A capacity crowd witnessed history in the making last night as Robbie Williams rejoined Take That in Sunderland for the opening night of their Progress Tour. KAREN WESTCOTT reports.

THERE were two towering statues, fireworks, shooting flames and even cascading water, but in the end all they really wanted to see - and sing along with - was Take That.

In one of the most eagerly anticipated shows for decades, Robbie Williams reunited with Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald to leave 54,654 screaming fans baying for more in this Stadium of Light spectacular.

Fans fortunate enough to witness Take That's Circus Tour - which also kicked off in Sunderland in 2009 - were adamant last night had eclipsed even that.

The North-East crowd were left in no doubt that the show - the first of four at the Stadium of Light - was the place to be.

By the end of the UK leg of the Progress Tour - the first since 1995 to feature Williams - the band will have played to around 1.5m people.

The four regular Take That members made an undramatic entrance on stage at 8.30pm but as the night wore on the show became more and more awesome.

Bursting into song, they instantly had everyone on their feet, singing every word of every song for the rest of the night.

They began with Rule The World, and their initial five song set included Greatest Day and Shine.

"Sunderland this could be the greatest night of our life", said Gary. "It's brilliant to be here."

They left the stage and the crowd - consisting of children, parents grandparents and largely 40 somethings - chanted for Robbie.

He emerged from a giant screen and shouted: "Sunderland can you feel me. It's fantastic to be back on stage. The last time was 2006."

He launched into Let Me Entertain You and after completing five songs he was joined by the others. Then together, once more, Take That entertained with both old favourites and songs from the new Progress album.

One of the highlights was Relight My Fire.

The set was incredible - with one of the giant statues steadily moving out from the stage into the centre of the arena as the show progressed - arms outstretched, almost like the Angel of the North.

Grown women, complete with face paint, deeley boppers, banners and feather boas came close to tears and screamed like teenagers.

Tracey Jones, 40, from the Eastbourne area of Darlington, had queued in the snow in the early hours back in November when the tickets went on sale.

"I did not think the Circus Tour could be bettered but this is brilliant. It's completely different , you can't compare it," she added. "Robbie's presence was fantastic."

Abbie Bell, 12 of Haughton, Darlington, was with her nanna Caroline King, 57, who lives near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

Of the 30 children in Abbie's class at Longfield School, 20 have tickets to see one of Take That's Sunderland shows.

"It's absolutely fabulous. I think Robbie Williams singing has been the best bit so far," said Abbie." I totally love Angels."

Julie Mather, 49, a nurse, of Aycliffe Village, said: "It's spine tingling. I can't speak, I'm speechless."

And Eileen Lee, 43, from Hexham, admitted that this was her first ever concert.

"Wow what a concert to be at," she added. "Robbie and Take That on one stage is amazing."