Take That almost got called something very different - but stuck with 'cr*p' name

It's been nearly thirty years of Take That , but it all could have been very different.

While many of us have grown up with Gary, Mark, Robbie, Howard and Jason as Take That, the lads have revealed their name has been the source of much embarrassment for them.

In fact, Gary Barlow even described it as "crap".

The name doesn't seem to have done their astronomical success any harm, but ahead of their thirtieth anniversary next year, the group have been pretty honest about their feelings toward it.

Take That first erupted onto the music scene in 1990 and featured Mark Owen, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow (Getty)

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Talking to The Sun , Mark Owen admitted , "There have been times when we've been a bit embarrassed about our name," Mark Owen told.

"We used to apologise when we introduced ourselves saying 'We're Take That' and thought we should be called something different."

Backing him up, Gary added, "It's a little bit like the Pet Shop Boys – as a name you think it's stupid.

"When you say the name Take That you do tend to think of us in a stadium or something, but it is a crap name."

Take That in their 1993 heyday (Getty)

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So what else was on the table, name-wise?

Apparently other strong contenders were "The Cutest Rush" (bleurgh) and "Kick It" (eh?).

Both of which we're sure fans are glad they didn't go for.

Now a threesome, Gary, Howard and Mark were in Sheffield last week to kick off their Greatest Hits tour.