TAKE THAT!

Some days you hear news that makes your heart race and your skin tingle. Today it has been announced that Robbie Williams is re-joining Take That, the pop band he helped to make famous in the 1990s. I feel as giddy as a schoolgirl.

Formed in 1990, by Nigel Martin-Smith, the band rode the pop-chart wave for six years with catchy disco numbers such as "It Only Takes a Minute" and passion ballads like "A Million Love Songs". Their mix of cooing lyrics and syrupy harmonies stole the hearts of countless young girls, their mums and gay men everywhere.

Robbie left Take That in 1995 amid a dark cloud of drug allegations and clashes with Gary Barlow, the band's songwriter (who penned such lines as "All I do each night is pray/Hoping that I'll be a part of you again someday"). The others disbanded months later, to a symphony of sobs from their fans. (A helpline was established for distraught groupies at the time, much like the one created for Harry Potter devotees years later.) Robbie has since battled drugs, booze and other vices, but also became a global star following the 1997 release of his solo debut "Life thru a Lens", which included the chart-topping song "Angels". Gary and Mark Owen also tried to go it alone, with less enduring success.

Take That reunited (minus Robbie) ten years after their split, and their two-month 2006 Ultimate Tour sold out in 30 minutes. The concert was electric. I screamed like a child and scrambled for a kiss from Mark as they walked through the thronging crowd (a brave gesture, considering the levels of hysteria at Wembley Arena). But it was still Robbie I pined for. Speculation about a surprise appearance was rife, we were even teased with a hologram of the man projected on stage singing "Could It Be Magic?" But the magic ingredient never appeared in person.

Even wthout Robbie, their most charismatic member, the band continued to turn out sunny pop hits such as "Shine" and a few more of Gary's failsafe love melodies. ("Just have a little patience/I'm still hurting from the love I lost"). But Robbie was always the spark that set them alight. Now, 20 years on from the cheeky fresh-faced group of 1990 and following highly publicised spats over cash and creativity, the original line-up is back. This feat surely cost the band's record company, Polydor, quite a bit of chump change. But given Polydor's roll call of money-makers, including Girls Aloud, Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga, it seems they've picked another sound bet.

Now the reunited band is all broad smiles and buddy hugs with plans to release an album later this year and tour in 2011. Let's hope these grown-up guys can still deliver their winning formula, synchronised dance routines and all. I'm fluttering with anticipation.

~ LUCY FARMER