Ross King: Take That musical The Band is top work from Gary Barlow

I WAS in Manchester for the launch of The Band – the long-awaited Take That musical.

You may remember Let It Shine – the talent show search for the stars of this stage extravaganza, and it’s finally set for a run at Manchester’s Opera House before touring the UK.

Gary Barlow phoned me up to ask if I’d like to come along, so I was over the Atlantic like a shot.

I did Summer Holiday at the same theatre 20 years ago – I’m surprised they let me back in the place!

The show was brilliant. Hopefully you’ve got your tickets for Glasgow or Edinburgh when it arrives next year.

It was a great opening night, topped off perfectly when the lads appeared on stage to perform Relight My Fire.

Duke Street’s own Lulu made a surprise cameo to sing the part she performed on the guys’ 1993 single.

Can you believe it – that was Lulu’s first No 1!

I chatted with Gaz and the gang before the gig, and then partied with them afterwards until 4am. They were delighted to be back in Manchester, their spiritual home. “We couldn’t have started it anywhere else,” said Gary. “We’ve talked about this for about eight years, a stage show which would have our music in it.

“I can’t believe we’re here and it’s opened.”

I have to hand back my Macho Man Certificate – I admit I cried four times during the show!

“I find it a very emotional tale,” admitted Gary’s bandmate Mark Owen.

“You follow the lives of five 16-year-old girls and their journey, and our music is the backdrop to that.

“Then they come back again 25 years later and share their experiences. But it relates to us on so many levels.

“We were 16 and 17 when we all met.”

Manchester is, of course, also the home of Coronation Street. When I was a young man I worked at Granada where Corrie is filmed.

On my first day I met the brilliant Liz Dawn in the lift.

I couldn’t help but smile as I clocked THE Vera Duckworth, one of the most iconic characters in soap history.

She said hi straight away and we got to chatting.

She made a nervous Scottish guy feel so welcome.

I was sad to hear she’d died. Liz was a lovely lady and a fine actress.