Three’s a crowd

They may be diminished in number, but Take That insist they still have what it takes to wow their UAE fans

Cream. The Bee Gees. The Police. Pop history is littered with highly successful trios. Nonetheless, when Jason Orange walked out on Take That, following the lead of Robbie Williams (who left, then returned, then left) and leaving the group as a threesome, the band toyed with the idea of disbanding.

“I had huge doubts whether it would work as a trio,” admits song writing supremo and de facto frontman Gary Barlow. “I thought, ‘This might be the end.’ It’s the closest we’ve come to calling it a day. We heavily researched what reaction would be like if we performed as a three. I even got the views of taxi drivers.”

Thankfully for fans, those taxi drivers proved to be in favour of the trio forging ahead and Gary, Mark Owen and Howard Donald agreed to stay together.

Fast forward a year and it’s hard to believe anyone ever doubted. The latest Take That incarnation has proved every bit as successful as its five- and four-piece predecessors. In fact, the band’s latest album, III, became their sixth No 1 record – and the most pre-ordered in Amazon UK history – while their recent UK tour sold out in true Take That style, within minutes. Such hysteria is expcted to reach similar levels when they play our neighbouring emirate this month. October 30

Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai, 6pm, Dhs350. Tel: (04) 4390000. Metro: Nakheel. doneevents.com