Rob in 1995
(leaving Take That)
The Statements
"Lads,
I've had an idea. Gary, Mark, Howard, Jason AND Robbie together on stage one last time.
Before you throw the paper in the bin, hear me out. I know that since I left we've had our differences. Some of the arguments are still unresolved and I'm sure the lawyers will continue to rake in the cash for months to come. But one thing keeps coming back to haunt me - simply that Take That have not given their fans the farewell they want and deserve.
Yes, I am willing to rejoin the band for one final show. I'll happily rehearse and perform our hits without complaint and without a fee. At your farewell Press conference Jason said you didn't want to play another live concert before splitting because you'd feel you were milking the fans. Well, why don't we donate all profits to charity? That way we can all perform with a perfectly clear conscience.
I'm sure none of us could cope with another tour but what I'm suggesting is a spectacular final stadium concert at a venue like Wembley or Old Trafford. Maybe we could beam it live to venues around the country so that every fan gets a chance to see us. My only condition would be that the cash from the merchandising goes to charity as well. I don't think anyone should make a money out of this gig.
I never had the chance to say goodbye to any of our fans and it's something which will always stick in my throat. Now that you have all gone your seperate ways I guarantee you'll all soon feel the same way.
It's the fans who made Take That and gave us our success. They are owed a proper goodbye from ALL of us - they deserve to see Take That perform live on last time.
Come on boys - let's do it!
Robbie Williams"
Nigel Martin-Smith dismissed
any chance of a reunion saying:"Since R's departure from TT last year Gary ,Mark ,Howard and Jason have resolutely remained silent. Unlike Robbie they have not used the press to reply to his comments or vent their frustrations and anger at his many outbursts. Take That's exit from pop was not a decision taken lightly and the band made it clear there would be no farewell concert. Take That ended their career in a dignified manner and they have no wish to enter into a press battle about an event that will never happen and with a person who has not bothered to contact them personally. Robbie has nothing else to talk about and has therefore resorted to a cheap trick to get sympathy and public support. It is terrible that the fans are still having their hopes raised in this cruel way. I'm anxious that the band and fans are not caused any further distress by irresponsible behaviour. Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, and Jason Orange are now planning their futures. The sooner they are allowed to get on with this, the sooner the fans will see them again. Robbie should do the same and should not harp on about a group that no longer exisits."
Robbie replied saying:"Nigel is mistaken when he says I have not contacted them personally. I put this idea to the band privately 2 months ago and they chose not to respond. It could be that Nigel did not let them, So the only way I could be sure of them knowing how I felt was by putting my letter in the Sun. Nigel clearly doesn't think much of the idea and I don't know how the boys themselves feel about it. He has not come up with one good reason why the show cannot happen. I didn't do this to raise my profile - I think everyone knows who I am by now. I did it purely for the fans and all the charities that would have benefitted from the concert."