ITV Bags Take That

15/11/2007

ITV1 is producing a new show for New Year's Eve, broadcasting a live show from London’s O2 Arena with Take That as the headline act. The Sugababes and other musical acts will also perform.

For those who are not able to leave their homes on New Year’s Eve, the party will be brought to their TV screens. ITV1 is to broadcast what is being billed as a "spectacular show". Take That will perform an array of hits from their early days through to their most recent album. The band will then host the countdown to 2008.

After a difficult year for ITV, the broadcaster is hoping their New Year’s Eve spectacular will signal a brighter 2008. Earlier this year, ITV and other channels were humiliated by the revelation that a number of their phone-in competitions had been operating illegally, charging people for entries when the winners had already been selected.

ITV’s Guy Freeman said: "This event solves one of the biggest conundrums of the year – what to do on New Year’s Eve. For us to persuade Mark, Howard, Gary and Jason to welcome in 2008 for our viewers is just fantastic and we look forward to presenting an unforgettable night with them and their special guests The Sugababes."