SUPERSTAR boy band Take That will bring their new tour to Southampton.

Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen will play to a crowd of more than 32,000 screaming fans at St Mary’s Stadium on May 25, 2019.

The announcement of a Southampton date for Take That’s Greatest Hits Live 2019 tour was made yesterday.

The tour will mark the 30th anniversary of the 90s boy band who enjoyed immediate success with their first album Take that and Party.

Now they will take Southampton fans on a journey through the band’s musical history, performing all their greatest hits live.

When asked the reasons that made them decide to perform in the city, Mark Owen said: “We are trying to play in places where we have not played before and Southampton is one of these places. People, even Robbie, told us how great it is down there.”

Owen said he has been to St Mary’s Stadium to watch football a few times.

“St Mary’s Stadium always has a great atmosphere. It’s a beautiful stadium,” he added.

Owen said Robbie Williams and Jason Orange, who were originally part of the band, will not perform with the trio in Southampton and will not join the group in next year’s tour.

“Robbie and Jason know they can come any time they want but I don’t think any of them can commit to a tour. They’ve got their own schedule,” Owen added.

Robbie Williams’ departure prompted a break up in 1996 and the other four members reunited for 2005’s The Ultimate Tour.

Williams returned for 2011’s Progress, which saw the band break the record for the fastest selling album of the 21st century and fastest selling tour of all time in the UK. But both Williams and Orange had then left the band.

Take That have now confirmed the release of Odyssey, the album that will feature 27 tracks spanning three decades of their history.

Owen said next year’s tour will be a celebration of their music.

“We are trying to find new ways to perform and express ourselves,” he added.

He said they are expecting to see different generations packing St Mary’s Stadium in May.

“There is a real cross section that comes to our shows and it is wonderful,” Owen added.

In next year’s tour the band will be joined by special guest Rick Astley.

Heidi Isa, from GO!Southampton Business Improvement District, welcomed the news.

She said: “The location of the stadium being so close to the city centre means that restaurants, bars and shops can take advantage of the influx of fans.

“The economic impact of such a high profile event is significant as it also offers us the chance to encourage concert goers to return to Southampton again in the future.”