Take That announce their comeback

Who'd have guessed that there was such pent-up demand for a Take That reunion? Even the band themselves didn't anticipate the reception that greeted the announcement that they were back – possibly for good – and were going on tour. Because previous reunions of ex-pop sensations such as Duran Duran hadn't exactly shaken the world, there was no reason to expect that Take That's gigs would sell out instantly, leading to a record deal and a string of No 1 albums and singles. Their success has raised the bar for all future band reformations: they won a Brit for best group this year, and this summer's stadium tour – their first with recent returnee Robbie Williams – is reputed to have been the fastest-selling UK tour in history. They've even acquired new admirers who despised them when they were a boyband, but think they're quite all right as a manband. And it doesn't hurt that they've maintained a wry humour about the whole ridiculous thing.