Here's how you can watch the livestream of Robbie Williams' Take That return
Robbie Williams is set to reunite with his old Take That band mates for a special one-off, charity performance.
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Hide AdWilliams, Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald will perform together for the first time since 2018, although it will be a show with a difference.
Rather than a packed stadium show, the group will instead perform remotely from the comfort of their owns homes, in keeping with the UK Government’s lockdown measure designed to control the spread of Covid-19.
"This is a world first for us!" the group said in a statement. "Reuniting with our old friend online for a one-off performance!
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Hide Ad"It's always great getting back together with Robbie and we are really excited to be part of this unique show that everyone can enjoy from home.
How do I watch the gig?
The performance is the first to be held under the Meerkat Music banner, and is being organised in conjunction with price comparison website Compare the Market.
It will take place on Friday 29 May from 8pm and will be available to stream through the Compare the Meerkat YouTube channel and Facebook Live.
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Hide AdAn unnamed source told The Sun discussions surrounding the collaboration had been taking place for weeks.
“The gig will go out into people's homes over the internet,” they said, “and each band member will be performing from their own homes so they won't actually be together.
"They can't be physically reunited because of travel restrictions and corona rules but it is still them all coming together to perform their hits, something no one has seen in a long time.”
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Hide AdIt’s technically not the first time Williams has reunited with old colleagues during the coronavirus pandemic; he and Barlow recently came together for a duet from their homes, performing their single ‘Shame’.
Barlow captioned the Instagram post: “Sorry to have made you wait so long for this one. Yes the dynamic duo return.
“Thank you @robbiewilliams for taking the time to be part of this. Big hugs (virtually of course) #thecroonersessions.”
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Hide AdWhich charities will benefit?
Through the livestream, the band will be supporting music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins and Crew Nation, which supports concert crew workers via a relief fund.
"We are also delighted to be supporting Nordoff Robbins and Crew Nation around this show, two charities very close to our hearts," the group said in a statement.
Williams added: "I am really looking forward to performing with the boys again – it's always a pleasure. Nordoff Robbins and Crew Nation are both such brilliant charities and I'm thrilled to be supporting them around this show.
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Hide Ad"If we can't go to the stadium…we'll bring the stadium to us."
Will Jason Orange be involved?
Take That formed as five-piece in 1989 with Robbie Williams and Jason Orange also featuring in the original line-up.
Williams’ departure in 1995 led to a split the following year. The other four members reunited in 2005 for a comeback that saw them clock up three number one albums.
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Hide AdWilliams later rejoined the group for the Process album in 2011. The record’s subsequent tour set the record for the fastest selling concert tour this century.
He left again in 2012, but has returned for a number of one-off performances since, most recently on The X Factor in 2018, when Robbie was one of the judges with his wife Ayda Field.
Jason Orange won't be taking part in the performance after he left in 2014, saying he no longer wanted to commit to the lifestyle of making and promoting music.