It’s been an agonising wait of 15 years – and last night thousands of Take That fans finally saw their idols return to the stage as a five-piece at a knockout gig at Villa Park.

Excitement which had been building up around the stadium for days finally reached fever pitch at 5pm as the gates were opened and the  crowds flooded in.

With many donning Take That T-shirts and carrying banners – some with some rather lewd suggestions – die-hard devotees descended on the ground.

Some fans were young, but most were older – the ones who followed the group the first time round, travelling across the country to see them perform and gazing at their posters on the bedroom wall during the 1990s.

They all had one common dream, to watch the original line-up together once again.

Former Villa star and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson was in the crowd with his wife and daughter. He said: “It’s fantastic to have the band back together here. I have seen them before when I took my little sister to watch them but that was a long time ago.”

Many were keen to see the historic moment Robbie would reunite with his band mates.

Husband and wife Wayne, aged 30, and Carly Townsend from Stour Lane, Bilston along with friends Amy Lem and Gemma Dawson of Ivy House Lane, Coseley, travelled to the ground together along with Mr Townsend’s mum Kath Townsend, 55, of Shipton Close Dudley.

Mr Townsend said: “We were just so pleased to see Robbie back. I have seen him about four times. He is the ultimate entertainer and always puts on a fantastic show. We have been fans for years and were so excited to have them at Villa Park.”

Mrs Townsend added: “I love a lot of the older music but I do like Kids. I think that is my favourite song. “

Donna Causer, 26 of Pheasey, Great Barr, said: “The show was amazing. The best I have ever been to. Robbie was his cheeky self. I would definitely see them again, and the rain didn’t spoil it.”

Sandra Calder, aged 62 of Kingsway, Stourbridge, went to Villa Park with her daughters Michelle Bowler, aged 39, Chris Westwood, aged 43 and her daughter-in-law Hannah Calder, aged,32.

Hannah of Richardson Drive, Stourbridge said: “I have been a fan for more than 20 years. I am a bit obsessed. I love everything about them. My favourites are Mark and Jason. I used to love Mark best but now I am more of a Jason fan.”

Sandra added she liked Take That but was more keen to see the support act the Pet Shop Boys. She said: “They are always fantastic.”

Clare Smith, aged 37, from Poplar Crescent, Dudley, and Elaine Williamson, aged 58, of Foxhills Park, Netherton, met whilst working for the heating firm Ambirad and both went to see Take That’s Circus tour in Coventry. Clare said: “I was one of those teenagers who had posters plastered all over my room, and I cried when Robbie left.

“It was like a new start when they got back together, and they were amazing. It’s even better now that they are all together. I love Angels and my favourite song they do together is Shine. They are awesome. Take That are back.”

Linda Thompson, aged 59, and her daughter Lisa, aged 26, of Kingswinford both had T-shirts specially made for the Villa Park show. Linda said: “I used to have to take Lisa to the shows when she was young, so by taking her I got into them myself.”

Lisa who works as a teaching assistant added: “It’s a bit of a tradition now for us to go together. I wouldn’t go with anyone else.”

The accounts clerk added: “Lisa was and is just crazy about them. She even had a Mark Owen doll at one point.”

After finishing off a storming set with Eight Letters, the band made a quick escape from the stadium before taken by police escort to New Hall Hotel & Spa in Sutton Coldfield where around a dozen die-hard fans awaited their arrival.

However, they had to make do with screaming and waving at their heroes as the five vehicles carrying the group were driven down the private driveway to the exclusive 60-bedroom hotel.

Three fans, who will see the band perform at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, were the first on the scene – taking up their places about an hour before the band arrived.

Lucy Caddick, aged 32, of Jews Lane, Upper Gornal, said: “I saw them at Himley Hall, before they were really famous, at the Beacon Radio Roadshow. I’ve been to see them three times. They are gorgeous.”

Kerry Ferguson, 34, of The Crucible, Coseley, a teacher Red Hall Primary in Lower Gornal said: “I’ve been a fan since they first started and have seen them about four times.

“I love Never Forget, it gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. I love Gary. He’s gotten really sexy with age.”