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In the usual course of things, I'd have no idea exactly when I fell for a certain fandom. In the case of Take That, however, and thanks to the wonder of LJ, I can track it down to a half hour window. So I can say with complete certainty that it was one year ago today that I fell for TT.

It all started because the lovely

halotolerant posted a link to TT's performance of Kidz at last year's Brits. A performance that I'd seen and really liked, so I responded to her post. And she proceeded to lure me in with a potted history of the band and lovely videos of pretty boys.

It took a little bit to take. Here's Exhibit A, a comment I made just as I was about to go over the precipice:

Oh, the naiveté. Even the Sweetie knows their names now.

But then Halo sent me a link to this video, of Mark Owen singing Back for Good with Robbie Williams at Robbie's big Knebworth gig.

It is not the tightest musical performance ever—they barely rehearsed, and as Halo has pointed out they both sing the harmony bits on the chorus because that's the way they learned it back in the day—but it is utterly delectable. The way Rob looks fondly at Mark, and Mark returns the look with complete adoration, is unbelievable, ground zero for some very lovely slashy thoughts on my part.

And here's my comment after I'd watched the video and my brain had exploded:

I haven't looked back.

To celebrate this fannish anniversary, I thought I'd put together an insanely long pic spam of the pretty British boys and men who make up TT, because they're very pretty. And because I wanted to.

First, some group shots…

'90s Puppy Pile:

Serious Young Men

The boys with Hobbit Hair. Well, everyone but Gary.

You gotta love a band that are totally willing to do a photo shoot on a bed together

Fashion plate boys. I love Mark looking all serious here.

In their time traveller gear from the Kidz video.

Okay, next, have some individual shots of the boys.

I'm not the hugest Gary Barlow fan, but I'm rather fond of his gormless look here:

I have no idea of the context for this, but who can resist Gary and Muppets!

Baby!Robbie and his cheeky grin

Older and with more tattoos, but the grin remains the same.

One of the many reasons I love this band is I can simultaneously indulge in my love of footie and TT.

Jason looking particularly lush.

And here in his steampunk gear.

Going purely by looks, Howard is probably my favourite.

I love this shot, because it's one of those times that his blue eyes are brilliantly piercing.

As usual, I may have gone a bit nuts with the Mark pics. I make no apologies.

Shirtless Baby!Mark.

Shirtless, serious Baby!Mark. On a bed.

Wilderness years era Mark, looking androgynous and gorgeous.

Mark playing footie. (The fact that he's rather good at footie is just icing on a lovely cake.)

Mark in one of his hats. (I love Mark in his hats. Well, except for the one that looks like a dead cat on his head. We shall not speak of that one.)

Mark rehearsing Kidz for the Progress tour. This is probably my all-time favourite pic of Mark. I love the confidence in his stance, and the way it embodies the fightiness that is a large part of why I love him.

Let's end with a few pics of the various pairings in the band, shall we?

While there is literally no combination of the boys that doesn't show up at some point, getting a good Howard/Robbie pic was difficult. This is a scan from the Take One book.

I love the expression on Gary's face as he looks at Howard here.

More Gary/Howard.

Gary and Mark in the '90s, sharing a hot tub. As you do.

Gary and Mark now, still rather adorable together.

Robbie and Gary back in the day.

And Robbie and Gary now, all acrimony forgiven.

Mark sprawled all over Jason in the '90s.

Grown up Mark and Jason looking suave.

Robbie with Jason.

And Robbie and Jason sharing a moment on stage.

Mark and Howard being adorable goofs.

And Howard sprawled all over Mark. (I may have a story near completion inspired by this pic.)

I've posted this before, but I think it bears pulling out again. Howard and Jason. Oh, boys. (Whenever anyone questions the whole RPS thing, this is the pic I pull out. Because just LOOK AT THEM!)