that-s-mark-owen-a-model-dad-as-he-expects-baby-115875-20919861/

[BigSister]

aww that is cute

[Princess]

I had the most obsessive lunchtime today.

First my friend(who is going to Dublin but barely likes the boys,lol) and I went to M&S menswear and had a look around there for a while,scaring more random men,lol!

Then we went to HMV and I bought 5 copies of Greatest Day. Embarassment! I gave them to the guy and he stands faning(sp) them out and I just went 'there's 5' and he goes 'You a bit of of a Take That fan then?'. And I said 'Yeah,just a bit', followed really lamely by 'They're presents'.Haha! He was giving me such weird looks! My receipt is well funny.

Then off to the newsagent to buy a gay magazine which the boys were on ONE page,cost me €5.59,had to borrow the 59c of my friend,lol.

Good times! I'm glad I'm getting the album(s) in a different HMV.

[Princess]

OMG someone just said on the forum that Beautiful World is at Number 11 in the iTunes album chart!

[pinkmichk]

competition to go to circus launch party posted on facebook update
To celebrate the release of Take That's brand new album, the guys are holding a very exclusive launch party in one of the world's most glamorous cities Paris, and guess what – you and a friend could be there!

This is a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the chance to get up close & personal with the band at their very own party, which is taking place at a super-swish venue in the heart of trés-chic Paris! You and your friend will be part of a very select group and will come away with some fantastic memories.

All you need to do to enter this money-can't-buy-competition is to create a video to describe what the Greatest Day of your Life would be. What would happen in the day to make it the Greatest Day of your Life? It can be anything from climbing Mount Everest, to flying a plane, to simply having a lie in!

Your clip can include video, pictures, text, images or audio - be as creative as you like!

Create your video and upload it here - http://uk.youtube.com/user/takeTHAT

For more details and terms and conditions click here and to enter visit - http://uk.youtube.com/user/takeTHAT

All entries must be submitted by midnight tonight – 25th November- so get entering quickly!

[BigSister]

haha Laura I think i would go to a different HMV as well or go on the day he isnt in

[Princess]

Mark's baby has been born! Congratulations to Mark,Emma and Elwood!

Mark, Emma and Elwood are delighted to announce the first appearance to the world of the beautiful Willow Rose Owen, weighing 7.8lb. Emma delivered Willow via C-Section this morning, Tuesday 25th November at 10am.

Mother and Daughter are very well and everyone is incredibly pleased to welcome Willow to the family.

From MarkOwenOfficial

[Princess]

Looks like a good week for Markie,new baby and what looks to be an 11th number 1!

Take That are on course to notch up their eleventh number one on Sunday. 'Greatest Day' is currently outselling its nearest rival, 'Beyoncé's 'If I Were A Boy', by a very comfortable margin.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a136664/good-news-for-take-that-bad-news-for-madonna.html

The b-side 'Sleepwalking' is also in the midweek Top 100.

[Callum]

Singles

01 Take That 24,666
02 Beyonce 11,2k
03 The Killers 10,4k
04 T.I. feat. Rihanna 10,2k
05 Katy Perry 9,5k

Top 10
08 Britney
Akon
Same Difference

Top 15
PCD

Top 20
17 McFly (top 10 when combined)

Top 30
N-Dubz
Take That - RTW
George Sampson

Top 40
Rihanna - Rehab
Madonna
Mariah Carey - AIWFCIY

Top 50
Take That - Never Forget
Take That - Patience
The Pogues

[Princess]

OMFG!!!!!!AMAZING!!!!!!!


YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!

Thank you!!!!!!!

Number 1,RTW back in and 2 Top 50! Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!

[Princess]

*shouts*

Has everyone got Heat? Did they review the single and was it the first one? Pleaseeee.

[BigSister]

awwwww congrats Mark and Emma

[Princess]

Take That singer Mark Owen has become a father for the second time after his partner gave birth to a girl.

Willow Rose Owen was born on Tuesday morning at a hospital in London. Owen, 36, and partner Emma Ferguson already have a young son called Elwood.

A spokesman for the band said: "Mark, Emma and Elwood are thrilled. Mum and daughter are very healthy and happy."

Take That are expected to top the UK singles chart on Sunday with their latest single, Greatest Day.

The band's album second album since they reformed, The Circus, will be released on Monday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/7748788.stm


I wonder if he'll be at the album launch^^^,doubtful.

[Princess]

From Music Week

On the singles chart Take That’s Greatest day looks certain to top the chart on Sunday, after selling 24,666 units on day of release, ahead of current chart topper, Beyoncé’s If I were A Boy.

I didn't know it was ONE day of sales!!!! I thought it was up until today!

[Princess]

Loads of news about Willow being born this morning. They're all basically the same

Mark Owen becomes dad for second time
Big congratulations to little Mark Owen who became a dad again yesterday for the second time! *claps hands loudly*. Mark's partner Emma Ferguson gave birth to a baby girl Willow Rose by cesearean section at 10am yesterday, and both mum and daughter are doing well. Looks like Mark's got the perfect little family now, with Willow joining her little brother Elwood Jack, who's two. "Mark, Emma amd Elwood are thrilled," said a spokesperson yesterday. We bet they are! Oh, and Mark's in for a good week all round – Greatest Day is heading for Number One this weekend.

http://www.heatworld.com/Article/8131/Gordon+Ramsay/The+9+0Clock+News+%e2%80%93+Wed+26+Nov

Christmas comes early for Take That's Mark Owen after girlfriend gives birth to second childBy Daily Mail Reporter

Take That singer Mark Owen is celebrating after his girlfriend gave birth to their second child.
The 36-year-old pop star's long-term partner Emma Ferguson delivered a baby girl in a London hospital on Tuesday morning.
The couple have named the 7lb 8oz tot Willow Rose Owen.

They also have a two-year-old son Elwood Jack.
A spokesman for the band confirmed: 'Mark, Emma and Elwood are thrilled.
'Mum and daughter are very healthy and happy.'

Take That are currently continuing their successful comeback by starring in a high-profile Marks & Spencer Christmas campaign and are releasing their fifth studio album The Circus next week.
Their new single Greatest Day, which was released on Monday, has been tipped to knock Beyonce Knowles off the number one spot on Sunday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1089346/Christmas-comes-early-Take-Thats-Mark-Owen-girlfriend-gives-birth-second-child.html

Greatest Day looks certain to be Number 1 on Sunday :cheer:

[Princess]

I knew there was news I forgot!

Coventry tickets went on sale today for the 9th,they added the 8th and 10th after about 20 minutes :laugh: Still tickets available I think but not sure for which dates.

[Princess]

2 random things

My dad just told me he's heard 'Julie' and it's amazing. Fan's who've heard it have said even better! So excited-2 days to go!

I have a theory about Elwood and Willow's middle names-Jack and Rose. I think Mark and Emma like Titanic.

[Jen]

Originally posted by Princess
2 random things

My dad just told me he's heard 'Julie' and it's amazing. Fan's who've heard it have said even better! So excited-2 days to go!

I have a theory about Elwood and Willow's middle names-Jack and Rose. I think Mark and Emma like Titanic.

Or Neil Diamond....
LOL

[Princess]

Oooh he have songs like that or something? I know nowt about Neil Diamond(sorry Jen :tongue:)

[Callum]

Greatest Day is at #2 on the Irish iTunes chart, just behind Leona Lewis with her cover of Run.

[Princess]

Oooooooh thanks Callum!!!!

Still 1 on the UK iTunes?

You couldn't do me a screencap could you? *pouts*

[BigSister]

I saw it in hmv today and thought of you

[Princess]

Aww thanks Becca!

I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited about the album and I've found a solution to listening to it the minute I get it :cheer:

[Princess]

Just got an e-mail for seetickets

TAKE THAT
Following phenomenal demand for their forthcoming UK tour the massive boy-band have announced some extra dates for Coventry's Ricoh Arena. Last few remaining, buy tickets now!
http://www.seetickets.com/?e=take+that

[pinkmichk]

take that on radio 2 from facebook update
Be sure to tune in to Radio 2 on Monday 1st December as Take That will be giving a very exclusive performance.

The band will be live on the Ken Bruce show, which is on from 9.30am - 12pm.

They will be performing six tracks - it's set to be a very special event, so don't miss it! If you can't tune in on Monday morning, you'll be able to listen to the show afterwards at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2.

[Princess]

Thanks for that! :flowers:

I have to go get more injections and my uniform that day :sad: Off for the rest of the week though so shouldn't be complaining.

ALBUM TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Princess]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sooooooooooooooo excited :cheer2:

This time 4 hours and a bit I'll have the album!!!!!!!!! I'm lugging in a portable DVD player to listen to it cos I'm not finished till 4 and no-one has Discmans anymore!

Eeeeeeeeeeeee

[Tom4784]

They're bringing it out on a Friday? That's quite unusual ain't it?

[Princess]

It's released in the UK in Monday,Friday here and a few other countries in Europe.

It's unbelieveably incredible. Just incredible. On my 2nd listen now(listening between lectures!)

[Tom4784]

Oh Yeah release days are different in Ireland aren't they? *facepalms self repeatedly* Well I;m glad your enjoying it. I'm in such a Take That mood, I'm listening to Rule the World loads!

[Princess]

I'm going to try and write a review but all I can come with right now is 'Wow wow wow wow wow,omg incredible' and so forward.

[Princess]

The Circus is Number 1 in the Tesco chart :cheer: Well my one anyways!

[MarkWaldorf]

I was in a shop this morning and they were playing the album. They played a song called Julie I think? lol

[Princess]

Yeah! That's number 5 on the album. One person on the forum says they were playing the whole thing in HMV.

[MarkWaldorf]

Oh, I was in a newsagents.

[Princess]

Oooooh! So they didn't have a purpose to playing it!

I'm actually in love with this album,on my 7th listen. I think Hold Up A Light is my fav. Although I love The Garden and Said It All

And the rest of them :P

[MarkWaldorf]

Oh, I'm obsessed with GD now. :hugesmile:

[Princess]

YAYYYYY!!!!!!

Some songs on the album are soooooooo much better than GD though.

[MarkWaldorf]

I listened to them when they were on Play.com but that was when I didn't like GD so.....I shall give a listen soon.

7 plays! :shocked: lol

[Princess]

Haha yeah! Ain't I good :tongue:

Most of the songs are on YT apprentley.

[MarkWaldorf]

:tongue:

Ohh, I'll listen later then. I'm gonna go and do something other than stare at my computer screen now :P Speak soon x

I love love love the bit in GD where it gets really uptempo towards the end, always reminds me of the 4Music ad where Leona jumps about :laugh: and when Brit shake her things.

[Princess]

I was just about to say I had go as well,lol.

Yeah same!!!! Obviously for different reasons :P

xx

[Princess]

Competetion

IF you are making a journey from or to St Pancras in London on Monday morning, you might want to change your route.
TAKE THAT mania will be causing carnage at the Eurostar terminal because the manband — GARY BARLOW, MARK OWEN, HOWARD DONALD and JASON ORANGE — are offering fans the trip of a lifetime.

Four lucky people will join the lads on the train to Paris for the launch of new album The Circus.

They will then have the chance to dance the night away with the band — and, er, me — at an exclusive bash.

The lads will sing a handful of hits at a secret location decked out with a circus theme.

If you want to be in with a chance of winning the tickets, you need to be at St Pancras station between 11am and 12pm on Monday.

Two pairs will be picked at random.

For more details see takethat.com.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article1986696.ece

There's so many album reviews I don't know where to start!

[MarkWaldorf]

UH OH :shocked:

[Princess]

WHAT????

Whats Uh-Oh???

[MarkWaldorf]

Jason Orange did something bad.

[Princess]

Oh the album thing? About worrying?

[MarkWaldorf]

http://breatheheavy.com/exhale/viewthread.php?tid=88360

[BigSister]

still havent got greatest day must get it on monday

[Princess]

Oh come on Mark,he was kidding! :laugh:

[Princess]

Originally posted by BigSister
still havent got greatest day must get it on monday

Do Becca! You going to get the album? It's incredible.

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Princess
Oh come on Mark,he was kidding! :laugh:

I know, haha. But some of them don't.

[Princess]

Well they're just being silly. Jay ain't got a bad bone in his body.

[BigSister]

erm might get it after Christmas gonna tighten my money a littlein case i lose my job

[Princess]

Originally posted by BigSister
erm might get it after Christmas going to tighten my money a littlein case i lose my job


Awwwww Becca :hug: I hope everything is ok.

[BigSister]

Yeah just dont wajja be extragant at the moment
Gonna get money off my grandma plus other people so ill prob get it with that
We arent getting it in at work as well well def not this week anyway

[Princess]

Originally posted by BigSister
Yeah just dont wajja be extragant at the moment
going to get money off my grandma plus other people so ill prob get it with that
We arent getting it in at work as well well def not this week anyway

*hugs again* I don't know what else to do,lol. Stupid Woolworths.

[BigSister]

I so wanted to sell it as well *sulks*

[Princess]

There was an article about the Woolworths thing in the Guardian

The collapse of Woolworths almost left fans of Take That without their fifth and latest album. The Circus goes on sale worldwide on Monday and is the year's biggest release for Universal Music, the world's largest group in the music business.

In Britain, where the band began in 1990 and reformed without Robbie Williams with great success in 2007 considerably more than A Million Love Songs would have gone unheard without panicked phone calls this week. A lorry carrying 200,000 copies of The Circus is understood to have left Universal's UK depot in Milton Keynes for Woolworths' distribution network on Wednesday afternoon, just as the retailer collapsed into administration.

Woolworth's Entertainment UK (EUK) supplies DVDs and CDs not only to its more than 800 high street stores, but to Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons and Zavvi, formerly Virgin Megastores.

Universal executives quickly realised that if the lorry reached its destination, the DVDs would be snared in the administrative process, leaving a gaping hole on the shelves on Monday.

After increasingly panicked phone calls, the lorry driver was halted only miles before his destination and told to return. Universal is understood to have arranged alternative distribution.

[Princess]

OMFG they're gonna be here next weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!! On some crappy Irish show-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I wonder if I can get tickets. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[Princess]

It's been a year since I went to my first TT concert :sad:

[MarkWaldorf]

Aww! Britney tickets Thursday!!

[Princess]

Ooooh good luck! *crosses fingers*

You gonna queue or try online?

[MarkWaldorf]

Online, lol. My friend is with 02 so got me a priority code. I can get them Thursday, a day before general release. I really hope I get some!:sad:

And thanks!

[Princess]

Ooooh that's good! What date you wanna go?

[MarkWaldorf]

Probably 4th? It's closer to weekend so I'll be allowed out later in London.

[Princess]

Wow my computer just majorily froze there. Had to reboot it.

Oooh so our dates will be a month apart! Although it would have been like that either way,lol. What day is the 4th?

[Princess]

Title change :bigsmile:

[MarkWaldorf]

How much did they sell?

[Jen]

Jasons voice makes me all... :DD