In an exclusive revelation, a devoted Take That enthusiast has shared her remarkable personal connection to the iconic boy band, recalling a cherished teenage moment with member Jason Orange that remains vivid decades later. Now a 36-year-old mother of two, Hannah Britt attended the glittering London premiere of Take That's new Netflix documentary series with a unique perspective, having enjoyed an intimate smooch with Orange when she was just 19 years old.
A Night of Nostalgia and New Beginnings
The stars aligned at Battersea Power Station yesterday evening for the highly anticipated premiere of Take That, a three-part documentary series streaming on Netflix that chronicles the band's extraordinary 35-year journey. While celebrities and fans gathered to celebrate, superfan Hannah Britt experienced the event with particularly poignant memories, reflecting on her youthful encounter with Jason Orange in a dimly lit Manchester bar booth.
From Teenage Crush to Adult Adoration
Hannah's fandom began in childhood, inspired by her older sister Emily's cassette tapes and sustained through years of wearing threadbare Take That T-shirts as her preferred attire. Like millions worldwide, she was captivated by the musical phenomenon created by Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, and Robbie Williams. Her brief romantic interlude with Orange during her teenage years remains a treasured anecdote, typically shared only after a drink or two at social gatherings until now.
"I've been a massive fan for as long as I can remember," Hannah explains. "That moment with Jason was magical for a 19-year-old, and it's stayed with me through becoming a mother and building a career. Attending this premiere felt like coming full circle."
Inside the Netflix Documentary Premiere
The premiere event brought together current band members Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald, who charmed attendees with their warmth and generosity. Notably absent were Jason Orange, who left the group in 2014 seeking a quieter life, and Robbie Williams, currently promoting his new Britpop album. The documentary itself promises unprecedented access, featuring never-before-seen footage from the band's personal archives.
Revelations and Rare Footage
Howard Donald revealed that even after 35 years of public scrutiny, the documentary contains surprising material. "There is footage in there that people won't have seen," he confirmed. "After 35 years of videos we still have stuff up our sleeve." Gary Barlow expressed his own astonishment, admitting: "I thought I'd seen everything. We've had documentaries made, we've been followed round the world. But watching this back there were pieces of footage where I thought, 'I don't even remember being there.'"
The documentary, directed by David Soutar (known for Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All and Sunderland Till I Die), began with what Soutar describes as "an Ikea bag of unseen tapes" containing 52 handycam recordings from the 1990s. These intimate recordings capture the band's early dynamics, including a particularly moving moment in Munich where they harmonize Back For Good acapella before taking the stage.
The Band's Candid Reflections
Now in their fifties, the Take That members reflected openly on their extraordinary career trajectory. Mark Owen addressed the common misconception about their current status, joking: "The biggest misconception of Take That is that we're still a boy band." He emphasized their continued dedication, adding: "We've worked hard to get to where we are. We really care."
Confronting Difficult Chapters
The documentary doesn't shy away from the band's challenging periods, including Gary Barlow's struggles with an eating disorder following their 2006 breakup. Barlow has previously described this time as being in a "hole" and "trying to kill off the pop star" persona. The film also explores the emotional impact of their initial 1996 dissolution, which was so devastating for fans that a dedicated helpline was established.
Gary recalled the painful separation: "We used to all get in a van together, but that day we left in separate cars. I watched the breakup unfold on the news from home and pretty much for a few years we didn't really see each other." Howard Donald's frustration remains palpable decades later, while Mark Owen offered philosophical perspective: "The break up had to happen in many ways. It helped us when we came back to really appreciate it and be really grateful for each other."
A Celebrity-Filled Celebration
The premiere attracted numerous famous faces beyond the band's core fanbase. Superfan Amanda Holden described feeling "giddy" to attend, while Formula One legend David Coulthard offered his predictions for Mercedes' upcoming season. Television personalities including James Corden and Joel Dommett showed their support, highlighting Take That's enduring cross-generational appeal.
Looking Toward the Future
2026 promises to be another significant year for Take That, with their The Circus Live summer tour commencing at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium on May 29th and new music in development. Gary Barlow confirmed: "We've been writing for the last 12 months, we've just started to record. There will be new music at the end of the year, maybe a few new songs while we're on tour."
Executive producer Gabe Turner marveled at the band's sustained relevance: "They've been relevant for 35 years. What other bands do you know that were massive in the 90s, but then came back and instead of just doing a 'greatest hits', produce better music than they did the first time round, do stadium tours and then stay in the national conversation until present day?"
For Hannah Britt and millions of fans worldwide, Take That's magic endures—from teenage crushes to middle-aged appreciation, their music and story continue to resonate across generations. The Netflix documentary serves as both celebration of an extraordinary legacy and promise of future creativity, proving that some pop phenomena truly are built to last.
