Tribute act relight the fire

They may not be the real deal, but a boisterous capacity crowd at Wolverhampton's Goodyear Pavilion screamed nonetheless when a Take That tribute band stepped out on to the stage.

The audience, comprising mostly of women and a few husbands, danced and sang along as foursome Take That and Party performed some of the boy band's biggest hits. As the ladies abandoned their tables and sometimes their shoes to take to the dancefloor, no-one seemed to care that it wasn't the real Gary, Jason, Mark and Howard.

The Black Country based tribute act also perform as Westlife and Boyzone but say taking to the stage as Take That takes up around 70 per cent of their work, which can see them performing anything between three and five gigs a week across the nation.

The current line-up of Lee Aldridge, 22, from Blackheath, Phil Richards, 25, and James Catalano, 26, both from Coseley, and Robert Glenn, aged 27, from Kings Norton, formed eight months ago.

And with managing other acts such as a Spice Girls tribute, music is a full-time career.

James won through to the last 100 of the TV reality show Popstars in 2001 and also beat off thousands to appear on the X Factor where he made it through to the final 14 bands on the series before last with bandmate Robert. James said: "We got together shortly after Take That successfully reformed and it was heaven sent for us – we think they are a great band and are by far the most popular act we get booked for."

Elaine Roberts, aged 42, from Codsall, went to the show for her friend Karen Oare's birthday.

She said: "People like coming along to tribute shows because you know all the words to the songs and so everyone can get involved."

Shiona Connolly, aged 34, from Wednesfield, went with some of her old schoolfriends and had a great time.

Karen Moss, aged 27, from Penn, added: "Seeing a band can be quite expensive and although these aren't the real thing, I thought they were pretty good and decent singers so you can have a good night out for a lot less."

Stephanie Corrigan, aged 31, from Pendeford, said: "It was a good night out and the chance to get together with friends rather than do something like clubbing."