MARK Owen’s teenage days may be far behind him now that he is 41 years old.

But judging by the long queue which snaked from the entrance of The Ritz beyond the Palace Theatre, the pop star’s original fan base has stayed right by him.

Mark returned to Manchester for the end of his UK tour following the release of The Art of Doing Nothing, his fourth solo album.

Despite always being one of Take That’s biggest heartthrobs back in the day and with a Celebrity Big Brother win under his belt, his solo career never seemed to reap the success his band mates Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams have achieved.

Unlike Robbie he had not sold out The Etihad Stadium or had a circus of mechanical animals like Take That’s stadium tour.

But he had an intimate venue complete with adoring fans and numerous men who pretended they had been dragged along.

It was evident Mark had stepped out of his comfort zone as he stood alone with just a nodding “lucky” Chinese gold cat, which rested on his keyboard, for support.

I should point out I am a die-hard fan of “the boys” and have been to all of their comeback concerts. Yes I admitted to being one of those fans who has awaited for stadium doors to open to get near to the front and waved my camera phone adoringly at Gary Barlow on his solo tour.

And there is no denying that the majority of the audience had been on the Take That bandwagon for many years.

But that should not minimise the validity of the Oldham singer’s entertaining pop performance – after all he was not ever the member I had pinned on my wall.

Take That hits Shine, Up All Night and Rule the World with his unique own twist were thrown into the set list and had the crowd reciting every word.

Old classics Clementine and Four Minute Warning were definite highlights for me. Despite not really liking the songs at the time they were released it was frankly amazing to hear them more than 15 years after they were released.

His new hits, although unfamiliar for the crowd, were certainly catchy and had the potential to reach the top half of the charts.

For those sandwiched in The Ritz it was an evening we all hoped would be repeated – but hopefully after the band reunites for another tour.

The Art of Doing Nothing is out now, along with first single Stars.