Robbie Williams is planning to take time out from his Take That reunion to write a song for an “adult panto” show. The singer, who has just reunited with his old bandmates, will compose a track for a stage musical created by his friend Jonathan Wilkes. The show, Pantos On Strike, stars Wilkes and Phoenix Nights comedian Paddy McGuinness and will be seen at the Manchester Opera House in November.

Williams said: “It isn’t written yet, I hope I get it together.” Wilkes described the show as “a little bit risque” and said it was “definitely not for the children”. “Robbie’s writing the first song for the show,” he told the Manchester Evening News.

“He agreed to do that before he agreed to the Take That comeback,” he added. In November, Take That will release their first album as a five-piece for 15 years following a rapprochement between Williams and the other band members.

Take That have been spotted shooting their first music video since Robbie Williams rejoined the group. The band spent two days filming the promo for new single The Flood – their first release since William’s quit TT back in 1996. Robbie, Gary Barlow and Co were seen dressed in traditional oarsmen costumes – much like the ones that Oxford and Cambridge rowing teams used to wear – as they shot the video in a row boat on a lake in Berks. An onlooker told The Sun: “They were having a great time – it was just five friends having a laugh.”

The Take That lads were said to be using a specially made sculling boat for the video – customised to accommodate a fifth member. During the intense shoot, 36-year old Robbie stopped for a cigarette before jumping into Dorney Lake to cool off. The source continued: “Robbie and the boys clearly got on very well. It was just like old times. They were mucking about and having fun.” “When they finished filming on the first day Robbie decided he needed to cool off. He jumped straight into the lake and had a little swim. No one else had the guts to join him – it was freezing!” “The boys were stuck in a five-seater rowing boat wearing old-fashioned white rowing kits bearing a custom-designed Take That crest. They were told to paddle like the professionals.”

“They were joined by a second boat with lookalikes and filmed pretending to race – only the band were being pulled by another vessel carrying the camera crew.” They added: “I think they found it quite hard. If you haven’t done it before, sculling can be pretty difficult. There were lots of little kids around and at one stage they all started singing Angels and Robbie was pretending to conduct them.” In other Take That news, pals of reunited member Robbie claim that they believe Williams’ stage fright will be cured when the takes to the stage with TT again. A friend of the Bodies singer told The Sun: “With the boys there the stage fright won’t be an issue. I know he suffered from that earlier on.”

They added: “But he’ll have all that support of his band of brothers. It’s so wonderful that he has joined Take That again.” (source: mtv.co.uk)

They say the best things come to those who wait, well whether it's the best thing or not, fans of Take That have certainly been waiting a while for the original five members to put their differences aside and record a new album ... 15 years to be precise.

The last time Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams entered a recording studio in anger together they were knocking together their 1995 number one album Nobody Else.
Well, a few things have changed since then, Robbie rose, fell and stabilised ... the four piece Take That continued, disbanded and reformed ... but this is the moment that the fans have really been waiting for.

An album is already in the can and will be released in November (just in time for the second single to assault the Christmas charts). Although the record still has no name, dyed in the wool fans (of which there are still many millions, I suspect) will be pleased to know that the album is already available for pre-order from Take That Official Store with the promise that loyal Take That-ers will be at the front of the queue for the latest goodies and gossip.

The band have also released some footage of their recording sessions earlier this year, you can even hear them doing a bit of singing if you listen really hard. (source: beehivecity.com)

Britney Spears’ love of all things British has taken her down some strange musical paths. She says: “I like New York, but I also LOVE London! I love to take my boys on car drives and sing songs to them about Mary Poppins that I make up.” Then she adds: “It’s a surprise when my new album is out, but I would love to do a duet with Robbie Williams.” (source: mirror.co.uk)

Robbie Williams and Russell Brand have been unveiled as vocalists on a remake of 3 Lions for the World Cup. The pair share singing duties on the track, which has been revived by original creators David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and The Lightning Seeds. Released on Monday, the song features an operatic introduction and has been produced by Trevor Horn.

The Football Association announced in January there would be no official England song for the tournament. It is the first time since 1966 that there has been no song to mark the campaign, leading to various unofficial anthems. The official song for the World Cup in South Africa is Time For Africa, performed by Shakira and Freshlyground.

Pop star Williams said: “I’ve always been approached to write football songs but have always declined as I thought 3 Lions could never be beaten, so I am really happy to be part of this record.”

Producer Horn, who has replaced the terrace chants at the start of the 1996 original with an operatic opening, said the remake “had to be done”.

“I am either the brave one or the foolish one who said I will have a go – I did it for England,” he added. 3 Lions was first released as the anthem for the Euro 96 tournament and topped the charts. It returned to the top spot two years later. The song, performed under the name The Squad, also features football commentator John Motson.

It also returns to the lyrical references of the original release, including those to Gary Lineker and 1966 World Cup heroes Bobby Moore and Sir Bobby Charlton. (source: BBC website)