THE Band is a show for anyone who kissed a poster of their favourite pop star on their bedroom wall...

Featuring the music of Take That, it is described by the band as a thank you to fans for 25 years of loyal support.

“It pays the ultimate respect to our fans. It’s a celebration of our music and a beautifully written story,” said Gary Barlow, when the show was launched in Manchester earlier this year. “It’s for anyone who grew up with a boyband. It’ll have you laughing, crying, and feeling 15 again.”

Co-produced by Take That, the musical is heading for Bradford this autumn. It’s the story of five teenage friends in 1992 - to them, “the band”is everything. A quarter of a century later, they are reunited as middle-aged women, still trying to fulfil their dream and meet 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 looks set to capture the same warmth, poignancy and endearing characterisation as the hit musical about Rylstone and District WI's nude calendar.

“The Band is our story,” said Mark Owen. “We met these kids at 16 - they were outside our house, we’ve seen them grow up. We’ve always had a great relationship with our fans, now we can turn round and say: ‘This is for you’.”

The show stars AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Yazdan Qafouri and Sario Solomon - collectively known as 5 to 5, they won Let It Shine, the BBC’s search for a boyband to play ‘The Band’. Gary Barlow was head judge, with Dannii Minogue and Martin Kemp and guest judges Lulu and Glee star Amber Riley.

Joining 5 to 5 are Rachel Lumberg as superfan Rachel and Faye Christall as Young Rachel, and Emily Joyce, Alison Fitzjohn, Jayne McKenna as her friends, with Katy Clayton, Sarah Kate Howarth, Lauren Jacobs and Rachelle Diedericks as their teenage selves.

Gary said choosing a band on a TV talent show was a risk that paid off. “We never thought we’d find lads so talented, we were very lucky,” he said.

The musical has already broken box office records. Within two hours of tickets going on sale in March, the box office took £2 million - making it the fastest selling tour ever. Sales have now topped £10 million.

Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams are co-producers of the show, with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers. After opening in Manchester, The Band will tour the UK until next year.

* The Band runs at the Alhambra from October 17 - 28. For tickets call (01274) 432000.