Take That's Mark Owen 'loses 20 years' as fans swoon over new look

Take That's Mark Owen left fans swooning after his appearance on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

The singer, who is known for his youthful looks, appeared to have turned back the clock as he ditched his moustache and long hair for a '90s curtains hairstyle - reminiscent of his early days with the band.

The band kicked off Ant and Dec's ITV show with a performance of their hit single Shine on Saturday evening, 6 April. In recent appearances, Mark, 52, has divided fans with his more relaxed, hippy-style long hair.

The band has just released their latest album, This Life, which was recorded in Nashville. Mark has had a rollercoaster life, including a battle with alcohol addiction and multiple affairs, despite the band's huge success over the past 33 years.

One fan took to social media to comment that the Take That singer was "aging backwards": "Gorgeous man @OfficialMarkO. He's suddenly aged backwards, markie please keep this look! ".

Another fan wrote: "Mark Owen is taking me back to my youth after ditching that god awful moustache and growing back his curtains. And I'm here for it.", reports Wales Online.

A third added: "B****y ell Mark Owen looks 30 years younger," while another said: "Mark Owen having a shave and getting a hair cut has taken about 20 years off him."

One fan simply wrote: "Mark Owen still so cute."

Earlier in the show, Gary Barlow expressed to hosts Ant and Dec his desire to "strip" the TV performance back: "We're going on tour next week it's a big production...we thought for the end of the show let's strip it right back."

The hosts weren't keen on this idea, and expressed their intention to disregard it. Then Mark chimed in, in agreement with his bandmate stating, "I think we'll keep it stripped back like Gary said."

The musical group, consisting of Gary, Mark and Howard Donald did indeed end the show with a digested song, however without the shared stage presence of Ant and Dec that viewers are accustomed to.

A disappointed viewer voiced their thoughts on it: "Super disappointed by that end of the show, show. Far better when they are properly part of the act and its full of energy."

There had earlier been chaos behind the scenes after Stephen Mulhern was forced to pull out of the show due to illness and was reportedly replaced by Jordan North.