Take That snub musical

Take That have hit out at plans for a West End musical based on their songs.

The foursome, currently topping the chart with Shine, are furious that new show Never Forget will feature their hits.

The band issued a strongly worded statement distancing themselves from the production.

It said: "The band would like to state categorically that this production is being undertaken with neither their involvement nor their endorsement.

"They would wish their fans and the general public to know that this production is absolutely and 100 per cent nothing to do with Take That."

Never Forget is a fictional story about a Take That tribute band. It will feature the chart hits Relight My Fire, Pray and Back For Good, as well as the show's title song.

Record label EMI licensed the songs to the musical's producers in 2005, but the band had no idea they were intended for use in this show.

The producers describe it as a "feel-good comedy about love, friendship, ambition and betrayal" and stress it is not about the real boy band's rise to fame.

The original story was created by TV writer Danny Brocklehurst, best known for Shameless and Clocking Off.

Never Forget will tour five stages across the country before it hits a West End venue, yet to be announced.

Producer Tristan Baker said: "We are the biggest fans of Take That's music and we are so excited about the wonderful opportunity to create a new musical based on the fantastic catalogue of their work.

"We look forward to creating a legacy with these well-loved songs in the way that shows such as Mamma Mia! have done before."

Fans will be able to see the musical at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff; the King's Theatre, Glasgow; Manchester Opera House; the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent; and the Edinburgh Playhouse.

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