Take That secure the biggest opening week for a UK

Take That secure the biggest opening week for a UK act in 2023 with their ninth number one album This Life, breaking Lewis Capaldi’s record

Take That’s new album, This Life, debuted at No. 1 on the Official Albums Chart on Friday, marking the band’s ninth No. 1 album.

The trio – Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald – sold over 116,000 units – the biggest opening week for a British artist this year.

Speaking about their success on the official charts, the band said: “First of all, wow.” We are so grateful that our ninth studio album has given us our ninth number one record in the UK.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to our fans for every bit of love you have shown us this year, be it singing along at BST Hyde Park over the summer or streaming and purchasing the album this week.”

“Our focus now is on next year’s tour. “We can’t wait to take this show on the road.”

Take That's new album, This Life, debuted at No. 1 on the Official Albums Chart, marking the band's ninth No. 1 album

Take That’s new album, This Life, debuted at No. 1 on the Official Albums Chart, marking the band’s ninth No. 1 album

The ninth studio album by Gary Barlow (52), Mark Owen (51) and Howard Donald (55) achieved impressive sales figures in Great Britain totaling 116,000 units within the first week.

Notably, 97% of these sales came from physical formats.

This achievement surpasses the previous record set by Lewis Capaldi’s 2023 second album Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, which sold 95,000 chart units in its debut week.

Take That already celebrated with “Everything Changes” (1993), “Nobody Else” (1995), “Greatest Hits” (1996), “Beautiful World” (2006), “The Circus” (2008), “Progress” (2010 ), “III” (2014) and “Odyssey” the biggest success (2018).

The group are now tied with Bob Dylan, Coldplay and Kylie Minogue on the list of acts with the most UK official number one albums, nine each.

This comes after former band member Robbie Williams, 49, announced he would be performing in London for one night only after his performance in Western Australia sent fans into a frenzy.

Fans erupted in excitement after Robbie announced the news on his social media.

Last month, Robbie released his highly anticipated documentary on Netflix, but it received some very mixed reviews from critics.

The record was previously set in 2023 with Lewis Capaldi's second album Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, which sold 95,000 chart units in its debut week

The record was previously set in 2023 with Lewis Capaldi’s second album Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, which sold 95,000 chart units in its debut week

Robbie Williams' highly anticipated documentary has finally been released on Netflix, but received some very mixed reviews from critics

Robbie Williams’ highly anticipated documentary has finally been released on Netflix, but received some very mixed reviews from critics

Take That have announced a reunion with all five members - Jason Orange, Robbie Williams, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Gary Barlow (pictured in 2011).

Take That have announced a reunion with all five members – Jason Orange, Robbie Williams, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Gary Barlow (pictured in 2011).

They uploaded a post to the Take That page that got everyone excited, featuring all five boys on stage in a video with the caption:

They uploaded a post to the Take That page that got everyone excited, featuring all five boys on stage in a video with the caption: “Never forget we’re going to have so much fun…soon soon.”

It tells the story of his 25-year showbusiness career on the show, from his exit from Take That in 1995 to his struggles with addiction and mental health.

However, some praised its “authenticity” and “honesty,” while others were unimpressed by its “limited scope.”

Earlier this year, Take That announced that all five original members would return to the stage “sometime soon” after posting a throwback video of the original cast singing “Never Forget.”

The post on the Take That page got everyone excited as all five boys – including Robbie and Jason Orange, 53 – appeared on stage in a video, along with the caption: “Never forget we’re going to have so much fun… one Day.” soon.’