They are celebrating 30 years together and now Take That have revealed they plan to follow in the footsteps of Elton John – by touring into old age.
The lads – Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen – took to the stage tonight (Friday) at Sheffield’s FlyDSA Arena with a spectacular high- octane show complete with pyrotechnics and full band.
But before the madness kicked off, I spoke to the trio backstage.
Gary, 48, tells me: “The old-school ones, the Rods [Rod Stewart] and the Eltons, this is all they do.
“They just tour and tour and tour. This is where I am most comfortable, on a stage. It’s where it makes sense.”
Elton is embarking on the UK leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour aged 72 this summer.
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And while Take That are at the top of their game, like Elton, they still get nervous.
Howard, 50, jokes: “I’m full of trepidation, anxiety, I’m thinking of going home actually.”
Mark, 47, adds that stage fright means he thinks of quitting “all the time”.
And they haven’t ruled out a reunion with Robbie Williams and Jason Orange.
Mark says: “They are a massive part of the 30 years and part of our conscience when we were putting the show together and the album. We wanted to show respect.”
Gary chips in: “I think we will get back together at some point. It is something to look forward to.”
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And as we got talking about other 90s bands, namely the Spice Girls and Mel B’s story about a fling with bandmate Geri Horner, Gary jokes: “Me and Howard have something to confess...”
The lads stripped off for the 1991 Do What You Like music video.
And Mark says: “I don’t know how you top that really.”
Gary adds: “You are meant to reach that point and we started like that. We slowly put our clothes back on. There is nothing I haven’t seen.”
Swoon.
