Take That! They billed themselves as Britain’s oldest boy band with a total age of 336 years but it was no illusion when Sweet Illusion stormed the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, last night (Friday Feb 10).

When many men are happy to settle down to watch TV in their slippers, the once- famous five put themselves through a punishing rehearsal routine to prepare for their long-awaited sell-out reunion show.

For 18 years the lads entertained at the county’s top venues including Greenways at Wrotham, the Royal Star Hotel in Maidstone, Gravesend’s Woodville Halls and the Elizabethan Barn at Tunbridge Wells.

They played London’s posh Hilton, Savoy, Claridges, Park Lane and Grosvenor hotels and even had gigs at the Royal Albert Hall. They toured the world, performing in Borneo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Muscat, Belize, Northern Ireland, Holland and Germany before disbanding.

Now, 25 years later, they returned to their old stomping ground with two backing singers, a three-piece brass section, spectacular light show and throbbing sound system.

The bash, mainly bankrolled by lead singer and businessman Paul Washington, cost thousands to stage and the whole show was videoed. But Paul said: “This was never about the money. It was something we all wanted to do for old times’ sake. We wanted to make it special, to show our grandchildren what their granddads used to do.”

Former fans heard about the concert on social media and travelled from Cambridge, Cornwall, Southern Ireland, Portugal, Warsaw and even Perth, Australia.

Paul added: “We were thrilled by the response and delighted to see so many old friends in the audience. It was a big gamble. We put our money where our mouth is to hire the venue to see if there was still a demand for a band like us.”

After the marathon three-hour show the lads climbed down from the stage to chat to virtually everyone and were instantly mobbed. Paul, 67, joked: “If there are any groupies here tonight just leave your Zimmer frames by the door.”

It had been 35 years since this particular line-up was together. It featured original lead guitarist Ray Charsley, 69, who flew in from Portugal; the silver-haired Clive Sayer, 69, from Tonbridge on bass, Terry Brown, 65, on keyboards and Alan Jiggens, 66, on drums. Guitarist Adrian Orrom, the baby of the band at 46, is the newest recruit.

Paul recalled: “When we were on the road it just washed over us. We didn’t give it a second thought that we were on the same bill as bands like the Stylistics, The Searchers, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Freddie and the Dreamers and Odyssey or supporting acts like Bob Monkhouse, Cilla Black, Paul Daniels or Jim Davidson. We didn’t realise how lucky we were.”

They rolled away the years opening with Got To Get You Into My Life and strolled through two sets including a Mamas and Papas medley, a series of Abba songs, Stevie Wonder’s Sir Duke, a brilliant version of Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street featuring Clive on vocals, Dire Strait’s Walk of Life and Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen.

The highlight was a spectacular version of ELO’s Mr Blue Sky to finish the first set. Other favourites included Blues Brothers’ tracks and a disco segment featuring Kool and the Gang’s Celebration.

All came with superb harmonies and top-rate musicianship as fans pushed back tables to dance while others watched the whole spectacle from the comfort of the balcony.

Will the lads do it again? “We’d love to,” said Paul. The boys are back.