Once the biggest boy band on the UK music scene until their split in 1996 but now after reforming as a four piece band, they have once again climbed to the top of the UK charts becoming strong contestants for the 2007 Christmas number one but being beaten by X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson.

Take That began their journey to ultimate stardom in 1990 in Manchester, UK when Nigel Smith formed the band using Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Mark Owen.

Known as the most successful British band since The Beatles the group achieved sales of 25 million records between 1991 and 1996. With catchy dance and soulful ballads they became popular with both teenage girls and their parents and later also becoming superstars in Europe.

Take That’s first two albums were two of the best selling albums of the 1990’s, Everything Changes and Greatest Hits saw the band looking for more and more number one hits as they dominated the UK chart for most of the first half of the 1990’s.

In the 1990’s the all boy band released their version of Tavares’ ‘It only Takes a Minute’ which saw them commanding the number seven spot in the UK charts. Their keyboard and pianist, Gary Barlow took them to number one again next with his composition of ‘A Million Love Songs’. But real recognition came with their next single, ‘Could it be Magic’, previously recorded by Barry Manilow and Donna Summer. Eventually the band bought the rights to the song from the original artist, Manilow.

Their first album, Take That and Party, was released in 1992, and contained all the so far released hit singles - a mix of covers and Barlow ballads. Their album Everything Changes contained the single ‘Relight My Fire’ which featured the 1960’s singer and ex wife of Maurice Gibb, Lulu.

With all Take That’s success in the UK and Europe, the band just couldn’t quite crack the US market even after their remix of Love Aint Here Anymore especially made for the US market.

But their lack of achievement in the US was of little concern to the band while in the UK they were sharing time with Princess Diana at her home in Kensington Palace and mixing socially with Elton John and making requests as to what he should play on his piano.

One of their best loved singles from the album, Nobody Else was Back for Good a romantic ballad which also made the US single charts. The album cover was thought to be reminiscent of The Beatles Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band cover.

It was 1996 that became the most trying year for Take That as rumours emerged of problems between Robbie Williams and the rest of the band. Robbie began to feel that the ‘good boy’ image the band had cultivated was not in keeping with his life style as he socialized with Liam Gallagher and brother Noel Gallagher of Oasis fame.

After several months of animosity between founder of the band, Nigel Smith and later Barlow, Robbie Williams made his departure from the band. Although the other members of the band continued to have success, they too announced their split in February 1996.

The band’s parting later spawned an album, Greatest Hits compilation in 1996 which contained a new cover version of the Bee Gee’s 1970’s hit, How Deep is Your Love

Although the band split in 1996 they continued to add their mark to the music industry in their own ways and after a 2005 documentary and the release of a greatest hits album, they announced a 2006 tour around the United Kingdom, entitled The Ultimate Tour 2006. On May 9, 2006, it was announced that Take That were set to record their first studio album in over 10 years. They then went onto produce another sell-out tour in 2007, which won high reviews from critics.

ABB