Manic Street Preacher Nicky Wire has professed his love for Take That saying their track 'Patience' is “the greatest comeback single in history.”

In an interview with The Guardian, Wire was asked to name one song that inspires him and he duly put forward Take That's 2006 single 'Patience'.

Enthusing about it, the 40-year-old said: “This is not an ironic choice. It's the greatest comeback single in history. If Neil Young had written it, people would be calling it a masterpiece.

“I've always liked Take That, too. They looked so brilliant back in the day and did everything right, but this is something else.”

Wire went on to praise the “dark” lyrical content of the song before hailing Gary Barlow as a “genius.”

He even admitted that he was close to losing it after Alex Turner berated Take That at an awards ceremony.

“When Alex Turner slagged off Take That at the 2006 Q awards for getting an award, I nearly lost it. James (Dean Bradfield) was grabbing me by the arm, saying: 'Don't lose it, Nicky.'

“You get so many alternative bands banging on about how to make perfect pop, and this kicks all their arses,” he explained.

(by Scott Colothan)