Robbie Williams and Take That have announced a reunion after months of speculation.
Representatives for Williams and the group today confirmed they have been recording a new studio album as a five piece, which will be released in November of this year.
Williams left the group in 1995 and had years of ill-feeling about the way he was treated while he was a member.
He and the group have built bridges in recent years and even shared a stage for a Children In Need concert last year, an event organised by Take That’s Gary Barlow. It emerged last year that the group had been in the studio with Williams, when he let it slip during a radio interview.
Take That disbanded in 1996 but reunited without Williams in 2005 to huge success, including three number one singles.
Williams has already revealed he is releasing a single, Shame, with Take That's Gary Barlow.
The group's new album together, their first since 1995 release Nobody Else, is due for release in November and has been produced by Stuart Price, who has worked with Madonna and Kylie Minogue.
Williams spoke of his joy at rejoining his old colleagues. He said: “I get embarrassingly excited when the five of us are in a room. It feels like coming home.”
Bandmate Mark Owen said: “Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality. Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream. It’s been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again. But I’m still a better footballer,” he joked.
Jason Orange said: “I’m over the moon that Robbie’s back with us, however long it lasts. I just want to enjoy our time with him. Life is beautifully strange sometimes.”