Take That – This Life On Tour

Four number ones from a single album; Barlow was already being mentioned in the same breath as Lennon and McCartney.

"Pray" went straight to number one, followed by "Relight My Fire" (featuring Lulu) and "Babe". The second album, Everything Changes, produced four number one singles. Take That won Best British Single at the 1994 BRIT Awards for "Pray". Gary Barlow was now recognised as one of the finest pop songwriters of his generation, drawing comparisons with Lennon and McCartney.

Even as Robbie walked out, the remaining four scored a number one in 31 countries; the Samaritans still had to open a helpline when it all collapsed.

Robbie Williams left the group in July 1995 amid well-documented tensions. The remaining four pressed on, releasing Nobody Else, which topped the album chart and spawned the iconic "Back for Good", a worldwide hit that reached number one in 31 countries. But the writing was on the wall. In February 1996, Take That announced their split. The Samaritans reportedly set up a dedicated helpline for distraught fans.

275,000 tickets sold in a single day; nostalgia had nothing to do with it.

An ITV documentary, Take That: For the Record, brought Gary, Mark, Howard, and Jason back together on screen. The chemistry was undeniable. They announced a reunion tour, the Ultimate Tour, which sold out in record time. Over 275,000 tickets went in a single day. The four-piece proved that nostalgia was only part of the story; they were genuinely, thrillingly good.

Four weeks at number one for "Patience"; 2.8 million UK sales. The critics went rather quiet after that.

The comeback album, Beautiful World, debuted at number one and became the fastest-selling album of 2006 in the UK. "Patience", its lead single, spent four weeks at the top of the charts. Critics who had dismissed the reunion were silenced. The album eventually sold over 2.8 million copies in the UK alone, making it one of the best-selling albums of the 2000s.

235,000 copies sold on day one; a reunion that didn't just break records, it broke the century.

Robbie Williams rejoined Take That for the album Progress, which sold 235,000 copies on its first day, making it the fastest-selling album of the 21st century in the UK at the time. The subsequent Progress Live tour played to 1.7 million fans across Europe, including eight nights at Wembley Stadium. The stage design, by Es Devlin, featured a giant mechanical man and was widely regarded as one of the most spectacular touring productions ever mounted.

Three became a sharper instrument; the arena tour proved nothing essential had been lost.

Jason Orange quietly left the group in 2014, citing a desire to step out of the spotlight. Gary, Mark, and Howard continued as a three-piece, releasing III and embarking on a successful arena tour. The reduced line-up, if anything, sharpened the focus. Barlow's songwriting remained the backbone, and the live shows lost none of their ambition.

Forty-five million records sold and Robbie back on stage; thirty years well spent.

The Odyssey greatest hits compilation marked 30 years since the band's formation. The accompanying tour filled stadiums and arenas across the UK, with Robbie Williams joining them on stage at selected dates. It was a victory lap that felt earned rather than indulgent. Over three decades, Take That had sold over 45 million records and won eight BRIT Awards.

Three decades of catalogue, one generation of new fans; Take That's live pull has never looked stronger.

The This Life tour, supporting their 2023 album of the same name, saw Gary, Mark, and Howard play to packed arenas across the UK and Europe. The production was typically lavish, blending new material with the catalogue that spans three decades. With a new generation discovering their music alongside the original fans, Take That remain one of the most reliable live draws in British pop.