Take That reunion! Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen meet with band founder in Manchester

There was a Take That reunion in Manchester for the band's Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald at the weekend. For the trio were reunited with the man who first put the band together in Manchester 35 years ago.

Nigel Martin-Smith was the mastermind who first auditioned the band in Manchester back in 1989 in a bid to create a British answer to New Kids on The Block. As Take That's manager, he would go on to steer the boyband to huge stardom in the 1990s.

At the weekend he met up with Gary, Mark and Howard at the AO Arena where they have been playing five huge homecoming concerts across this week.

READ MORE: Review: Take That bring the joy at AO Arena after week of chaos for fans

Sharing an image from backstage on social media, Nigel captioned it: "Nice to catch up with some old friends in Manchester last night."

The band's new This Life tour includes an autobiographical section of the show where the trio recall how they, alongside Robbie Williams and Jason Orange, first came to audition to be a part of the band on Manchester's Canal Street.

During the opening night in Manchester, Howard recalled: "Only six lads turned up to the auditions... and five of us made it."

In the backstage shot, Nigel is pictured with Gary, Mark and Howard before they headed out on stage.

Nigel told the MEN of the reunion: "I have as much love and pride for them now as I did all those years ago - and I include Robbie and Jason in that comment".

Nigel still runs Manchester based talent agencies Nemesis Models and Urban Talent Actors in the city.

He said: "The ongoing success of Take That is testimony to the creativity and work ethic of Northen talent and is one of the reasons my agency is so busy running casting sessions for London based