Take That: The BRITs will be big!

Take That are planning "a big surprise" for their BRITs performance.

The UK group are getting used to being a three-piece following the departure of Jason Orange last year. Now Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald are going to show what they're made of by taking to the stage at the BRIT Awards on February 25.

"We know what a big deal performing at the BRITs is, so we are definitely planning something special at the moment," Gary told British newspaper The Sun.

"We haven't decided exactly what yet but we're thinking about some sort of collaboration or a big surprise."

The group released their seventh record III in November, so it's likely they will give a rendition of at least one of its songs. It's thought Let in the Sun could be one of the options because it's expected to be the third single from the album.

Take That aren't in the running for any prizes at the ceremony, but they have triumphed eight times in the past.

"It's too early to say exactly what they'll do but if you look at the last two times they performed they stole the show," an insider explained.

"There were riot shields in 2011 and a UFO from the ceiling the time before that."

BRITs bosses are going all out with the entertainment this year, with Taylor Swift, Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran all slated to perform. It's already a good year for Sam and Ed, who bagged five and four nominations apiece.

There are also rumours Madonna could be gracing the stage with her presence. She has already confirmed her Grammys performance on February 8 and is said to want to push her new record Rebel Heart over awards season.

"Madonna wants to perform to the biggest number of people for the maximum impact and there's no better place for a controversy-filled Madonna performance than the BRITs," a source told UK newspaper The Mirror last week.

"She has cleared her diary for the BRITs. She knows she needs to really entertain and bring a good show because she'll want to be the talking point."