TAKE That enjoyed a triumphant homecoming last night as they played the first of 11 dates at Manchester's MEN Arena.

Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, delighted fans by performing a string of favourites.

The boys, who got together in 2005 after a nine-year absence, are back in town for the series of shows which will bring the curtain down on their Beautiful World Tour.

Fans who fell in love with the "boyband" as teenagers were joined by youngsters won over by more recent chart-toppers Shine and Patience, from their latest million-selling album, Beautiful World. Pop singer Sophie Ellis Bextor provided support.