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Take That and Robbie Williams start tour | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Take That and Robbie Williams have started a record-breaking tour of 29 stadium dates in the UK and Ireland. | |
The first gig was in front of 55,000 ecstatic fans at the Stadium of Light football ground in Sunderland. | |
The performance featured two different line-ups of Take That as well as a solo set in the middle from Williams. | |
A total of 1.76 million tickets were sold after it was announced Williams would tour with his bandmates for the first time in 16 years. | |
'Special moment' | |
The show opened with the group's number two hit Rule The World, the first of five songs performed without Williams. | |
Williams was lowered 40ft to the stage for his part of the concert, which began with the massive single Let Me Entertain You. | |
The band was reunited for real to launch into The Flood, and performed a 90s medley including the hits Babe and Back For Good. | |
Moments earlier Jason Orange highlighted the reunion, telling the crowd: "Check this out - one, two, three, four, five." | |
Mark Owen added: "It's a special moment, ladies and gentlemen." | |
As the group held arms, Williams said: "Group hug." | |
Tight security | |
The reformed five-piece will play four dates in Sunderland before eight shows at the City of Manchester Stadium. | |
They then move on to Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow and Birmingham before a record eight nights at Wembley Stadium. | They then move on to Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow and Birmingham before a record eight nights at Wembley Stadium. |
Michael Jackson, who played seven consecutive shows there in 1988, held the previous record. | Michael Jackson, who played seven consecutive shows there in 1988, held the previous record. |
The Progress Live tour has seen Take That break their own record for total ticket sales. | The Progress Live tour has seen Take That break their own record for total ticket sales. |
Their last tour, which took place in 2009 without Williams, sold 1.08 million tickets. | Their last tour, which took place in 2009 without Williams, sold 1.08 million tickets. |
The set for this tour was built on an air base in Bedfordshire, where rehearsals took place amid tight security. | |