25 facts you probably didn't know about Take That
Get to know the boys!
Think you know everything about Take That? Well, we've pulled together 25 facts about the band and its members, past and present: Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, Robbie Williams and Jason Orange.
Following the release of their Netflix documentary called Take That, which featured a new song called 'You're A Superstar', and the announcement that they will be going on tour in 2026, let's test your knowledge on these interesting tidbits. Find out all the interesting facts you never knew about Take That right here...
1) Take That haven't always been called Take That
Take That's original name was The Cutest Rush, made up of Gary Barlow and Mark Owen. Then, when Robbie Williams, Howard Donald and Jason Orange joined the band, they called themselves Kick It for a while. Of course, that didn't last long, and they changed their name to Take That and Party, before finally settling on Take That.
2) Gary Barlow says his biggest regret was not living in the moment
Gary opened up in December 2022 saying that his biggest regret from his time in Take That was not living in the moment. He explained in an interview with Ross King: "Everyone always has their different role and I was the worrier. It’s my only regret looking back, is that I wish I was in the moment more.
"I’m always thinking about tomorrow... what do we do next year? Big plans? Always planning ahead, and I don't ever really enjoy the moment."
3) Although Take That have a huge fanbase now, it wasn't always the case
It's hard to believe now, but their first few singles struggled. In 1991, Take That's first song and debut single 'Do What U Like' only reached Number 82 in the UK. Their second single 'Promises', also in 1991, reached Number 38. Take That's first Number 1 was with 'Pray' in 1993.
4) Of Take That's nine studio albums, seven of them hit the top spot in the UK charts
They achieved Number 1 status in the UK.
5) Take That were formed as the UK's answer to American boyband New Kids on the Block
Actor Mark Wahlberg is a former member of the US band.
6) When Gary joined Take That, he had been performing in clubs since the age of 15
Wow! Now that's impressive.
7) Mark had previously been working at a bank before joining the band
He was 18-years-old.
8) Gary is married to a former backing dancer for the band
Dawn Andrews and Gary married in 2000, and share son Daniel and daughters Daisy and Emily.
9) Before Take That, Jason and Howard are believed to have been in a break-dancing band
Apparently, it was call StreetBeat.
10) Take That's eighth album 'Wonderland' was kept off the top spot by Ed Sheeran
It was his '÷' album in 2017.
11) Robbie was the youngest member to join Take That
He was just 16-years-old when he became part of the band and, according to the documentary Take That: For the Record, he has his mum to thank for his involvement with the band. Robbie's mum responded to a newspaper advert wanting members for a new boyband... And the rest is history!
Who is the oldest member of Take That?
Howard is the oldest member of Take That! His birthday is 28th April 1968, making him currently 57-years-old. Gary is next oldest, his birthday is on 20th January 1971 and he's currently 55-years-old.
Jason Orange is the middle child - his birthday is 10th July 1970, and he's currently 55-years-old. Mark is next on 27th January 1972, and currently 54-years-old, whilst Robbie's is 13th February 1974, making him currently 51-years-old.
12) As a group, Take That have won a whopping eight BRIT Awards
Including Best British Group and Best British Live Act.
13) Take That's hit 'Back for Good' was used in a popular Korean drama
It was called The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, appearing as part of the soundtrack.
14) Robbie's dad is a comedian called Pete Conway
He appeared on an episode of The X Factor, where he jokingly sat in for Robbie on the panel, next to his daughter-in-law Ayda Williams.
15) Gary has written a number of songs for other artists
Including Alesha Dixon, Donny Osmond, Lily Allen as well as his former bandmates, Robbie Williams and Mark Owen, for their respective solo careers.
16) Robbie is believed to have a keen interest in UFOs
In 2008, the Mirror reported that the singer was planning to give up music to full-time ufologist - thank goodness that didn't happen!
17) Howard rarely sang lead vocals
However, he was the lead singer on 'Never Forget', which featured on 'Nobody Else', the album reached Number 1 in the UK in 1995. Since Take That reunited in 2005, he's taken the lead on a couple more of the band's tracks.
18) Howard suffered a collapsed lung on tour in Milan in 2007
It happened when a stage manoeuvre went horribly wrong.
19) Robbie voiced Dougal in The Magic Roundabout movie
It came out in 2005.
20) Robbie Williams made a cameo in EastEnders!
He was in an episode in 1995.
21) Take That's first TV appearance was in 1990 on The Hit Man and Her
They performed 'My Kind of Girl'.
22) Take That's 'Circus' tour in 2009 became the fastest-selling of all time
'Take That Present: The Circus Live' tour broke all records by selling all of their 650,000 tickets in less than four and a half hours. Fans are now over the moon to hear that the band are bringing back 'The Circus Tour' in 2026, performing dates across the UK and Ireland in May, June and July.
23) 'Progress' sold a massive 235,000 copies sold in just one day
This made it the fastest selling album of the century.
24) Take That reunited AGAIN during the pandemic
Take That reunited with former member Robbie Williams for a reunion concert on Friday 29th May 2020! The gig took place on both Compare The Meerkat's Facebook page and YouTube page.
25) There's a Take That film!
Yep, you read that right! Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald executive produced a musical film called Greatest Days, based on their jukebox production The Band, which ran in 2017.
Hear Take That's biggest hits on the Hits Radio 90s playlist
Now read:
10 of Robbie Williams' biggest songs of all time
Gary Barlow reveals his biggest regret from his time in Take That
Take That's biggest career moments through the years