UNITED KINGDOM: 'TAKE THAT' MAKE FIRST APPEARANCE AFTER SPLITTING WITH GROUP MEMBER ROBBIE WILLIAMS

Record ID: 336163

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: 'TAKE THAT' MAKE FIRST APPEARANCE AFTER SPLITTING WITH GROUP MEMBER ROBBIE WILLIAMS
  • Date: 19th July 1995
  • Summary: TAKE THAT, LULU, EDDIE READER, EYC AND CHINA BLACK PERFORMING "HEY JUDE" IN WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT FINALE
  • Embargoed: 3rd August 1995 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA6U59TLCW81PT21M4IAAX85V1G
  • Story Text: British teen pop sensations "Take That" have made their first public appearance after splitting with group member Robbie Williams.

    Hundreds of teenagers lined streets outside the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) studios in Elstree to see the remaining four singers.

    The fans were rewarded when Take That left rehearsals to greet the crowd waiting outside.

    In an open letter after the split this week, Williams said he was "scared and confused." Robbie, 21, apologised for letting them down, but wrote: "Things have changed and I have to do something else for my own peace of mind and health." He added: "Some weeks ago I had reached the stage where I had to make a decision to see an end to the pressure I was under from constant touring and the strict regime of the group." He said he had offered to stay on until October when the forthcoming world tour and his contract ended.

    "Unfortunately the other members of the band felt that I was no longer able to give Take That the long-term commitment they needed and that it would be best if I left the band immediately," he wrote.

    Take That, who shot to fame in 1992 with It Only Takes A Minute, have had six number one singles in the U.K., and have made an impact on European and Australian charts.

    Concerts and promotional appearances across the UK draw legions of screaming fans.

    Robbie was the youngest member of the band, a double glazing salesman recruited by manager Nigel Martin-Smith through a newspaper advertisement.

    He always seemed to find it most difficult to follow the discipline required of a clean cut group. Instead he relished the party lifestyle and regretted not being able to have girlfriends.

    Other band members Gary Barlow, 24, and Mark Owen, 23, have said they respect Robbie's decision and that he would be welcome back at any time.
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