In The Ultimate Take That Song on Radio 2 (Sunday 1 January 2023, 1-3pm), Never Forget is revealed as Radio 2 listeners’ favourite Take That song following an online vote.

In the live show, hosted by Cat Deeley, Back For Good is announced as the runner-up in second place, Rule the World in third place, with Shine in fourth, and Greatest Day in fifth place.

From Wednesday 23 November, listeners were asked to vote for up to three of their favourite songs taken from Take That’s Top 75 UK chart singles. Voting closed on Wednesday 14 December. The results were compiled for this special show –– with Cat counting down the Top 30 in a pop-filled programme which also features the band in new and archive interviews, plus fans talking about their favourite Take That songs. The programme will also be available on BBC Sounds for 30 days from 3pm (Sunday 1 January).

Cat Deeley says: “What a marvellous result! Never Forget is one of my all-time favourite Take That tunes so I’m especially thrilled to be announcing it as the winner of Radio 2’s listener vote in The Ultimate Take That Song. And what better way to ring in 2023 than by revisiting Take That’s best loved music? It’s a glorious start to the year.”

In the programme, Mark Owen says: “Never Forget would be up there on my list. It’s the arms, it’s the story of the band, it’s always such a special moment when you see it with a crowd because everyone can join in and be a part of it. Howard sings beautifully on this, he does an amazing vocal on it. It just all came together and it was one of the only times where we all sang a line each… it’s a majestic song and beautiful, from the boys choir from the start to the full gospel choir at the end. Never Forget is a journey, it is within the song and it has been for us in our lifetimes.”

In the programme, Gary Barlow says: “[Never Forget] wasn’t born with this huge chorus the way it sounded on the single. Even the demo was quite laidback and it wasn’t until it went to Jim Steinman’s studio in New York that it started to get the drama of something that would end a concert. When it came back from him, I thought, ‘Well, there’s the encore right there’. I could see everyone in the audience singing this song… Within a couple of nights the crowd had got the hang of putting their arms in the air every time you sing a ‘Never’. That is pretty much how we perform it to this day. I don’t believe we’ve ever dared leave it out of a set list once. Why would you? It’s always a real pleasure to perform this song. I’m so glad that people, after all these years, still hold it so close to their hearts, so thank you everyone.”

Jeff Smith, Head of Music, Radio 2 and 6 Music, says: “Take That are one of Radio 2 listeners’ favourite bands, so we’re delighted to treat them to a New Year’s Day sing-along featuring hours of Take That classics, as well as interviews with the band.”

The Top 30, as voted by Radio 2 listeners:

1. Never Forget (Aug, 1995)
2. Back For Good (Apr, 1995)
3. Rule The World (Oct, 2007)
4. Shine (Feb, 2007)
5. Greatest Day (Dec, 2008)
6. A Million Love Songs (Oct, 1992)
7. Patience (Nov, 2006)
8. Pray (Jul, 1993)
9. The Flood (Nov, 2010)
10. Relight My Fire featuring Lulu (Oct, 1993)
11. Could It Be Magic (Dec, 1992)
12. Everything Changes (Apr, 1994)
13. It Only Takes A Minute (Jun, 1992)
14. Babe (Dec, 1993)
15. Said It All (Jun, 2009)
16. These Days (Dec, 2014)
17. How Deep Is Your Love (Mar, 1996)
18. Cry - Sigma feat. Take That (Jun, 2016)
19. Love Ain't Here Anymore (Jul, 1994)
20. Why Can't I Wake Up With You (Feb, 1993)
21. Giants (Mar, 2017)
22. Sure (Oct, 1994)
23. Kidz (Feb, 2011)
24. Up All Night (Feb 2009)
25. I Found Heaven (Aug, 1992)
26. I'd Wait For Life (Jun, 2007)
27. Love Love (May, 2011)
28. Once You've Tasted Love (Feb, 1992)
29. Promises (Nov, 1991)
30. Happy Now (Mar, 2011)

Following this programme on Radio 2 - and available from 30 December on BBC Sounds - are:

Take That at the BBC (3-4pm) which features some of the band’s greatest songs alongside interviews taken from the BBC Archive. The story of one of the UK’s best-loved bands, through highs and lows, break-ups and triumphant returns, told through their hit singles and appearances on BBC Radio and Television. The programme includes footage ranging from Take That’s first appearance on the 8-15 From Manchester, via Top Of The Pops, The O-Zone, live concert backstage interviews, radio and chat show visits, Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne, to Mr Barlow becoming an acclaimed interviewer and specialist presenter himself on Radio 2! Robbie, Mark, Howard, Jason and Gary can be heard in honest conversation, along with their many anthemic songs. A BBC Audio production.

Listeners will also be treated to Robbie Williams: My Life Thru A Lens (5-7pm)with Scott Mills in conversation with his old pal Robbie, talking about 25 years since his debut solo album from its creation to the eventful twists and turns of his career that followed and right up to the present day. The pair’s friendship goes back to when Scott was a fresh new presenter introducing a new boyband called Take That at a local radio roadshow in 90s. Their meteoric rise was followed by their eventual break-up and Robbie’s subsequent solo career which became another meteoric and record-breaking phenomena. Alongside the smash-hit albums and singles, Robbie faced personal struggles with high-profile girlfriends, the record-shattering three nights at Knebworth, then marriage, fatherhood, Kylie, Britney, Elton, The X Factor... they talk about it all! This is the UK’s biggest pop star of the last 30 years as you have never heard him before, opening up to his mate. A Mostest production.

And on BBC Sounds, the Take That celebration continues with a boxset of shows featuring another chance to hear Gary Barlow: We Write the Songs – with Robbie Williams, My Life In A Mixtape: Mark Owen, Talking Take That, R2 In Concert: Take That from 2014 and Radio 2 In Concert: Robbie from 2020.

Take That have performed for Radio 2 in Concert (December 2014) and headlined 2017’s Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park.

BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 14.46 million (RAJAR Q3, 2022), and won Station Of The Year at the Music Week 2021 awards. The network’s presenters include Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Rob Beckett, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Rev. Kate Bottley, Ken Bruce, Rylan, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Gary Davies, Paul Gambaccini, Angela Griffin, Bob Harris, Cerys Matthews, Scott Mills, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Paige, Mark Radcliffe, DJ Spoony, Liza Tarbuck, Jeremy Vine, Michelle Visage, Johnnie Walker, Jo Whiley, Claudia Winkleman and Steve Wright.