Boybands have been delighting teenage girls – and women old enough to know better – since the 1960s. While the likes of The Wanted and One Direction provide suitably fresh new faces, the recent years' boy band renaissance has been marked by the return of its juggernauts – some more successful than others. We take a look at the rise, fall and return of the biggest boy bands in history…
The Monkees
The 'pre fab four', assembled in 1966 for an eponymous TV series, announced early 2011 that they were to reform for a 45th anniversary tour.
The Monkees, as they were
No sex, drugs and rock'n'roll for these boys, The Monkees - (l-r) Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz - epitomised the squeaky clean b
Duran Duran
The New Wave band formed in Birmingham in 1978. The group has never really disbanded but tend to enjoy brief resurgences with album releases.
Duran Duran, as they were
The hair, the forearms, the multi-functional scarves...
Backstreet Boys
Backstreet's back... again.
Backstreet Boys, as they were
Ahh, the 'reach to camera' - a staple Backstreet pose. Here are the boys - (l-r) Howie Dorough, A. J.
Backstreet Boys and New Kids On The Block
An obvious segue into our next boy band, here are the aforementioned Backstreet Boys with New Kids On The Block under their moniker NKOTBSB.
New Kids On The Block, as they are
Now in their late 30s and early 40s, the 'kids' - (l-r) Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight and Jonathan Knight - aren't
New Kids On The Block, as they were
Bum bags - they got it; thumbs in pockets - they got it; boardshorts - they got it.
Blue
Blue formed in 2001 and split in 2005, supposedly after Elton John suggested that - with success waning - they should concentrate on solo careers.
Blue, as they were
Not a lot has changed in a decade - the boys (l-r) Duncan James, Simon Webbe, Anthony Costa and Lee Ryan - have updated their look to meet the contemporary, tailored boyb
Take That
Probably the most anticipated and successful reunion, Take That have set the precedent for boyband returns.
Take That, as they were
These days the band's image is much sharper and more sophisticated. But let's just pretend that under those tailored layers they still wear these boxers.
Boyzone
The Irish boy band was formed in 1993 by Louis Walsh and disbanded in 2000. Lead singer Ronan Keating enjoyed solo success and in 2007 the group reformed.
Boyzone, as they were
Hmm, the pallbearer look was big (literally) in Ireland. Presumably Louis Walsh followed the school mum rule that 'they'll grow into their outfits.'
Westlife
While other boybands have been and gone - and sometimes returned - Westlife never went away.
Westlife, as they were
Ahh, look at the fresh faces and daggy attire of (l-r) Kian Egan, Bryan McFadden, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan and Mark Feehily.