TAKE That have launched their new musical, which they're calling a 'thank you' to fans for 25 years of support, and announced that the show is heading to Bradford.

The Telegraph & Argus was yesterday invited to an exclusive preview of the new show, The Band, which comes the Alhambra in October, early in a major UK tour.

Take That's Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald launched their new musical during a nostalgic return to the O2 Apollo in Manchester, the venue where it all began for them back in 1992.

Five to Five - the boy band picked to star in the show by public vote on BBC1's Let It Shine earlier this year - performed exclusive scenes with other cast members for an invited audience of press and fans.

It was revealed that The Band - co-produced by Take That and featuring their songs - is about "what it's like to grow up with a boyband". For five 16-year-old friends in 1992, the band they worship is everything - 25 years on, they're reunited as forty-something women, trying to once more fulfil their dreams of meeting their heroes.

The show is written by Tim Firth, who co-wrote hit musical The Girls, based on the Calendar Girls story, with Gary Barlow.

"The Band is our story," said Mark. "We met these kids at 16, they were outside our house, and we've seen them grow up. The support they've given to us over the years has been fantastic. We've always had a great relationship with our fans and now we're able to turn round and say: 'This is for you'."

Co-producer David Pugh revealed that the show is based on the true story of a letter written by some Take That fans. "That was the seed of the idea we leapt upon," he said. "Those young ladies are here today, that's all we can say on that for now."

He added that former Take That Jason Orange was there "in spirit", and had been sent scripts to look at, along with Robbie Williams, who is in Los Angeles working on his tour.

Gary Barlow said: "I feel very proud to sit in an audience and watch this musical being performed. It pays the ultimate respect to our audience - to any audience. It's a celebration of our music and a beautifully written story. It will touch the hearts not just of our fans, but everyone.

"It'll have you laughing, crying, and feeling like you're 15 again."

He said choosing singers to play the band on a TV talent show - Gary was head judge on Let It Shine - was a risk that had paid off. "We never thought we'd find lads so talented, but here they are," he smiled.

"They're like our little brothers," added Mark. "We're very proud of them, we were so lucky to find such a band from a TV show."

Howard Donald said the musical had been planned for several years: "We first had the idea back when we did the Circus tour. We said, 'We have to do a musical'. The songs really bring out the emotion in us, it movers me to tears when see them performed like this."

Actress Rachel Lumberg, who plays the older version of central character Rachel (the younger version is played by Faye Christall), praised Five to Five - comprised of AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Yazdan Qafouri Isfahani, Curtis T Johns and Sario Watanabe-Soloman - whose lives changed forever when they won Let It Shine.

"This band work their butts off," she said. "This is a totally different experience to what they're used to on a TV show, but they're so focussed and professional."

Howard said returning to the Apollo sent a shiver down his spine. "It's where it all began for us," he said. "I remember before every show I nearly broke down in tears because of all the noise from the fans. It was such an amazing reaction."

Gary revealed that Tim Firth, an old friend he grew up with, first saw him perform on that stage: "It was our first gig, he queued with my mum to buy tickets. I asked him afterwards what he thought and he said, 'I don't know, I couldn't hear a thing'. The screams were deafening."

* The Band is at the Alhambra from October 17-28.

How deep is your love for Take That? Will you be getting tickets for the new musical?