Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Better Man!
Better Manspends a lot of its runtime focusing on Robbie Williams' time in Take That, and here is what happened to the popular British boy band after he left. Although Robbie Williams is now more famous as an independent artist, he got his start in the world of music as a member of the five-person group Take That, which he stayed part of for several years. AsBetter Manshows,Robbie Williams eventually left the group, although Take That has a lot more history that whatBetter Manshowed.
Better Manis one of the most unique musical biopics ever made, with it telling the mostly true story of Robbie Williams with a twist: he is played by a CGI monkey. However,Robbie Williams' status as an anthropomorphic monkeyis entirely thematic, with it never being addressed by the characters in the film. InBetter Man, Robbie Williams' ape form does not hold him back from finding success, with it all starting with his time in the boy band Take That. Although Williams eventually left the band, here’s what happened to Take That after Williams departed.
Take That Broke Up Less Than A Year After Robbie Williams' Departure
They Didn’t Last Long
Better Manexplores the story of Take That up until Robbie Williams' departure, with Williams' decision to leave the band being portrayed fairly accurately. As the film shows, Robbie Williams' increasing drug abuse became a problem for the band, with him nearly overdosing in 1994 before a performance. Thus, the other four members of Take That decided to give Williams an ultimatum in June 1995, with him having to either become more responsible or having to leave the band. AsBetter Manshows, Williams chose the latter.
This came right before Take That’s planned world tour, as well as right on the heels of the band’s third studio album,Nobody Else. The band continued to perform with only the four members, with them releasing more music and completing the Nobody Else Tour later in 1995. However, the tour cemented the end of Take That’s time together, with them soon after deciding that it was time for Take That to disband.
Every Better Man Song, Ranked Worst To Best
Better Man includes some of Robbie Williams’ most beloved and successful songs, ranging from his time in Take That to his later solo career.
In February 1996, Take That officially announced that they would be breaking up.While Take That did have a few more songs coming down the pipe as well as aGreatest Hitsalbum, Take That’s announcement sent shockwaves throughout the boy band fandom. AsBetter Manexplains, fans of Take That threatened suicide after the announcement, which was shocking for the members of the band. However, this didn’t change anything, with Take That remaining broken up for nearly a decade.
Take That Reunited In 2005 Without Robbie Williams
But The Four Other Members Were There
In 2005, nine years after Take That had officially announced that they were breaking up, things began to change. 2005 saw the release of a compilation album calledNever Forget - The Ultimate Collection, with this being a massive hit on the UK charts. This album reignited interest in Take That, with the band getting the opportunity to come back together for an ITV1 documentary titledTake That: For the Recordin November of that year. AlthoughRobbie Williams was not involved, the rest of Take That’s four members decided to reform the band for the first time.
In November 2005, it was announced that Take That would be going on tour the following year, withThe Ultimate Tourrunning from April to June 2006. This made Take That incredibly popular again, with several other popular bands and musicians joining Take That throughout their tour. In May 2006, the new Take That signed with Polydor Records, with them making a deal to record more music. 2006’sBeautiful Worldwas Take That’s comeback album, with it being the band’s first album in 11 years, following up onNobody Else.
No, Better Man Is Not Suitable For Kids: Parents' Guide & R-Rating Explained
Better Man offers insight into Robbie Williams' career, but its R-rating means it’s not suitable for kids. Here’s a parents guide to the music biopic.
The reformed Take That made some changes withBeautiful World, with all four of the members getting the opportunity to sing lead vocals as well as getting co-writing credits. The band continued performing and releasing singles,with Take That’s fifth studio albumThe Circusreleasing in 2008. Take That went on more tours, performed onThe X Factor, and continued finding major success for the next few years. However, everything changed in 2010.
Robbie Williams Rejoined Take That In 2010
After Over A Decade Gone
After leaving Take That in 1995, Robbie Williamsshocked the world when he announced that he would be rejoining the band in 2010. Before the announcement, Williams had been working on the band with new music, resulting in the release of Take That’s sixth studio album, 2010’sProgress. The album was a hit, with it leading to another Take That tour known as Progress Live.Progresssold 235,000 copies in one day, making it the fastest-selling album of the century. Take That then released more singles, did more performances, and even sang at the 2012 Summer Olympics' closing ceremony.
Take That’s last ever performance as a five-piece band came in November 2012,with them singing “Never Forget” at the Music Industry Trust Awards. Williams had his second child soon after, leading him to not return for Take That’s subsequent albums. He continued focusing on his solo work, although he has collaborated with various members of Take That since his second departure from the band.
Take That Is Still Active Now But With A Smaller Lineup
Only Three Original Members Remain
As of the writing of this article, Take That is still active. However, the band does have a smaller lineup. The remaining four members continued to work together after Williams' departure, although not for long. Jason Orange announced that he would be leaving Take That in September 2014. However,Take That continued to perform without replacing Williams or Orange, meaning that the band is now a three-piece. Their first song as a three-piece was “These Days,” and they have continued releasing music ever since.
Better Man’s Box Office Is So Much Worse When Remembering Its Connection To This $469 Million Musical
Better Man’s director will be sorely disappointed with his latest biopic’s box office performance, especially when considering his 2017 success story.
Take That has continued to perform, release singles, and release albums throughout the years, with them still being active to this day. Although Williams and Orange have yet to return to the band, Take That still maintains its popularity as a three-piece. In August 2024, Netflix announced that it was developing a behind-the-scenes documentary about Take That, meaning that Robbie Williams’Better Manisn’t the only film that will be tackling the story.
Better Man
Cast
Directed by Michael Gracey, Better Man explores the life and career of singer Robbie Williams through his own eyes.
