CityLife

Gary's Take That comeback nerves

IT'S not quite a million love songs later, but there are a few nerves in the Take That camp. Tickets for the former boy band's 2006 comeback tour, including a Manchester homecoming, go on sale today, writes Ian Wylie.

But, in an exclusive chat, the lads say they're worried no one will turn up. "There might be 10 people there at the M.E.N. Arena - and they'll be our families," says Gary Barlow.

Industry experts reckon they've got nothing to worry about. News of their reunion tour made big headlines as far afield as China and New Zealand.

"Last time I was at the M.E.N. Arena, I was on stage with Elton John and it was fantastic," recalls Frodsham-born Gary, who's set to sing at Elton's "hen night" before he marries David Furnish later this month.

Howard

Take That also have a few extra fans since they announced their original split in February 1996 - Gary's son Daniel, five, daughter Emily, three, and Howard Donald's daughter Grace, six.

"We'll have to do matinees for them," laughs Gary. "Although the shows are a bit too late, I'm sure they'll come along to one."

Daddy Howard, now a successful club DJ, adds: "My six-year-old, Grace, is going to be coming. She really has not got a clue about the whole Take That thing and wonders why I'm signing an autograph for somebody in a supermarket. I'm really excited for her to see the tour."

They may not be back for good, but Gary, Howard, Mark Owen and Jason Orange haven't ruled out going into the recording studio at some stage in the future if their stage comeback is a success.

"Being on tour is one thing, but making an album is a completely different animal. It's hard to rule anything out, but that's a long way away," cautions Gary, who has made millions from songwriting.

Never Forget

All four insist they were surprised by the huge sales of Never Forget, their new Greatest Hits compilation, only kept off the number one spot by Madonna. That sparked the decision to tour, along with big ratings for last month's ITV1 documentary when Take That - without Robbie Williams - were reunited on screen for the first time in 10 years.

And, with the band having re-recorded the previously unreleased song, Today I've Lost You, for the new CD, Mark is a little more optimistic about future studio work.

"If you'd asked us four weeks ago about going on tour, we would have all said no. Now, if you ask us, today, about making an album, we're not saying no, but we just know how our minds work now - we don't know how everything's going to go." Whatever happens as those ticket lines open, all four plan a celebration when they play the M.E.N. Arena.

Now based in the Lake District, Mark explains: "I love going back to Manchester. It still feels like I'm going home. We're all really looking forward to it. And I know all my relatives will be on the phone, asking for tickets."

Take That play the M.E.N. Arena on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6. Tickets are priced £25 - £35 and go on sale from 9am on Friday, December 2. Call 0870 060 1768 or click here.