Editing Rick Wakeman (section)

===1998–2008: ''Return to the Centre of the Earth'', English Rock Ensemble revival, and final Yes run===
In 1998, he started work on ''[[Return to the Centre of the Earth]]'', a sequel album to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth''. The idea first came to Wakeman in 1991 during a tour of Italy, which led to discussions about the project with [[Atlantic Records]] that year about a re-recording of the original album with new equipment and arrangements, but the idea was rejected. It was revived in 1996 when Wakeman received offers from three record companies willing to fund and release a new "epic" album.<ref name=1999interview>{{cite web|url=http://yesmuseum.org/WakeView1.html|title=Rick Wakeman – Interview – Madrid, {{sic|21th|nolink=y}} April 1999|publisher=YesMuseum.org|date=21 April 1999|access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref> After a deal with [[EMI Classics]] was made, a story based on three unnamed travellers and their attempt to follow the original route was finalised, and recording began in 1998 with a band, the [[London Symphony Orchestra]], the [[English Chamber Choir]], [[Patrick Stewart]] as the narrator, and guest performances from [[Trevor Rabin]], [[Ozzy Osbourne]], and [[Bonnie Tyler]].<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Return to the Centre of the Earth|publisher=EMI Classics|id=724355676320|year=1999}}</ref> Released in 1999, the album went to number 34 in the UK, Wakeman's first album to enter the chart in 12 years. Recording was temporarily disrupted because of Wakeman's health.<ref name=mirrorhealth/>{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=279}}{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=284}} In December 1998, Wakeman was featured on an episode of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]''.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=278}}

Wakeman accepted an invitation to revive his English Rock Ensemble for a South American tour in September 2000, following a renewed interest in [[progressive rock]] there.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=284}} The band featured a new line-up of Fernandez, [[Damian Wilson]] on vocals, [[Adam Wakeman]] on keyboards, Ant Glynne on guitar, and Lee Pomeroy on bass. Wakeman was particularly pleased with his playing, calling it his "best in a long time."{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=285}} The group returned in April 2001, followed by several European dates. Later that year, Wakeman entered discussions with [[Keith Emerson]] regarding a potential music project, but the idea was shelved.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=284}} In 2001, Wakeman performed in his first [[pantomime]] role as [[Abanazar (pantomime)|Abanazar]] in a production of ''[[Aladdin]]'' in [[Truro]], for the Christmas season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uktw.co.uk/archive/Truro/Hall-for-Cornwall/Panto/Aladdin/L1020075473/|title=Truro – Hall for Cornwall – Aladdin|publisher=UK Theatre Web|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> He made a cameo appearance in the 2002 thriller horror film ''Alone'' as a hospital patient.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/alone-v261971/review|title=Alone (2002)|publisher=AllMovie|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> In 2003, Wakeman starred in the BBC television show ''[[Grumpy Old Men (TV series)|Grumpy Old Men]]'', and stayed on as a regular until the show ended in 2006. The show increased his national profile and made him a regular in the after dinner speech circuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-50911220100818|title=Interview – Grumpy Old Rocker Rick Wakeman Changes Tack|first=Jeremy|last=Gaunt|publisher=Reuters|date=18 August 2010|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref>

In April 2002, Wakeman rejoined Yes for the fifth and final time, and said it took eight months to get the necessary paperwork to make it happen.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=284}}{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=285}} The band toured worldwide with the [[List of Yes concert tours (2000s–10s)#Full Circle Tour|Full Circle Tour]] and [[List of Yes concert tours (2000s–10s)#35th Anniversary Tour|35th Anniversary Tours]], which ran from 2002 to 2004. Wakeman described the band's playing during his return: "It was far and away the best the band had ever been ... there was no staleness, there was a lot of freshness."<ref name=gloucester2015>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/marriages-rock-star-past-grumpy-old-man-Rick/story-26253354-detail/story.html|title=Four marriages, a rock star past an being a grumpy old man – Rick Wakeman opens up to Weekend|date=30 March 2015|first=Corrie|last=Bond-French|work=Gloucestershire Echo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814024847/http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/marriages-rock-star-past-grumpy-old-man-Rick/story-26253354-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> The only new studio material worked on during this time were bonus tracks on ''[[The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection]]''. After the 2004 tour Yes entered a four-year hiatus, during which Wakeman retired from large scale tours following ongoing health problems.<ref name=WT08>{{cite web|url=https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/leisure/wtimesleisuretheatre/2271647.rick-wakemans-grumpy-old-picture-show/|title=Rick Wakeman's Grumpy Old Picture Show|date=14 May 2008|work=Wiltshire Times|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> When the band regrouped in 2008, Wakeman's son [[Oliver Wakeman|Oliver]] replaced him on keyboards.

In April 2005, Wakeman and his band performed three shows in [[Havana]], Cuba, including an outdoor show attended by an estimated 10,000 people. They came about after Wakeman was offered to perform there to support a charitable foundation that supports a children's cancer hospital. The first two shows were filmed and released as ''Made in Cuba'', proceeds from which were given to the hospital.<ref name=ASSIST05>{{cite news|title=Rick Wakeman brings his 'healing music' to Cuba as fans go wild|first=Dan|last=Wooding|date=July 2005|publisher=ASSIST News}}</ref> Cuban leader [[Fidel Castro]] greeted Wakeman, thanking him for his humanitarian support.<ref name=ASSIST05/> Wakeman received some criticism following the visit, which upset him personally and made him consider retiring from live performance. He addressed the false accusations on his website, clarifying that the visit was not staged for political reasons.<ref name=ASSIST05/> Wakeman later revealed that Castro gave him some earth surrounding [[Che Guevara]]'s grave.<ref name=guardian2014/>

In June 2006, Wakeman toured the US with a solo piano tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newtownbee.com/02242006/rick-wakeman-is-no-yes-man-on-his-grand-piano-tour/|title=Rick Wakeman Is No 'Yes Man' On His Grand Piano Tour|first=John|last=Voket|date=24 February 2006|publisher=The Newton Bee|access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref> This was followed by a performance of ''Return to the Centre of the Earth'' with his band, orchestra, and choir in Quebec, Canada. The show featured [[Jon Anderson]] as a guest performer, which led to the pair touring the UK together as Anderson/Wakeman.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=290}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/965573.yes-duo-roll-back-the-years/|title=Yes duo roll back the years|date=12 October 2006|first=Chris|last=Groom|work=Harrow Times|access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref> Wakeman scored the 2007 documentary film ''In Search of the Great Beast 666'', about the life of occultist [[Aleister Crowley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreadytorock.com/10questions/rick_wakeman2.htm|title=10 Questions: Rick Wakeman|date=August 2007|first=Jason|last=Ritchie|publisher=Get Ready to Rock|access-date=22 September 2024}}</ref> He toured the UK in 2007 with a new production, the Grumpy Old Picture Show. Inspired by his appearances on ''Grumpy Old Men'', the show combined live performances and stories with visual accompaniments including old photos and pre-recorded sketches. The initial run of 14 dates were so successful, Wakeman completed a further 24 dates in the following year.<ref name=WT08/>