A new three-part Netflix documentary, directed by David Soutar, charts the tumultuous journey of Take That, from their rise and fall to their triumphant reunion. Narrated by current members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, the series also features archive interviews with former bandmates Robbie Williams and Jason Orange.
Soutar told The Independent he urged the band to cede creative control, admitting it was 'sadistic' to see how the final cut 'made them feel what they felt back then; really tough, complicated feelings'. Barlow speaks extensively about the burden of being the band's chief songwriter, recalling the failure of 'Once You've Tasted Love' to reach the Top 40 and the flop of debut single 'Do What You Like'. He felt he had 'failed', but the success of cover 'It Only Takes a Minute' and their first number one 'Pray' turned things around.
Episode two delves into Barlow's struggles after Take That split in 1996. While Williams soared with 'Angels', Barlow was mocked by the press, dropped by his label, developed an eating disorder, and became a target for comedians David Walliams and Matt Lucas. 'I'd killed the pop star,' he says of his time locked away in Cheshire.
Despite no fresh testimony from Williams, Barlow reveals he once hurt Williams by calling him 'Blobby' instead of 'Robbie', a jab that stuck for years. Mark Owen, Williams's best mate in the band, says the lyrics of comeback single 'Shine' are not about Williams, but about the band themselves: 'Stop being so hard on yourself... Don't let your demons pull you down.'
The band reunited with Williams in 2010 for the album Progress, one of the fastest-selling of the century. Williams, then 'bored, scared and lonely' in Los Angeles, reconciled with Barlow in just 25 minutes, putting years of tension to rest.
