Robbie Williams#Concerts

Robert Peter Williams was born on 13 February 1974 in Stoke-on-Trent, the son of Janet (née Farrell) and Peter Williams (also known as Pete Conway), who ran a pub called the Red Lion in Burslem before becoming the licensee at the Port Vale Social Club.{{cite book |last=Sherwin |first=Phil |title=The Port Vale Miscellany |publisher=The History Press |location=Brimscombe Port |year=2010 |page=10 |isbn=978-0-7524-5777-2}} His maternal grandfather was an Irishman from Kilkenny.{{cite web |url=http://kclr96fm.com/news/robbie-williams-grandfather-came-from-kilkenny/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915121421/http://kclr96fm.com/news/robbie-williams-grandfather-came-from-kilkenny/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 September 2012 |title=Robbie Williams grandfather came from Kilkenny |publisher=KCLR96FM |date=12 September 2012 |access-date=28 June 2013}} He attended St Margaret Ward Catholic School in Tunstall{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Robbie-doing-kids-awards/article-339261-detail/article.html |title=Robbie doing it for the kids with awards |date=19 September 2008 |newspaper=The Sentinel |access-date=8 August 2010}} and participated in several school plays, most notably in the role of the Artful Dodger in a production of Oliver!{{Cite web |date=2010-04-10 |title=Robbie Williams: The ego has flown |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/lifestyle/robbie-williams-the-ego-has-flown/VECR2LADHLTE7PMW7ML5IW6YVE/?c_id=1503444&objectid=11004700 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=The Northern Advocate |language=en-NZ}}

{{main|Take That}}

In 1990, the sixteen-year-old Williams was the youngest member to join Take That. According to the documentary Take That: For the Record, his mother read an advertisement seeking members for a new boy band and suggested that he try out for the group. He met fellow member Mark Owen on the day of his audition/interview with Nigel Martin-Smith. Although the majority of the group's material was written and performed by Gary Barlow, Williams performed lead vocals on three hits "Could It Be Magic", "I Found Heaven", and "Everything Changes". Williams' use of alcohol and cocaine brought him into conflict with Martin-Smith over the behaviour rules for Take That members.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1479447/Robbie-Drugs-gave-me-best-times-of-my-life.html "Robbie: 'Drugs gave me best times of my life']. The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 June 2018

In November 1994, Williams's drug use had escalated; he nearly had a drug overdose the night before the group was scheduled to perform at the MTV Europe Music Awards.{{cite web|title=Robbie Williams early career|url=http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Williams,_Robbie/Biography/|work=Discographies, biographies, news|publisher=StarPulse.com|access-date=19 March 2013|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221831/http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Williams,_Robbie/Biography/|url-status=dead}} According to the documentary For the Record, he was unhappy with his musical ideas not being taken seriously by Martin-Smith and lead singer Barlow; his desire to explore hip hop and rap conflicted with Take That's usual ballads. Barlow stated in interviews that Williams had given up trying to offer creative input.

Noting Williams's increasingly belligerent behaviour and poor attendance at rehearsals, and worried that he might leave the group during their upcoming tour, Barlow and Jason Orange took their concerns to Martin-Smith. During one of the last rehearsals before the tour commenced, the three confronted Williams about his attitude and stated they wanted to do the tour without him. He agreed to quit and left the group in July 1995; it would be the last time for twelve years that they were all together. Despite the departure of Williams, Take That completed their Nobody Else Tour as a four-piece. They later disbanded on 13 February 1996, Williams's 22nd birthday.{{Cite news |last=Wynne-Jones |first=Ros |date=1996-02-14 |title=Broken promises as Take That can take no more |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/broken-promises-as-take-that-can-take-no-more-1318879.html |access-date=2025-03-11 |work=The Independent}}

Shortly afterwards, Williams was photographed by the press partying with the members of Oasis at Glastonbury Festival. Following his departure, he became the subject of talk shows and newspapers as he acknowledged his plans to become a solo singer, and he was spotted partying with George Michael in France. A clause in his Take That contract prohibited him from releasing any material until after the group was officially dissolved, and he was later sued by Martin-Smith and forced to pay $200,000 in commission. After various legal battles over his right to a solo career, Williams succeeded in getting released from his contract with BMG. On 27 June 1996, he signed with Chrysalis Records.

File:Robbie Williams at Sunderland 2011a crop.jpg tour in 2011. He rejoined the group in July 2010 and has said he is open to another reunion in the future.]]

By March 2009, Williams had shown interest in rejoining Take That;{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5058174/Robbie-Williams-ready-to-rejoin-Take-That.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401165545/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5058174/Robbie-Williams-ready-to-rejoin-Take-That.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 April 2009 |title=Robbie Williams ready to rejoin Take That|work=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 March 2009 |access-date=23 December 2009 | location=London}} the band completed their tour, The Circus Live, without him. In spite of rumours that Williams was working in New York with Take That in September that year,{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/robbie-williams/47535 |title=Robbie Williams and Take That reunite in New York studio? | News |publisher=Nme.Com |date=28 September 2009 |access-date=24 April 2014}} by the day of the Children in Need charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in November they were still performing separately. Both did join with the other acts in the final song of the evening, with Williams putting his arm around Gary Barlow and singing "Hey Jude".

On 15 July 2010, Williams reconciled with his former colleagues and rejoined Take That. In November 2010 the Take That album Progress was released, becoming the fastest selling album since 2000 and the second fastest selling album in UK history.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/interviews/Take_That |title=Take That Interview | Student Pocket Guide Online |publisher=Thestudentpocketguide.com |access-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930032541/http://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/interviews/Take_That |archive-date=30 September 2011}} The group travelled across the UK on their Progress Live tour, which included eight nights at Wembley Stadium in London,{{cite web|url=http://www.wembleystadium.com/pressbox/pressReleases/take-that-sold-out |title=Wembley Stadium – Press Releases |access-date=6 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228171126/http://www.wembleystadium.com/pressbox/pressReleases/take-that-sold-out |archive-date=28 December 2010}} then continued across Europe. The tour was the fastest selling in UK history with ticket hotlines and websites crashing under the demand.

In August 2012, Take That performed at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics. Williams was due to perform with Take That but missed the performance because his wife gave birth at around the same time; the group performed as a four-piece.{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Martinovic|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a386293/take-that-george-michael-to-feature-in-london-2012-closing-ceremony.html |title=Take That, George Michael to feature in London 2012 closing ceremony|website=Digital Spy |date=9 June 2012 }}

Although still officially part of Take That,{{Cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2017/0319/860909-barlow/|title=Barlow says Robbie can return to Take That any time|date=19 March 2017|work=RTE.ie|access-date=20 May 2018|language=en}} Williams chose not to return for group's seventh and eighth studio albums and their accompanying tours, focusing instead on his solo commitments. He continued to write music with his colleagues and has performed with the group on several occasions since 2011's Progress tour{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37907388|title=Take That join Robbie at Brits gig|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=8 November 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=20 May 2018|language=en-GB}} and planned to return for a full tour to celebrate Take That's 30th anniversary in 2019.{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/lorraine/news/a845330/robbie-williams-take-that-reunion-details-wrong/|title=Robbie reveals he got Take That reunion details wrong|date=13 December 2017|work=Digital Spy|access-date=20 May 2018|language=en}}

{{Main|Life thru a Lens|I've Been Expecting You}}

Williams launched his solo career in 1996 with a cover of George Michael's "Freedom", which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.8notes.com/biographies/robbie_williams.asp |title=Robbie Williams |publisher=8notes.com |access-date=23 December 2009}} Recordings for Williams's first album began at London's Maison Rouge studios in March 1997. Shortly after his introduction to songwriter and producer Guy Chambers, Williams released "Old Before I Die", the first single from his debut album. The single reached number two on the UK Charts; it was largely ignored on international charts. His debut album, Life thru a Lens, was released in September 1997. The album launched with his first live solo gig at the Élysée Montmartre theatre in Paris, France. The album debuted at number eleven on the UK Albums Chart.

"Angels", the fourth single, is Williams' best-seller in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=27952 |title=Award Certification for "Angels" |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080103043315/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=27952 |archive-date = 3 January 2008}} The song, apart from becoming a hit around Europe and Latin America, caused sales of his album to skyrocket. The album remained in the British top ten for forty weeks and spent 218 weeks there altogether, making it the 58th best selling album in UK history with sales of over 2.4 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=30745 |title=Award Certification for 'Life Thru A Lens' |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231042816/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=30745 |archive-date = 31 December 2007}} The album eventually managed to sell over three million copies in Europe.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2002.html |title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2002 |publisher=IFPI |year=2002 |access-date=29 November 2008 |archive-date=20 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320014141/http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2002.html |url-status=dead }}

Williams and Chambers started writing the second album, I've Been Expecting You, in Jamaica in early 1998. The first single, "Millennium", accompanied with a music video featuring Williams parodying James Bond, complete with tuxedo and references to Bond films like Thunderball and From Russia with Love, became Williams' first solo number one single in the United Kingdom. It also became a top twenty hit in many European countries, Latin America and Australia.{{cite web |title=Robbie Williams – Millennium |publisher=GfK Dutch Charts |url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Robbie+Williams&titel=Millennium&cat=s |access-date=17 December 2015}}

I've Been Expecting You was released in late October 1998 and debuted at number one in the UK Albums Chart.{{cite web |url=http://www.everyhit.com/ |title=UK Top 40 Database |publisher=everyhit.com |access-date=17 December 2015}} The album received more attention outside the United Kingdom, leaving its mark in the European and Latin American markets with hits such as "No Regrets", a collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys' singer Neil Tennant and the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon. "She's the One", a cover of a World Party track written by Karl Wallinger, became Williams' second UK number-one single. Williams finished the year with a European Tour late in 1999. I've Been Expecting You sold almost 3 million copies in the UK and was certified 10× Platinum by the BPI.{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=31787 |title=Award Certification for "I've Been Expecting You" |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231042831/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=31787 |archive-date = 31 December 2007}} In Europe, the album sold over 4 million copies.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2001.html |title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards:2001 AWARDS |publisher=IFPI |year=2001 |access-date=29 November 2008 |archive-date=22 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222025506/http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2001.html |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|The Ego Has Landed|Sing When You're Winning|Swing When You're Winning}}

In 1999, Williams was signed to Capitol Records in the United States, a part of EMI. He embarked on a United States promotional tour and released his first United States and Canadian single, "Millennium". The compilation album The Ego Has Landed was released in July 1999 in the United States and Canada. In the middle of promotion and the tours in 1999, Williams began work on his third studio album.

File:Robbie paparazzi V sign.jpg, in London in 2000, gesturing to a paparazzi photographer]]

The first single taken from the album was "Rock DJ", a song inspired by Williams's UNICEF mentor, the late Ian Dury. The video created by Fred & Farid{{cite web |title=Yahoo! Big Idea Chair: A feast of Fred & Farid |url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/607923 |publisher=Campaign}} showed Williams in an attempt to get noticed by a group of women, first stripping and then tearing chunks of skin and muscle from his body, and caused controversy in the United Kingdom and many other countries. The video was edited by Top of the Pops for its graphic content and many other channels followed suit.{{cite news |title=Controversial Robbie single hits the shops |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/859988.stm |date=31 July 2000 |work=BBC News}} The song became an instant hit, reaching number one in the UK (becoming his third number one single as a solo artist) and New Zealand. The song went on to win "Best Song of 2000" at the MTV Europe Music Awards, "Best Single of the Year" at the Brit Awards and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Special Effects.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2001/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828041551/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2001/|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2008|title=MTV Video Music Awards 2001|publisher=MTV|access-date=17 June 2018}}

When the album, Sing When You're Winning was released in August 2000, it topped the charts in many different countries.{{cite web |title=Robbie Williams – Sing When You're Winning (album) |url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Robbie+Williams&titel=Sing+When+You%27re+Winning&cat=a |publisher=GfK Dutch Charts |access-date=17 December 2015}} In the UK the album was certified 2× Platinum on its first week of release.{{cite web |title=Award Certification for "Sing When You're Winning" |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29046 |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106095819/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29046 |archive-date = 6 November 2007}} After the success of his third album, Williams wanted to take another musical direction. He took two weeks off from his tour to record Swing When You're Winning, his fourth studio album. Born from his lifelong love for Frank Sinatra{{spaced ndash}}combined with the success of the track "Have You Met Miss Jones?" that he recorded for the film Bridget Jones' Diary in 2001{{spaced ndash}}the album was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles.

Williams took the chance to duet with his long-time friend Jonathan Wilkes, Little Voice star Jane Horrocks, Saturday Night Live star Jon Lovitz, Rupert Everett and actress Nicole Kidman. The first single released from the album was a duet with Kidman, on "Somethin' Stupid". Originally a hit for Frank and Nancy Sinatra, the song became Williams' fifth number one hit in the UK.{{cite web |url= http://www.theofficialcharts.com/all_singles_song.php?id=916 |title="Somethin' Stupid" first week sales in the United Kingdom |publisher=Theofficialcharts.com |date=22 December 2001 |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080529052550/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/all_singles_song.php?id=916 |archive-date = 29 May 2008}} It eventually went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2001.{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29997 |title=Award Certification for 'Something Stupid' |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106095133/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29997 |archive-date = 6 November 2007}} "Beyond the Sea" was featured over the credits of the film Finding Nemo in 2003 and was also released on the film's soundtrack CD. A DVD, Robbie Williams Live at the Albert Hall, was released in December of that year and has become one of the best selling music DVDs in Europe, being certified 6× Platinum in the United Kingdom{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=32440 |title=Award Certification for 'Live at the Albert Hall' |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106095926/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=32440 |archive-date = 6 November 2007}} and 2× Platinum in Germany.{{Certification Cite|region=Germany|artist=Robbie Williams}}

{{Main|Escapology (album)|Greatest Hits (Robbie Williams album)|Intensive Care (album)}}

In 2002, Williams signed a record-breaking £80 million contract with EMI.{{cite news |title=Robbie signs '£80m' deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2291605.stm|work=BBC News |date=2 October 2002}} The contract included a number of provisos, including the label ceding greater creative control to the artist and a commitment to breaking Williams into the US market. It remains the biggest music deal in British history. The deal was brokered by Ingenious Media, a UK corporate finance advisory business. Williams began working on what would be his fifth studio album, spending a year in the recording studio. The album heralded a new era for Williams. He had taken a more active role in the making of this album. "One Fine Day", "Nan's Song", and "Come Undone" were the first songs that Williams wrote without the input of Guy Chambers. Most of the songs were recorded in Los Angeles.

{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="For the first time in my life, I'm speechless."|source=—Williams addresses the crowd during his three record-breaking concerts at Knebworth playing to 375,000 people, the biggest event in UK music history.{{cite news |title=Fans go wild for Robbie |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3116113.stm |work=BBC |date=17 June 2018}}}}

The album's first single, "Feel", written by Williams and Chambers, was recorded as a demo. When they started working on the album and were trying to re-record the vocals, Williams felt dissatisfied with it, so he decided to include the demo version and then release it as the first single. When the single was released in late 2002, it became Williams' biggest international hit, going number one in The Netherlands and Italy and reaching the top ten in many European countries.{{cite web |title=Robbie Williams – Feel (Single) |url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Robbie+Williams&titel=Feel&cat=s |publisher=GfK Dutch Charts |access-date=17 December 2015 }} When Williams' fifth studio album, Escapology, was released in late 2002, it hit number one in at least 10 countries around the world. In the United States, it failed to make such an impact. Escapology sold almost 2 million copies by the end of 2003 in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=30860 |title=Platinum Awards Content |date=30 September 2007 |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618162807/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=30860 |archive-date=18 June 2008 }} On 1–3 August 2003, Williams played three consecutive concerts at Knebworth to 125,000 people each night, making it the biggest event in UK music history. Memorable performances included "Come Undone" where he interjected with "Britain, I'm Your Son", and further interacted with the audience when he brought a girl up on stage.{{Cite web |last=Beardsworth |first=Luke |date=2014-07-04 |title=Are you ready for Robbie? Seven great Robbie Williams live videos |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/seven-great-robbie-williams-live-7372033 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Birmingham Mail |language=en}} In October 2003, Williams released a live album of the concerts, Live at Knebworth.{{Cite web |title=Live at Knebworth |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-knebworth-mw0000711670 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=AllMusic}}

In October 2004, Williams released Greatest Hits, a retrospective of his career, which also contained new tracks he had been working on with then-new collaborator Stephen Duffy. "Radio", the compilation's first single, debuted at number one in the UK Singles Chart, becoming Williams' sixth number-one hit. When the compilation was released, it debuted at number one in the UK and was the best selling album of the year in the UK and Europe.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2006.html |title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2006 |publisher=IFPI |year=2006 |access-date=12 November 2008 |archive-date=7 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507023626/http://ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2006.html |url-status=dead }} Eight years after the release of "Angels", the British public voted it as the "Best Single of the Past Twenty-Five Years" at the 2005 Brit Awards.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/brits2005/wdyt_2.shtml |title=Brits25: Did your favourites get awards? |publisher=BBC |date=9 February 2005}}

After touring Latin America in late 2004 for the promotion Greatest Hits, Williams started working on his sixth studio album. Recorded at his house in the Hollywood Hills, the album was co-written by Stephen Duffy over the course of 24 months. The album Intensive Care was launched in Berlin on 9 October. It became an international hit. In November 2005, Williams took home the MTV Europe Music Award for 'Best Male', but also, entered in The Guinness Book of World Records when he announced his World Tour for 2006, selling 1.6 million tickets in one single day.{{cite news|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Enters-The-Guinness-Book-of-World-Records-13394.shtml |title=Robbie Williams Enters The Guinness Book of World Records |date=26 November 2005 |publisher=Softpedia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006151507/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Enters-The-Guinness-Book-of-World-Records-13394.shtml |archive-date=6 October 2014 }} Williams kicked off his Close Encounters World Tour in South Africa in April 2006; when he finished his European leg of the tour, 2.5 million people had seen the show and, after touring Latin America and Australia, the numbers went up to 3 million.{{cite magazine |magazine=Time |url=http://www.emimusic.com.mx/portal/hgxpp001.aspx?{{formatnum:224135}},O,S,0,PAG;CONC;26;2;D;372970;1;PAG;, |title=EMI Music Mexico |publisher=Emimusic.com.mx |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019102950/http://www.emimusic.com.mx/portal/hgxpp001.aspx?%7B%7Bformatnum%3A224135%7D%7D%2CO%2CS%2C0%2CPAG%3BCONC%3B26%3B2%3BD%3B372970%3B1%3BPAG%3B%2C |archive-date=19 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Rudebox|Reality Killed the Video Star}}

Williams released his much anticipated dance/electro album, Rudebox, on 23 October 2006. It featured collaborations with the Pet Shop Boys, William Orbit, Soul Mekanik, Joey Negro, Mark Ronson, Chris Grierson, and The Orr Boys. It received mixed reviews: Allmusic gave it a four star rating, the NME 8 out of 10, and Music Week and MOJO were equally positive,{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/robbie-williams/8052 |title=NME Magazine on "Rudebox" |work=NME |location=UK |date=23 October 2006 |access-date=23 December 2009}} but it received much weaker reviews from some of the British press. The album sold 2× Platinum in Europe with sales of over 2 million making it the fastest platinum-selling album of 2006.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2006.html |title=IFPI Certifications, November 2006 |publisher=Ifpi.org |date=1 September 2005 |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-date=7 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507023626/http://ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2006.html |url-status=dead }} To promote his album, Williams commissioned a series of short films.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=1514 |title=Goodbye to the hard sell |publisher=Thefirstpost.co.uk |date=12 March 2007 |access-date=23 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011164546/http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=1514 |archive-date=11 October 2007 }} Goodbye to the Normals was directed by Jim Field Smith and features "Burslem Normals" by Williams.

File:Robbie Williams catzi.jpg

In February 2009, it was confirmed that Williams had written material with Guy Chambers and Mark Ronson. A spokesman said that Williams was planning to begin the recording sessions in March and that the new album would be released in late 2009. This will probably be the last Williams album released by EMI.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jan/28/robbie-williams-album-mark-ronson |title=robbie williams album-mark ronson |work=The Guardian |date= 28 January 2009|access-date=23 December 2009 | location=London | first=Sean | last=Michaels}} On his official website, Williams confirmed that he was working with producer Trevor Horn on his new album, which would eventually be titled Reality Killed the Video Star,{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.it/music/inuscita/dischi_all.asp |title=New album title – Page 4 |publisher=MTV |access-date=23 December 2009}} a reference to the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" by Horn's former band the Buggles. The album was released on 9 November 2009 in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|last=Glastetter |first=Jason |url=http://www.theendofirony.net/2009/08/robbie-williams-is-back-for-good.html |title=Robbie Williams is back for good |publisher=Theendofirony.net |date=5 August 2009 |access-date=23 December 2009}}

On 11 October 2009 Williams published a 12-track compilation album, titled Songbook, as a free CD for the newspaper The Mail on Sunday. That same evening, Williams made his "comeback" on The X Factor results show, performing his new single "Bodies" for the first time live.{{cite web|url=http://xfactor.itv.com/2009/episodes/news/item_100146.htm |title=X Factor – Home |publisher=Xfactor.itv.com |access-date=24 April 2014}} On 20 October 2009 Williams opened the BBC Electric Proms at the London RoundHouse.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2009/artists/robbiewilliams/ |title=BBC Electric Proms – Robbie Williams |work=BBC News |access-date=23 December 2009}} It was his first live concert for 3 years and was broadcast across 200 cinemas worldwide.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/oct/21/robbie-williams-concert-review |title=Concert Review |work=The Guardian |date= 21 October 2009|access-date=23 December 2009 | location=London | first=Alexis | last=Petridis}} Accompanied by a string section, horn section, full band and producer Trevor Horn, Williams performed several new tracks from Reality Killed the Video Star and older tracks.

Reality Killed the Video Star was previewed in the UK on the Spotify music streaming service on 6 November 2009, and official released on 9 November.{{cite web |last=Sehr |first=Andres |url=http://www.spotify.com/blog/archives/2009/11/03/robbie-williams%E2%80%99-new-album-to-debut-exclusively-on-spotify-in-the-uk/ |title=Robbie Williams' new album to debut exclusively on Spotify in the UK |publisher=Spotify.com |date=3 November 2009 |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107212352/http://www.spotify.com/blog/archives/2009/11/03/robbie-williams%E2%80%99-new-album-to-debut-exclusively-on-spotify-in-the-uk/ |archive-date=7 January 2010 |url-status=dead}} In a high-profile chart battle, Williams' album was pitted against X Factor 2008 runners-up JLS who released their debut album the same day. JLS beat Williams to the number one spot by 1500 sales. The album was also released in the United States (Williams' first album to be released there since 2002's Escapology). In late November 2009, Williams travelled to Australia to perform at the ARIA Music Awards of 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2009|title=ARIA Awards 2009 : History: Winners by Year : 2009:23rd Annual ARIA Awards|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date=13 June 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091124212945/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php| archive-date= 24 November 2009 | url-status= live}}

{{Main|In and Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990–2010|Take the Crown}}

File:Robbiein2009.jpg in 2009]]

In October 2010, Williams released his second greatest hits album, In and Out of Consciousness: The Greatest Hits 1990–2010, to celebrate 20 years as a performing artist. A single, "Shame", was also released, which was written and sung by Williams and Barlow.

On 21 October 2011 Williams signed with Island Records (Universal Music), following his departure from his previous record label EMI in 2010.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/robbie-williams-splits-with-emi-after-pound80-million-deal-that-went-sour-nvvxpdw698m|title=Robbie Williams splits with EMI after £80 million deal that went sour|date=22 October 2011|access-date=9 April 2019|via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}

Williams was the opening act at the Diamond Jubilee Concert, which was co-organised by Gary Barlow, held outside Buckingham Palace on 4 June 2012.{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams opens Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9311358/Robbie-Williams-opens-Queens-Diamond-Jubilee-concert.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605061221/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9311358/Robbie-Williams-opens-Queens-Diamond-Jubilee-concert.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 June 2012 |work=The Telegraph |date=17 June 2018}} During the end of August his official website began a countdown to the release of information regarding his latest solo material, with an image of his face and his mind unveiled daily as the countdown expired.{{cite web |url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/86107/Robbie-Williams-Teases-New-Single-Losers |title=Robbie Williams Teases New Single 'Losers' |work=Entertainmentwise.com |date=28 August 2012 |access-date=24 April 2014 |archive-date=25 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425170210/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/86107/Robbie-Williams-Teases-New-Single-Losers |url-status=dead }} Titled Take the Crown, the album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart making it Williams' tenth number one album. It also marked the second time that Williams had a number one single ("Candy") and album at the same time on the chart. The first time was in 2001 when "Somethin' Stupid" and Swing When You're Winning were number one on the singles and albums chart respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-crowned-king-of-the-charts-with-number-1-single-and-album-1701/ |title=Robbie Williams crowned king of the charts with Number 1 single and al |publisher=Officialcharts.com |access-date=11 November 2012}}

The album's lead single, "Candy", premiered on 10 September 2012 and was released on 11 September in most countries and 29 October in the UK. In the UK, "Candy" became Williams' first number one single since "Radio" (2004) and his seventh solo number one single. In its first week the song had sold 137,000 copies becoming the fastest-selling male artist single of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/take-that-gary-robbie-williams-equals-gary-barlows-career-tally-as-candy-hits-number-1-1684/ |title=Take THAT, Gary! Robbie Williams equals Gary Barlow's career tally as |publisher=Officialcharts.com |access-date=7 November 2012}} On 26 November 2012 Williams announced a 17 date stadium tour of Europe.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a440965/robbie-williams-announces-17-date-european-stadium-tour.html |title=Robbie Williams announces 17-date European stadium tour – Music News |website=Digital Spy |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=24 April 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.4music.com/news/news/7006/Robbie-Williams-announces-tour|title=Robbie Williams Announces Tour|publisher=4Music|date=26 November 2012|access-date=26 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512201716/http://www.4music.com/news/news/7006/Robbie-Williams-announces-tour|archive-date=12 May 2013}} Williams also confirmed that the support act for the tour would be Olly Murs who also duets with him on "Kids". Universal and EMI merged in 2012, bringing Williams' Chrysalis/Virgin recordings full circle to Universal.

{{Main|Swings Both Ways|Under the Radar Volume 1}}

File:TakeTheCrownTourStage.jpg in Manchester during the Take the Crown Stadium Tour, June 2013]]

In September 2013, Williams announced a follow-up to his 2001 swing album, titled Swings Both Ways for release in November. The album features covers and original songs, whilst also including duet recordings with Michael Bublé, Olly Murs, Rufus Wainwright, Lily Allen and Kelly Clarkson.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a514634/robbie-williams-announces-new-album-swings-both-ways-video.html |title=Robbie Williams announces new album 'Swings Both Ways' – video – Music News |website=Digital Spy |date=12 September 2013 |access-date=17 September 2013}} In November 2013, Williams made a cameo appearance in the video to Murs's song "Hand on Heart".{{cite web|last1=Knight|first1=David|title=Olly Murs 'Hand On My Heart' by Vaughan Arnell|url=http://www.promonews.tv/videos/2013/11/08/olly-murs-hand-my-heart-vaughan-arnell|publisher=Promonews.tv|access-date=18 August 2014|date=8 November 2013}}

Williams released a compilation album entitled Under the Radar Volume 1 on 1 December 2014 through his website, featuring leftovers and unreleased songs.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7572260/robbie-williams-under-the-radar-vol-1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141202113214/http://www.idolator.com/7572260/robbie-williams-under-the-radar-vol-1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2014|title=Robbie Williams Announces New Rarities Album, 'Under The Radar Vol. 1′|work=Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com|date=28 November 2014}} "[These are] loads and loads of songs that I have written that I am incredibly passionate about, I want you to hear them, otherwise they are just going to remain in my computer!"{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/01/robbie-williams-under-the-radar-volume-1-new-album|title=Robbie Williams unveils surprise new album|first=Sean|last=Michaels|work=The Guardian|date=December 2014 }} Williams said that Guy Chambers was "not happy" about these songs being released online: "He thinks I am a lunatic for not putting them on an album that we have promoted with TV performances and at radio stations and a big tour," Williams said. "But I am an impetuous bugger, and I want them out now, now, now!"{{Cite web |last=Pocklington |first=Rebecca |date=2014-11-28 |title=Is Robbie Williams challenging Take That with surprise new album? |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/robbie-williams-announces-surprise-new-4714614 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Daily Mirror |language=en}}

{{Main|The Heavy Entertainment Show|Under the Radar Volume 2}}

File:Robbie Williams, Roundhouse, London (Apple Music Festival) (29312031654).jpg in London, 25 September 2016]]

In May 2016, it was announced that Williams had signed a recording contract with Sony Music. In a statement, Williams said: "They're [Sony Music] inspired, I'm inspired. I'm more ready than I ever have been and I'm totally convinced I'm in the right place. I look forward to working on this album, which is an album I'm immensely proud of, in this exciting new partnership with Sony Music."{{cite magazine|title=Robbie Williams signs to Sony Music|url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/robbie-williams-signs-to-sony-music/064724|magazine=Music Week|access-date=26 September 2016|date=8 May 2016}} The Heavy Entertainment Show became his 12th UK number-one album, putting him level with Madonna.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7573698/uk-albums-chart-robbie-williams-clean-bandit|title=Robbie Williams Claims 'Heavy' U.K. Album Record|last=Sexton|first=Paul|date=14 November 2016|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=11 December 2016}} In July 2017, Williams announced a new album, Under the Radar Volume 2, which was released in November 2017.{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Nick |date=2017-07-11 |title=Robbie Williams has a new album coming out and he's climbed a tree naked to promote it |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-announces-new-album-under-the-radar-volume-2-2107942 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} A third edition in the Under the Radar series was released on Valentine's Day of 2019.{{cite web|url=https://shop.robbiewilliams.com/products/under-the-radar-volume-3-cd|title=Under The Radar Volume 3 (CD) – Under The Radar|website=Robbie Williams Shop|access-date=9 April 2019|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414125900/https://shop.robbiewilliams.com/products/under-the-radar-volume-3-cd|url-status=dead}}

File:Sdm 4486.jpg in Moscow, Russia, 14 June 2018]]

On 14 June 2018, Williams performed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Williams sang

"Let Me Entertain You" and "Feel" before he performed a duet of "Angels" with Russian soprano Aida Garifullina.{{cite news |title=World Cup 2018: Ronaldo and Robbie Williams star in opening ceremony |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44487420 |work=BBC |date=14 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/13/world-cup-2018-opening-ceremony-time-will-start-will-robbie/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/13/world-cup-2018-opening-ceremony-time-will-start-will-robbie/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=World Cup 2018 Opening Ceremony: What time will it start and when will Robbie Williams feature?|work=The Telegraph|date=13 June 2018|access-date=14 June 2018}}{{cbignore}} Williams then performed an encore with "Rock DJ", during which he gave the finger.{{cite news |title=Fox apologises for Williams gesture |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-44494286 |access-date=15 June 2018 |work=BBC News |date=15 June 2018 }} Fox in the U.S. apologised for the incident which they had broadcast live. The incident was not shown on ITV in the UK who had cut away prior to the encore. Williams appeared on This Morning on 19 June and explained what happened, "It was one minute to kick off, I was under a lot of pressure, because there was one minute left and I didn't know how I was going to do half a minute, so I just did a one-minute countdown [using his middle finger]." Asked by presenter Phillip Schofield whether he regrets it, he said: "Yeah, of course, yeah. I cannot trust me. I don't know what I'm going to do at any time. There's no, sort of, plan. The plan was, sing in key, don't fall over. That was the plan and 99% of the plan, I pulled off." When asked did the idea just enter his head he responded, "Nothing actually pops into my head. There's a block between me and sense... then something happens and then five minutes later, I'm like, 'Did I? Yeah, I did, didn't I?".{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams explains why he gave planet Earth the middle finger at the World Cup |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/this-morning/news/a859808/robbie-williams-world-cup-2018-russia-swear-middle-finger/ |work=Digital Spy |date=21 June 2018}}

On 17 July 2018, Williams along with his wife, and One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, were announced as the new judges on the fifteenth series of The X Factor in the UK, joining Simon Cowell and replacing Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger.{{cite news |title=Louis Tomlinson and Robbie Williams named new judges on The X Factor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44436738 |access-date=17 July 2018 |work=BBC}}

On 22 November, Williams released his first Christmas album, The Christmas Present, with guest appearances from boxer Tyson Fury, Rod Stewart, Jamie Cullum, Helene Fischer and Bryan Adams. It debuted at number two on the UK Charts behind Coldplay's Everyday Life. The album sold over 67,000 copies, matching The Heavy Entertainment Show. Williams also sold over 10,000 cassettes in seven days, the most in two decades. The following week saw Williams' album go to #1 in the UK, outselling the nearest competitor, Rod Stewart, by 5,000 copies. This was Williams' 13th UK number-one album, tying Elvis Presley for the most UK number-one albums.{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams Lands His Lucky 13th No. 1 Album In The U.K. With 'The Christmas Present' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2019/12/06/robbie-williams-lands-his-lucky-thirteenth-no-1-album-in-the-uk-with-the-christmas-present/#7e2be8e56e95 |access-date=10 March 2020 |work=Forbes}} Williams released the promotional single "Hey Tiger" in December 2019, for the new version of The Tiger Who Came to Tea.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/07/robbie-williams-records-theme-song-for-channel-4s-christmas-special-of-the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-10876674/|title=Robbie Williams records theme song for Channel 4's Christmas Special of The Tiger Who Came To Tea|website=Metro|last=Bray|first=Abbie|date=7 October 2019|access-date=17 February 2024}}

On 25 February 2022, it was revealed that Williams had teamed up with his regular collaborators Tim Metcalfe and Flynn Francis to record the trance track "Sway" under the new alias 'Lufthaus'.{{cite web|url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/133396-robbie-williams-releases-secret-dance-track/|title=Robbie Williams releases secret dance track|website=The List|date=25 February 2022|access-date=22 February 2022}} In April 2022, The Guardian wrote that while Williams "remains a big draw", he was no longer guaranteed hits and was "now more likely to be playlisted on Smooth Radio than BBC Radio 1". Williams said he was working on more experimental music, which he likened to David Bowie and Lou Reed, but said: "Do I unashamedly want to still be one of the biggest artists in the world? Yeah, I do ... I've had an interesting first half of my life. I'd like an interesting second half, too."{{Cite web |last=Duerden |first=Nick |date=2022-04-16 |title='That's it? It's over? I was 30. What a brutal business': pop stars on life after the spotlight moves on |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/16/pop-stars-spotlight-bob-geldof-robbie-williams-lisa-maffia |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} In May 2022, Williams performed at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, during the filming of his Better Man biopic which was produced at Docklands Studios Melbourne.{{cite web | last=Quinn | first=Karl | title=Robbie Williams' Better Man concerts filmed for 2023 biopic | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=2 May 2022 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/my-night-with-robbie-williams-a-tom-jones-impersonator-and-thousands-of-shane-warne-fans-20220502-p5aht1.html | access-date=24 March 2023}}

On 7 June 2022, Williams announced that his tenth compilation album, XXV, would be released on 9 September 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-xxv-album-tracklisting-release-date-artwork-angels-2022-version-new-song-lost-and-more__36544/|title=Robbie Williams' XXV album: tracklisting, release date, artwork, Angels 2022 version, new song Lost and more|website=Official Charts|last=Smith|first=Carl|date=7 June 2022|access-date=8 June 2022}} It will feature new, reimagined versions of his hit songs, plus new material. On the same day as this announcement, Williams released "Angels XXV", a reworked version of "Angels".{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/robbie-williams-new-album-xxv-liam-gallagher-knebworth-oasis-3240997|title=Robbie Williams jokes he could play Knebworth again if he "sold tickets as cheaply" as Liam Gallagher|website=NME|last=Bassett|first=Jordan|date=7 June 2022|access-date=8 June 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5kjrL5SimgDQGObQbab5EU?si=BXueogcgTfazR7D4AydSww|title=Angels XXV|website=Spotify |date=7 June 2022|access-date=8 June 2022}} On 10 June 2022, "Angels (XXV)" reached number 92 on the UK Official Singles Sales Chart,{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20220610|title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 – 10 June 2022 – 16 June 2022|website=Official Charts|date=10 June 2022|access-date=10 June 2022}} rising to 74 a week later.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20220617|title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 – 17 June 2022 – 23 June 2022|website=Official Charts|date=17 June 2022|access-date=17 June 2022}} On 5 August 2022, Williams released the single "Lost", also taken from XXV.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-shares-new-xxv-album-single-lost-about-reckless-behaviour-3284275|title=Robbie Williams shares new 'XXV' album single 'Lost' about "reckless behaviour"|website=NME|last=Krol|first=Charlotte|date=5 August 2022|access-date=5 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/robbie-williams-announces-new-single-lost-from-xxv-greatest-hits-collection/|title=Robbie Williams announces new single 'Lost' from 'XXV' greatest hits collection|website=Retro Pop Magazine|date=3 August 2022|access-date=5 August 2022}}

XXV was released on 9 September 2022 and debuted a week later at number 1 on the UK Official Albums Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20220916|title=Official Albums Chart Top 100 – 16 September 2022 – 22 September 2022|website=Official Charts|date=16 September 2022|access-date=16 September 2022}} In doing so, Williams broke all previous Official Chart records with his fourteenth solo number one album.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-breaks-official-chart-records-with-xxv-album-only-the-beatles-now-have-more-uk-number-1-albums__37414/|title=Robbie Williams breaks Official Chart records with XXV album – only The Beatles now have more UK Number 1 albums. Robbie becomes the solo artist with most UK Number 1 albums, with only The Beatles now left to beat.|website=Official Charts|date=16 September 2022|access-date=16 September 2022}} On 24 September 2022, Williams performed at the 2022 AFL Grand Final held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.{{Cite web |title=Delta Goodrem joins the 2022 Telstra Pre Match Entertainment as special guest |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/848092/delta-goodrem-joins-the-2022-telstra-pre-match-entertainment-as-special-guest |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=afl.com.au |date=22 September 2022 |language=en}} Williams sang "Let Me Entertain You", "Rock DJ", "Lost" and "Feel" before he performed "Angels" which Williams dedicated to Australian cricketer Shane Warne, who had died in March 2022. Williams then covered John Farnham's "You're the Voice" stating "The next song is the unofficial national anthem of Australia! Let's all send our love to John and his family". Just two days prior on 22 September 2022, John Farnham had released a statement outlining that he was to undergo immediate surgery after being diagnosed with cancer.{{Cite news |date=2022-08-22 |title=Singer John Farnham undergoes surgery after revealing cancer diagnosis |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-23/john-farnham-reveals-cancer-diagnosis/101359756 |access-date=2022-08-23}} Williams then performed "Kids" with Australian singer Delta Goodrem.{{Cite news |date=2022-09-24 |title=Warney, Farnsy, Delta and disco balls feature in AFL grand final pre-match show by Robbie Williams |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-24/afl-grand-final-entertainment-robbie-williams-delta-goodrem/101470390 |access-date=2022-09-25}}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-24 |title='Love you Warnie': Robbie's perfect tribute to late great spin king, Aussie music legend |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/love-you-warnie-robbies-perfect-tribute-to-late-great-spin-king-aussie-music-legend/news-story/5563cc7aabe16e86a6cc5356613c655f |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}

On 7 October 2022, Lufthaus released the single "Soul Seekers".{{cite web|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/robbie-williams-and-lufthaus-return-with-latest-single-soul-seekers/|title=Robbie Williams and Lufthaus return with latest single 'Soul Seekers'|website=Retro Pop Magazine|date=7 October 2022|access-date=27 October 2022}} Williams' XXV tour started on 9 October 2022 in The O2 Arena, supported by Lufthaus.{{cite web|url=https://www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/robbie-williams-1|title=Robbie Williams. The O2|website=The O2|access-date=27 October 2022}} In November 2022, Williams performed in Qatar as part of the country's FIFA World Cup 2022 celebrations. His appearance attracted criticism due to Qatar's human rights abuses and strict LGBT laws.{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Michelle |title=Tiny Qatar beats out America for World Cup – Total Soccer {{pipe}} Fútbol Total |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/03/1956521/tiny-qatar-beats-out-america-for.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503195608/http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/03/1956521/tiny-qatar-beats-out-america-for.html |archive-date=3 May 2011 |access-date=22 November 2022 |newspaper=The Miami Herald}}{{Cite news |last=James |first=Stuart |date=2 December 2010 |title=World Cup 2022: 'Political craziness' favours Qatar's winning bid |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/02/world-cup-2022-qatar-winning-bid |url-status=live |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226062322/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/02/world-cup-2022-qatar-winning-bid |archive-date=26 December 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.londonworld.com/sport/world-cup-2022-british-boyband-blue-criticised-for-qatar-fan-festival-performance-amid-countrys-lgbtq-laws-3927170|title=World Cup 2022: British boyband Blue criticised for Qatar fan festival performance amid country's LGBTQ+ laws|website=London World|last=Evans|first=Ethan|date=22 November 2022|access-date=22 November 2022}} After the criticism, Williams stated, "I don't condone any abuses of human rights anywhere [...] if we're not condoning human rights abuses anywhere, then it would be the shortest tour the world has ever known: I wouldn't even be able to perform in my own kitchen [...] Anybody leaving messages saying 'no to Qatar' are doing so on Chinese technology [...] the hypocrisy there is that if we take that case in this place, we need to apply that unilaterally to the world. Then if we apply that unilaterally to the world, nobody can go anywhere."{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/robbie-williams-stands-decision-perform-qatar-world-cup-despite-backlash|title=Robbie Williams stands by decision to perform in Qatar for the World Cup despite backlash|website=Fox News|last=Thayer|first=Caroline|date=21 November 2022|access-date=22 November 2022}}

On 5 May 2023, Williams was featured on the bilingual single "Une Tahitienne á Paris" by the French singer Mareva Galanter.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/une-tahitienne-%C3%A0-paris-feat-robbie-williams/1683551936?i=1683551949|title=Une Tahitienne á Paris, Mareva Galanter featuring Robbie Williams|website=Apple Music|date=5 May 2023|access-date=10 May 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.public.fr/News/Une-des-plus-celebres-Miss-France-a-dit-un-grand-oui-a-Robbie-Williams-1771885|title=Une des plus cèlébres Miss France a dit un grand oui à Robbie Williams!|website=Public|last=4 May 2023|date=4 May 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}} On 21 August 2023, Williams was featured with a cameo performance on the single "Punk's Dead", by the English duo Soft Play.{{Cite web|url=https://readdork.com/news/soft-play-punks-dead-reading-leeds-robbie-williams/|title=Soft Play are back with a bombastic new single, 'Punk's Dead', and a very special "notable guest"|first=Stephen|last=Ackroyd|date=21 August 2023|website=Dork}} Lufthaus' debut album, "Visions, Volume 1" was released on 6 October 2023. The single "Immortal", featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor, was released the day before.{{cite web |last1=Duran |first1=Anagricel |title=Robbie Williams' dance music project Lufthaus, announces debut album |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-dance-music-project-lufthaus-announces-debut-album-3498789 |website=NME |access-date=24 October 2023 |date=15 September 2023}}

On 2 May 2024, Williams was featured on the duet version of Lucy Spraggan's 2020 single "Sober".{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1987gtdWzyqOfliplmDCUY?si=047bcc70dc394cbd|title=Lucy Spraggan – Sober (feat. Robbie Williams)|website=Spotify|date=2 May 2024|access-date=3 May 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://celebmix.com/lucy-spraggan-robbie-williams-share-tender-new-duet-sober/|title=Lucy Spraggan & Robbie Williams share tender new duet 'Sober'|website=CelebMix|last=Logan|first=Philip|date=3 May 2024|access-date=3 May 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.music-news.com/news/Underground/172844/Lucy-Spraggan-teams-up-with-superstar-Robbie-Williams|title=Lucy Spraggan teams up with superstar Robbie Williams|website=Music News|date=17 April 2024|access-date=3 May 2024}} In September 2024, he featured on the track "Danny" with the Israeli singer Noga Erez on her album, The Vandalist.{{Cite news |last=Naot |first=Shira |date=2024-09-23 |title=Israeli Singer Noga Erez Will Make Guest Appearances at Pink's Concerts in the U.S. |url=https://www.haaretz.com/life/2024-09-23/ty-article/.premium/israeli-singer-noga-erez-will-make-guest-appearances-at-pinks-concerts-in-the-u-s/00000192-1f0b-dc44-affb-3f9b3b2d0000 |access-date=2025-03-11 |work=Haaretz}} The pair previously performed together at his June 2023 concert in Tel Aviv.{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Jessica |date=2023-06-01 |title=Robbie Williams bonds with Noga Erez ahead of Tel Aviv show |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/robbie-williams-bonds-with-israels-noga-erez-ahead-of-tel-aviv-show/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}

In August 2024, Better Man, a musical biopic about Williams' life, opened to acclaim at the Telluride Film Festival. It was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2024, and made its theatrical premiere on 26 December 2024 in Australia by Roadshow Films and in the United Kingdom by Entertainment Film Distributors.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Benjamin |date=2024-09-11 |title=Better Man review – Robbie Williams monkey biopic is a bananas gamble that pays off |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/sep/11/better-man-movie-review |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=30 May 2024 |title=Joel Pearlman to Exit Australia's Village Roadshow After 30 Year Tenure – Global Bulletin |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/joel-pearlman-village-roadshow-1236019488/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Variety}} It had a limited theatrical release by Paramount Pictures in the United States on 25 December, before a wider release set for 10 January 2025.{{Cite web |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=28 February 2024 |title='Naked Gun' Remake Set for 2025 by Paramount; 'TMNT' and 'Paw Patrol' Sequels Dated for 2026 |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/naked-gun-remake-2025-paramount-tmnt-paw-patrol-sequel-2026-1235925545/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228184542/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/naked-gun-remake-2025-paramount-tmnt-paw-patrol-sequel-2026-1235925545/ |archive-date=28 February 2024 |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=Variety}}{{cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=21 November 2024 |title=Paramount Tweaks Theatrical Rollout Of 'Better Man' & 'September 5' During Awards Season |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/paramount-better-man-sept-5-1236184010/ |accessdate=19 December 2024 |work=Deadline Hollywood}} Better Man received a record-breaking 16 nominations at the 2025 AACTA Awards, winning in nine categories, including Best Film.{{cite web |last=Winter |first=Velvet |date=7 February 2025 |title=AACTA Awards 2025 winners list: Better Man named best film as Boy Swallows Universe sweeps for TV |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-07/aacta-awards-2025-winners-list-better-man-boy-swallows-universe/104911202 |access-date=7 February 2025 |website=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} It was a box-office failure, and performed particularly poorly in the US, where Williams is less known.{{Cite news |last=Wolfson |first=Sam |date=2025-01-16 |title='I hate this movie, and I haven't even seen it' – Americans won't let a chimp Robbie Williams entertain them |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jan/16/robbie-williams-better-man-us |access-date=2025-02-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

On 29 November 2024, Williams released the first single from the Better Man soundtrack, "Forbidden Road"; it reached number 20 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart one week later.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20241129/7000/|title=Official Singles Downloads Chart 29 November 2024 - 6 December 2024|website=Official Charts|date=29 November 2024|access-date=29 November 2024}} It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards and the 14th AACTA Awards.{{Cite web |last=Barnard |first=Matthew |date=2024-12-09 |title=NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR 82nd ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBES® |url=https://goldenglobes.com/articles/nominations-announced-for-82nd-annual-golden-globes/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Golden Globes |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Jefferson |first=Dee |date=2024-12-06 |title=Robbie Williams biopic Better Man and Boy Swallows Universe lead 2025 Aacta award nominations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/dec/07/aacta-awards-2025-nominations-list-robbie-williams-biopic-better-man-boy-swallows-universe |access-date=2024-12-22 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} It was initially shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 97th Academy Awards but was disqualified a few days later after it was found it incorporated material from another song, "I Got A Name", as performed by Jim Croce.{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=2024-12-20 |title=Robbie Williams Song Dropped From 2025 Oscar Shortlist: Here's Why |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/robbie-williams-song-dropped-from-2025-oscar-shortlist-best-original-song-1235863501/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} Williams was a headline performer for Australia's nationally broadcast New Year's Eve concert, screened annually on the ABC from in front of the Sydney Opera House.{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/12/robbie-williams-to-headline-nye-concert.html|title=Robbie Williams to headline NYE concert|date=21 December 2024|website=TV Tonight|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=29 December 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220223937/https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/12/robbie-williams-to-headline-nye-concert.html|archive-date=20 December 2024}} A portion of his performance from Sydney also appeared in Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in the United States broadcast, hosted by Ryan Seacrest.{{cite web|last=Pilley|first=Max|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/carrie-underwood-jonas-brothers-tlc-and-sophie-ellis-bextor-headline-new-years-rockin-eve-show-in-times-square-3825485|title=Carrie Underwood, Jonas Brothers, TLC and Sophie Ellis-Bextor headline New Year's Rockin' Eve show in Times Square|date=1 January 2025|website=NME Networks|access-date=1 January 2025}} On 3 January 2025, the soundtrack album to Better Man debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums Downloads Chart, and at number 4 on the UK Soundtrack Albums Chart; on 24 January 2025, after the album was released on CD, it debuted at number 1 on the main UK Albums Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/robbie-williams-better-man-ost/|title=Robbie Williams - Better Man OST|website=Official Charts|date=3 January 2025|access-date=24 January 2025}}

In May 2025, an exhibition of Williams' artwork opened in London. The Guardian gave it one out of five, saying it comprised "line drawings filled with therapy speak, greeting-card banter and meaningless affirmations".{{Cite news |last=Frankel |first=Eddy |date=2025-05-06 |title=Robbie Williams: Radical Honesty review – ‘Tone deaf, self-important, incredibly bad art’ |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/06/robbie-williams-radical-honesty-moco-london-art-exhibition-take-that |access-date=2025-05-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} On 21 May 2025, he announced the release of his upcoming thirteenth studio album, Britpop; on the same day, he released the album's lead single, "Rocket", which features Tony Iommi.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-announces-new-album-britpop-shares-blistering-single-with-black-sabbaths-tony-iommi-3863859|title=Robbie Williams announces new album ‘BRITPOP’, shares blistering single with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi|website=NME|last=Burton|first=Poppy|date=21 May 2025|access-date=21 May 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-britpop-album-tour-tracklist-release-date/|title=Robbie Williams announces BRITPOP album and tour: dates, artwork, formats and more|website=Official Charts|last=Levine|first=Nick|date=21 May 2025|access-date=21 May 2025}}

File:Robb Queen.jpg". He collaborated with Queen in recording "We Are the Champions" for the 2001 film A Knight's Tale.]]

Robbie Williams collaborated with Australian pop star Kylie Minogue on the song "Kids". The single peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 2000. Williams also collaborated with Australian film star Nicole Kidman on a cover of Frank and Nancy Sinatra's "Somethin' Stupid". The single reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 2001. His single "No Regrets" featured Neil Tennant, and Neil Hannon on backing vocals. In 2001, Williams recorded "We Are the Champions" with Queen for the 2001 medieval adventure film A Knight's Tale.{{Cite news |date=2001-06-13 |title=Robbie's big band plan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1386653.stm |access-date=2025-03-11 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In 2002, Williams appeared on the track "My Culture" on the 1 Giant Leap album, alongside rapper Maxi Jazz (which features lyrics from the hidden track "Hello Sir" from Life thru a Lens). Williams also features on a double CD titled Concrete which was released on the same day as Rudebox. The CD features a concert recorded for the BBC featuring the Pet Shop Boys and Williams singing their classic hit "Jealousy". Their joint effort, "She's Madonna", was released as a single in March 2007. On 13 August 2007, a Dean Martin duets album was released, on which Williams sings "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone".

In 2010, he announced the release of "Shame", a duet with Take That lead singer songwriter Gary Barlow, as the first single from his greatest hits collection, In and Out of Consciousness: The Greatest Hits 1990–2010, which was certified silver in the UK and charted in 19 countries worldwide. In 2010, Williams and comedian/actor Russell Brand along with Frank Skinner, David Baddiel and singer-songwriter Ian Broudie (of The Lightning Seeds), under the name "The Squad", recorded a new version of "Three Lions", the England football team's song, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams singing on World Cup song |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10116560 |access-date=4 August 2019 |work=BBC}} In 2012, Williams recorded a duet with Mexican recording artist Thalía for the Spanish song "Te quiero dijiste (Muñequita linda)", included on her album Habítame Siempre.{{cite web |url=http://noticias999.com/a/2091367/thal%C3%ADa_a_dueto_con_robbie_williams_con_%E2%80%9Cte_quiero,_dijiste_mu%C3%B1equita_linda%E2%80%9D |title=Thalía a dueto con Robbie Williams con "Te Quiero, Dijiste (Muñequita Linda)" |publisher=Noticias999.com |access-date=2 November 2012 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225054847/http://noticias999.com/a/2091367/thal%C3%ADa_a_dueto_con_robbie_williams_con_%E2%80%9Cte_quiero,_dijiste_mu%C3%B1equita_linda%E2%80%9D |url-status=dead }}

In 2019, he collaborated with British comedian Jimmy Carr,{{Citation|last=Robbie Williams|title=Robbie Williams {{!}} Vloggie Williams Episode #70 – Cheeky / Smug / Annoying|date=15 March 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOZdcwRbPxI|access-date=18 March 2019}} co-writing the lyrics for "Live in Las Vegas" – the opening song of Williams's residency at the Wynn Las Vegas. A studio version of the song has been recorded{{Citation|last=Robbie Williams|title=Robbie Williams {{!}} Vloggie Williams Episode #69 – A Las Vegas Adventure|date=8 March 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VBMG_VLyEY&t=229| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/-VBMG_VLyEY| archive-date=2021-10-28|access-date=18 March 2019}}{{cbignore}} excerpts of which have been used in promotional material for the show, but the song is not yet available for download.

In 2005 Williams provided the voice of Dougal in the film adaption of The Magic Roundabout. On 26 August 2010, it was announced Williams would become a guest vocal coach on the ninth series of German reality television show Popstars: Girls forever to teach candidates for a girl group.{{cite news|url=http://www.focus.de/kultur/kino_tv/medien-robbie-williams-als-gastcoach-bei-popstars_aid_545690.html|title=Robbie Williams as vocal coach on Popstars|date=26 August 2010|access-date=26 August 2010|publisher=Focus|archive-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521143701/http://www.focus.de/kultur/kino_tv/medien-robbie-williams-als-gastcoach-bei-popstars_aid_545690.html|url-status=dead}}

On 20 September 2010, Williams released his second book called You Know Me in collaboration with Chris Heath. The book features a collection of photographs of Williams from the past 20 years of his career and discussion of them by Williams as transcribed by Heath. Williams launched a radio show titled Radio Rudebox on 6 October 2011 where he played music and interviewed Gary Barlow.

In 2011, Williams announced he was working with entrepreneur Peter Jones in developing a clothing line called Farrell in honour of his grandfather Jack Farrell.{{Cite web |last=de Rosee |first=Sophie |date=2011-08-09 |title=Singer Robbie Williams turns his hand to a menswear label |url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/sophie-deros%C3%A9e/TMG8691832/Singer-Robbie-Williams-turns-his-hand-to-a-menswear-label.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419162135/http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/sophie-deros%C3%A9e/TMG8691832/Singer-Robbie-Williams-turns-his-hand-to-a-menswear-label.html |archive-date=19 April 2023 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-US |url-status=live }} Although the business had filed for bankruptcy, it was relaunched in 2014 with support of clothing company Primark.{{Cite web |last=Usmar |first=Jo |date=2017-02-21 |title=10 surprising facts about Robbie Williams |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/priceless-side-of-music/facts-about-robbie-williams/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109030317/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/priceless-side-of-music/facts-about-robbie-williams/ |archive-date=2021-11-09 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}

Williams recorded the song "It's Only Us" as the theme for the FIFA video game FIFA 2000.{{cite web |last=Bhatt |first=Andy |date=2 November 1999 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/11/03/fifa-2000-3 |title=FIFA 2000 (PS) |website=IGN}} As part of the agreement to license the track EA Sports included Port Vale, the football club Williams supports, in the game, despite only being in the third tier of the English football league system.

Williams features in his own karaoke video game, We Sing Robbie Williams, which was released on 12 November 2010 by Nordic Games Publishing AB.{{cite web| url=http://nordicgames.se/?page=article&ref=NORDIC_GAMES_BRINGS_ROBBIE_WILLIAMS_TO_WII_ |title=Nordic Games brings Robbie Williams to Wii | publisher=Nordic Games | date=24 August 2010 | access-date=24 August 2010}}

In 2005, Williams founded a football team called Los Angeles Vale F.C. Williams formed the club with other celebrity friends after building his own soccer pitch at his home in Los Angeles.{{cite news | title = Robbie gets his kicks in LA | date = 26 June 2007 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2007/06/26/robbie_williams_la_vale_feature.shtml | work = BBC Stoke and Staffordshire | access-date = 23 January 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://lapremierleague.com/la_vale|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707054123/http://lapremierleague.com/la_vale|url-status=dead|title=Lapremierleague.com|archivedate=7 July 2007|website=lapremierleague.com}} The club was named after Williams' hometown club, Port Vale, and its logo was very similar.{{cite news|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,2177362,00.html |title=Phil Hogan meets Robbie William's LA football team |work=Observer.guardian.co.uk |date= 30 September 2007|access-date=21 April 2009 | location=London}} The club was disbanded in 2007, reportedly after Williams discovered two players had swindled him out of £200,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/robbie-williams-disbands-soccer-team_1048436|title=Robbie Williams – Robbie Williams Disbands Soccer Team|date=31 October 2007|work=contactmusic.com|access-date=4 January 2011}}{{cite news | first = Paul | last = MacInnes | title = Robbie Williams and the case of the £200,000 | date = 31 October 2007 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/oct/31/popandrock.oasis | work = The Guardian | access-date = 23 January 2014}}

In January 2024, Williams was named president of Port Vale Football Club in Stoke-on-Trent.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-27 |title=Robbie Williams: Singer named Port Vale club president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-68117286 |access-date=2024-01-27 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In 2018, it was announced that Williams and Guy Chambers would write the music and lyrics (with a book by Mark Ravenhill) for the stage musical adaptation of David Walliams' children's book The Boy in the Dress for the Royal Shakespeare Company. The musical opened in November 2019 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon where it ran for an 18-week season, earning rave reviews from the critics and audiences.{{Cite news|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Robbie-Williams-to-Pen-the-Score-for-Musical-Adaptation-of-the-Childrens-Novel-THE-BOY-IN-THE-DRESS-20180524|title=Robbie Williams to Pen the Score for Musical Adaptation of the Children's Novel THE BOY IN THE DRESS|last=Criscitiello|first=Alexa|work=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=27 May 2018|language=en}}

During his childhood, Williams was influenced by swing musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. The first records he listened to were released by Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Cole Porter, which belonged to his mother. At the age of 10, he got into hip hop and started collecting electro albums;{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams interview with Jools Holland (13/11/1998). |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snyRWgEYdnw |access-date=20 March 2020}} and when he started his solo career in the '90s, he was influenced by Britpop bands such as Oasis, Blur and Pulp.{{cite news |title=Life Thru a Lens Review by John Bush. |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/life-thru-a-lens-mw0000462941#:~:text=Life%20Thru%20a%20Lens%20Review&text=Beginning%20with%20the%20joyous%20%22Lazy,outrageous%2C%20utterly%20enjoyable%20pop%20music. |access-date=29 May 2022}}

As a singer, his influences include George Michael, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley and Bono.{{cite news |title=Robbie Loves Bono. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh-gdX2LG8E |access-date=29 May 2022}} He worked with Jones several times throughout his career: They performed together at the Brit Awards in 1998; the following year, they recorded a cover of the song "Are You Gonna Go My Way" for Jones' album Reload; and in 2012, Williams and Jones worked together again on the song "On My Own", b-side of his single "Different".

Williams also feels great admiration for Freddie Mercury{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/robbie-williams-turned-to-freddie-mercury-1698408|title=Robbie Williams turned to Freddie Mercury for tour inspiration|last=People|first=Sunday|website=mirror|date=18 June 2011|access-date=17 April 2016}} and Queen. In 2001, Williams, Brian May and Roger Taylor released a new version of "We Are the Champions" for the movie A Knight's Tale. He also revealed that he was once asked to be the new frontman of Queen, but that he turned down the offer because of his "very low self-esteem". He said: "I just thought I'd save them the audacity of me even trying to step on a stage and be in the same echelon as Freddie Mercury. Because he, to me, is angelic. He's godlike. It was just too scary."{{cite news |title=RobbieWilliams refused Queen member. |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a31267930/robbie-williams-refused-queen-member/|access-date=29 May 2022}}

Williams has revealed that he does the "Elvis Prayer" before going on stage at every concert. In 2000, he got a tattoo of the phrase "Elvis Grant Me Serenity"{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams tattoos. |url=https://www.rwdb.info/tattoos/|access-date=29 May 2022}} and he also played as an Elvis impersonator in the music video for his song "Advertising Space" (2005).

Speaking to BBC Radio 2 in February 2021, Williams cited Ian Dury as his biggest inspiration as a lyricist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0965q90|title=Gary Barlow – We Write The Songs – Series 2 – Robbie Williams – BBC Sounds|website=BBC|access-date=11 February 2021|archive-date=6 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206092535/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0965q90|url-status=live}} He sings on "You're the Why", the final track of the posthumously released album Ten More Turnips from the Tip (2002).{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/n8cz/|title=BBC – Music – Review of Ian Dury – Ten Turnips From The Tip|first=Chris|last=Jones|website=BBC|access-date=11 February 2021|archive-date=16 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316145742/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/n8cz/|url-status=live}}

File:Estatua de RW, Madame Tussauds.jpg in London]]

By 2008, Williams had sold more albums in the UK than any other British solo artist in history.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/01_january/05/one_superstars.shtml |title=The One And Only |publisher=BBC |date=5 January 2008}} His record sales stand at over 77 million worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.{{cite news|url=http://www.shieldsgazette.com/what-s-on/robbie-williams-makes-jarrow-girl-s-dream-come-true-1-6693089|title=Robbie Williams makes Jarrow girl's dream come true|first=Shields Gazette|last=Reporter|publisher=Shields Gazette|date=25 June 2014|access-date=27 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202155524/http://www.shieldsgazette.com/what-s-on/robbie-williams-makes-jarrow-girl-s-dream-come-true-1-6693089|archive-date=2 February 2015|url-status=dead}} Williams was entered in The Guinness Book of World Records when, after he announced his World Tour for 2006, 1.6 million tickets were sold in one day.{{cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Enters-The-Guinness-Book-of-World-Records-13394.shtml |title=Robbie Williams Enters The Guinness Book of World Records |publisher=News.softpedia.com |access-date=23 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515094603/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Enters-The-Guinness-Book-of-World-Records-13394.shtml |archive-date=15 May 2011 }}

{{Quote box|width=23%|align=left|quote="It's his self-deprecating sense of humour — in person and in his lyrics — that helps explain his wide appeal in Australia. Perhaps only Pink and Ed Sheeran have such a wide mix of demographics at their concerts; that's why Williams will play to nearly 60,000 people in Victoria alone."|source=—Cameron Adams on the appeal of Williams.{{cite news |title=Is Robbie Williams the last great showman of modern pop music? |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/is-robbie-williams-the-last-great-showman-of-modern-pop-music/news-story/4e879389a0270500ce92329aea6c1f6f |work=News.com.au. |date=17 June 2018}}}}

Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian wrote that Williams is "a perfect meeting of ego, self-deprecation and hits", adding "there really is nobody else, in pop music anyway, who combines monumental hamminess and bone-deep vulnerability quite so effectively."{{cite web | url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/sep/25/robbie-williams-review-a-perfect-meeting-of-ego-self-deprecation-and-hits | title= Robbie Williams review – a perfect meeting of ego, self-deprecation and hits | work=The Guardian | first=Caroline | last=Sullivan | date=25 September 2016 | access-date=16 June 2018}}

Williams has won significantly more Brit Awards than any other artist, a record eighteen—Best British Male Artist four times, two awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music and the 2017 Brits Icon for his "lasting impact on British culture", and eight German ECHO awards.{{cite web |url=http://brits.co.uk/show/2005/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702072306/http://brits.co.uk/show/2005/ |title=The BRIT Awards 2005 |publisher=BRIT Awards |archive-date=2 July 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://rhein-zeitung.de/on/07/03/28/magazin/musik/t/rzo323926.html |title=Echo-Verleihung mit hohem Kreischfaktor |publisher=Rhein-Zeitung Online |language=de |access-date=30 November 2008 |archive-date=15 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115074411/http://rhein-zeitung.de/on/07/03/28/magazin/musik/t/rzo323926.html |url-status=dead }} In 2004, he was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, after being voted as the Greatest artist of the 1990s.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4005595.stm |title=Robbie joins UK pop Hall of Fame |work=BBC News |date=12 November 2004}} He appeared in the 2009 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records when his sell-out show at the BBC Electric Proms at London's Roundhouse was screened by more than 250 cinemas across 23 countries to set a new record for the most simultaneous cinematic screenings of a live concert.{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams comeback concert sets world record |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6389336/Robbie-Williams-comeback-concert-sets-world-record.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6389336/Robbie-Williams-comeback-concert-sets-world-record.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Telegraph |date=19 June 2018}}{{cbignore}} Williams appears in the list of the all-time Top 100 biggest selling albums in the UK six times–with four albums in the top 60.{{cite news |title=UK's 100 best-selling |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article638531.ece?print=yes&randnum=1217442812968 |work=The Times |location=London |access-date=26 November 2006 |first1=Jenny |last1=Booth |first2=Sadie |last2=Gray}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In 2005, the British public voted "Angels" the song they would most like played at their funeral.{{cite news |title=Angels 'favourite funeral song' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4336113.stm |access-date=17 June 2018 |work=BBC |date=10 March 2005}} In October 2009, it was announced that he would receive the Outstanding Contribution to British Music award at the 2010 Brit Awards.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8321080.stm | title=Robbie to get lifetime Brit Award | publisher=BBC.co.uk |date=22 October 2009 |access-date=23 December 2009}} In September 2010, Williams switched on the Blackpool illuminations, stating that it was one of the greatest honours he had achieved.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-11174416|title=Robbie Williams switches on Blackpool illuminations|publisher=The BBC|date=3 September 2010|access-date=21 September 2010}} In October, Media Control named Williams the most successful album-artist of the millennium due to the fact that he had spent No. 1 on the German Albums Chart for 38 weeks since 2000. He also reached that chart's Top Ten 135 times.{{cite web |url=http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/robbie-williams-ist-der-erfolgreichste-album-kuenstler-des-jahrtausends.html |title=Robbie Williams ist der erfolgreichste Album-Künstler des Jahrtausends – media control |publisher=Media-control.de |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=2 October 2011 |archive-date=14 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171606/http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/robbie-williams-ist-der-erfolgreichste-album-kuenstler-des-jahrtausends.html |url-status=dead }} He was ranked at No. 11 the greatest frontman of all time in a reader poll by Q.{{cite news |title=Liam Gallagher crowned best-frontman. |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/7519708/Liam-Gallagher-crowned-best-frontman.html |access-date=26 March 2010 |work=Q Magazine}}

Contemporary artists have expressed their admiration for Williams and cited him as one of their influences. The English rapper Example admitted his obsession with Williams and how he had been inspired by Williams' performances when he was younger. He described his own performance on stage as "a combination of rap, rock and Robbie Williams".{{cite news |title=Example admits obsession Robbie Williams. |url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/example-admits-obsession-robbie-williams-26137072

|access-date=29 May 2022}}{{deprecated inline|date=March 2023}}

Ed Sheeran, in an interview with El Hormiguero, revealed the first album he ever bought was Life Thru a Lens.{{cite news |title=Ed Sheeran el primer disco que tuve fue uno de Robbie Williams. |url=https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/4888261/0/ed-sheeran-en-el-hormiguero-el-primer-disco-que-tuve-fue-uno-de-robbie-williams-en-cinta-de-casete/

|access-date=29 May 2022}} Olly Murs paid tribute to Williams' "Angels" music video in the music video for his single "Hand on Heart". One of Louis Tomlinson's earliest influences was Williams, of whom he declared he is a big fan.{{cite news |title=One Direction Book. |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=NU3uDwAAQBAJ&dq=harry+styles+robbie+williams+influence&pg=PT58|access-date=29 May 2022| last1=French | first1=Holly | date=30 June 2020 }}

In 2006, Williams emigrated to Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/robbie-williams/news/155503-exclusive-robbie-williams-interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928065958/http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/robbie-williams/news/155503-exclusive-robbie-williams-interview|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2009|title=Robbie Williams Interview|publisher=MTV UK|access-date=2 April 2010}} He briefly moved back to the UK in 2009 when he bought an £8.5 million mansion in Compton Bassett, but sold the property a year later to move back to Los Angeles.

In 2016, he moved into Woodland House, a £17 million mansion in the Kensington area of London.{{Cite web |last=Kirk |first=Tristan |date=2017-05-03 |title=Robbie Williams' builders fined for disturbing neighbour Jimmy Page |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/robbie-williams-builders-fined-ps3-000-for-disturbing-neighbour-jimmy-page-a3529551.html |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} His next-door neighbour there is Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, who has lived in The Tower House since 1972. In 2018, Page delayed Williams' plans for an underground swimming pool, stating that construction work would damage The Tower House.{{Cite news |date=2018-05-30 |title=Jimmy Page delays Robbie Williams's underground swimming pool |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/jimmy-page-delays-robbie-williams-s-underground-swimming-pool-1.3513595 |access-date=2025-03-11 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}{{cite book |last=Crook |first=J. Mordaunt |date=2013 |title=William Burges and the High Victorian Dream |location=London |publisher=Frances Lincoln |isbn=978-0-711-23349-2 |oclc=995483842 |page=341}} In 2017, he sold his mansion in Beverly Hills to DJ Khaled for $9.9 million.{{Cite web |last=Trulia |date=2017-01-11 |title=DJ Khaled Buys The Keys To A $10 Million Mansion From Robbie Williams |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/trulia/2017/01/11/dj-khaled-buys-the-keys-to-a-10-million-mansion-from-robbie-williams/#1dc0f2fb192a |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="Two of his biggest hits, 'Come Undone' and 'Feel,' were both exercises in melodic self loathing. It felt like a public airing of very private pain."|source=—Robbie Williams, O2 London, review, The Telegraph.{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams, O2 London, review |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/9699088/Robbie-Williams-O2-London-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/9699088/Robbie-Williams-O2-London-review.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 June 2018}}{{cbignore}}}}

Williams has suffered from mental illness, obesity, self-esteem issues, alcoholism, and substance abuse.{{cite book |first=Chris |last=Heath |title=Feel: Robbie Williams |publisher=Ebury |location=London |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-09-189753-6}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/robbies-redtop-revenge-or-how-a-star-got-his-own-back-on-the-paparazzi-558178.html |title=Robbie's red-top revenge. Or how a star got his own back on the paparazzi |work=The Independent |access-date=29 August 2004 |location=London |first=Anthony |last=Barnes |date=29 August 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206165446/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/robbies-redtop-revenge-or-how-a-star-got-his-own-back-on-the-paparazzi-558178.html |archive-date=6 February 2009}} He has discussed how his friend Elton John booked him into a clinic to cope with his drug use that emerged from the depression he was experiencing while still in Take That.

Williams revealed in 2011 he had been experiencing lethargy caused by a type of hormone imbalance called andropause for a number of years, and thought at first it was a return of his depression.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/williams-suffering-from-hormone-imbalance_1169373 |title=Robbie Williams | Williams Suffering From Hormone Imbalance |magazine=Contactmusic |date=6 October 2010 |access-date=2 October 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/take-that-singer-robbie-williams-admits-to-injecting-himself-with-testosterone-weekly/story-e6frewyr-1226068200611|title=Take That singer Robbie Williams admits to injecting himself with testosterone weekly |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=Australia |date=2 June 2011 |access-date=2 October 2011}} In a June 2020 interview with Weight Watchers Magazine, he revealed that he had developed an addiction to online golf games.{{cite news|url=https://www.drewreportsnews.com/2020/07/03/robbie-williams-has-an-addiction-to-playing-golf-online/|title=Robbie Williams has an "addiction" to playing golf online.|last=Simms|first=Drew|date=3 July 2020|work=DrewReportsNews|access-date=3 July 2020|archive-date=3 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703145834/https://www.drewreportsnews.com/2020/07/03/robbie-williams-has-an-addiction-to-playing-golf-online/|url-status=dead}} Williams also has dyslexia, dyscalculia,{{cite web|url= https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctrc0vNqn4o/ |title= Robbie Williams's Instagram Post |website= Instagram |date= 19 June 2023}} and ADHD.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6s5WvnD1k0 |title=Robbie Williams & Michael Gracey take to the stage for the AACTA Award for Best Film (Better Man) |date=2025-02-07 |last=AACTA |access-date=2025-03-17 |via=YouTube}}

File:Robbie Williams, Roundhouse, London (Apple Music Festival) (29312808023).jpg, visible on his neck]]

Williams has a keen interest in UFOs and related paranormal phenomena, and researched the subject during his 2007–2008 sabbatical.{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Ronson |title=I'm loving aliens instead |url=http://music.guardian.co.uk/pop/story/0,,2274878,00.html |work=The Guardian |date=19 April 2008 |access-date=19 April 2008 | location=London}} He participated in a documentary for BBC Radio 4 with Jon Ronson about the paranormal. The documentary followed them to a UFO convention in Nevada, during which Williams linked his obsession in the paranormal with the desire to understand his childhood fears of his mother's belief in "the world's mysteries, elves, demons, [and] witchcraft".{{cite book|last=Ronson|first=Jon|title=Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries|publisher=Riverhead Hardcover|year=2012|page=[https://archive.org/details/lostatseajonrons00jonr/page/94 94]|isbn=978-1594631375|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/lostatseajonrons00jonr/page/94}}

Williams featured in a 2018 TV documentary Hunt for the Skinwalker by Jeremy Corbell, and revealed that his partner Ayda Field dissuaded him from buying the Skinwalker Ranch when it became for sale.{{Cite web |last=Bassett |first=Jordan |date=2018-09-11 |title=He's loving aliens instead – Robbie Williams goes on a 'Hunt For The Skinwalker' |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/hark-the-welcome-return-of-robbie-williams-alien-conspiracy-theorist-2377732 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2018-08-06 |title=Robbie Williams set for alien documentary |url=https://nz.news.yahoo.com/robbie-williams-set-alien-documentary-122103764.html |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Bang Showbiz |publisher=Yahoo News |language=en-NZ}}

Williams became an ordained minister with the Universal Ministries to officiate the wedding of friends.{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1388277/Robbie-Williams-conducts-wedding.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1388277/Robbie-Williams-conducts-wedding.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=PJ | last=Bonthrone | title=Robbie Williams conducts wedding | date=20 March 2002}}{{cbignore}}

Williams has a number of tattoos, many of which are related to British culture. These include:{{Cite web |last=Rodger |first=James |date=2016-11-14 |title=Robbie Williams' daughter, 4, wants tattoos - and Ayda is livid |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/robbie-williams-4-year-old-12170273 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Coventry Telegraph |language=en}}

• an Ace of Spades, commemorating heavy metal band Motörhead.
• a fez, common headwear of comedian Tommy Cooper.
• the logo of The Saint, tribute to Roger Moore who played the titular character on the TV show.{{Cite web |last=Draper |first=James |date=2017-06-10 |title=Robbie Williams gets Roger Moore-inspired body art to honour late Bond star |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/tattooll-nicely-robbie-williams-gets-10597545 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Daily Mirror |language=en}}
• the spectacles logo of The Two Ronnies, the comedy sketch show of the TV double act of Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett.
• the "skip dance" pose of Morecambe and Wise, another TV comic double act (Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise).
• a Stafford knot, a symbol of his home county Staffordshire.
• the logo of his former group Take That.
• the coat of arms of Burslem, the town in Stoke-on-Trent where he grew up.
• the notes and words of the first line of the chorus of the Beatles' song "All You Need Is Love" on his lower back.

Williams became a fan of his hometown football team Port Vale FC as a child after his father became the licensee of the team's social club. He has played in a testimonial match for club legend Neil Aspin and helped to design the playing strip for the 2020–21 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robbie-williams-cheering-port-vale-3603657|title=Robbie Williams will be cheering on Port Vale at tonight's game|last=Baggaley|first=Michael|date=2019-12-03|website=stokesentinel|access-date=2019-12-03}}{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Patrick Shanahan and the inside story of Port Vale kits |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/patrick-shanahan-and-the-inside-story#poll-120984 |access-date=19 November 2023 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=19 November 2023}} He is also a supporter of the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League.{{cite web|url=https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1468487/to-be-a-carlton-fan-robbie-williams-blues-finally-link-up|title="To be a Carlton fan": Robbie Williams, Blues finally link up|publisher=Carlton Football Club|first=Cristian|last=Filippo|date=23 November 2023|accessdate=25 February 2024}}

In 2020, Williams received backlash for defending the widely debunked Pizzagate conspiracy theory.{{cite web|date=2020-06-25|title=Robbie Williams suggests debunked Pizzagate conspiracy theory is true|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-suggests-debunked-pizzagate-conspiracy-theory-is-true-the-right-questions-havent-been-asked-2695635|access-date=2021-03-18|website=NME|language=en-GB}}{{cite news |last=Rosseinsky |first=Katie |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/robbie-williams-pizzagate-conspiracy-theory-comments-a4480391.html |title=Robbie Williams faces backlash over bizarre Pizzagate conspiracy theory comments |location=London |newspaper=Evening Standard |date=2020-06-25 |access-date=2022-02-15}}

At a February 2025 auction of memorabilia and personal items, belonging to Eric Morecambe, long-time fan Williams bought his distinctive imitation tortoiseshell Metzler spectacles and pipe for £20,000, much more than their £2,000 to £4,000 estimate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp82lg6vjn1o|title=Robbie Williams paid £20,000 for Eric Morecambe's glasses|date=9 February 2025|website=BBC News}}

File:Robbie Williams Cannes 2015 2.jpg in 2015]]

In 1997, Williams was in a month-long relationship with Spice Girls singer Melanie Chisholm;{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/ex-spice-girl-mel-c-opens-1693592|title= Ex-Spice Girl Mel C opens up on affair with Robbie Williams |work=Mirror|date=18 December 2007}} also in 2000, Williams was in a short-term relationship with Geri Halliwell, another member of Spice Girls.{{cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a45740574/robbie-williams-geri-halliwell-relationship/|title=Robbie Williams and Geri Halliwell: When did they date? And why did they breakup?|last=Venn|first=Lydia|date=4 November 2023|work=Cosmopolitan|access-date=1 March 2024}}

In December 1997, he met All Saints singer Nicole Appleton while filming Top of the Pops.[http://members.fortunecity.com/allsaints55/nic.htm Nicole in All Saints A-Z] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020911075119/http://members.fortunecity.com/allsaints55/nic.htm |date=11 September 2002}}{{Better reference|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=March 2025}} The following year, they started a on-and-off relationship, and at one point got engaged.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/robbies-williams-heartbreaking-response-after-31385059|title=Robbie Williams' heartbreaking response after Nicole Appleton was 'forced' to terminate the pregnancy the|last=Bains|first=Sanjeeta|date=11 November 2023|work=Mirror|access-date=1 March 2024}} In an autobiography she co-authored with her sister Natalie titled Together, Appleton revealed that she terminated the pregnancy of her and Williams' baby after pressure from her record company, causing an immense emotional strain on their relationship. They broke up by 1999.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11914996.chapter-and-verse-of-life-at-the-top-profile-nicole-appleton-her-book-tells-of-the-abortion-of-the-baby-she-was-having-by-a-superstar-but-it-also-unwittingly-asks-uncomfortable-questions-about-the-nature-of-celebrity-reports-jennifer-cunningham/|title=Chapter and verse of life at the top profile Nicole Appleton|date=28 September 2023|work=The Herald|access-date=1 March 2024}} Williams would state in later interviews that he was ashamed of his actions during their relationship, citing himself as a "fucking awful boyfriend" [to Appleton]. Their relationship was portrayed heavily in the 2024 biopic Better Man.

In May 2006, Williams started dating American actress Ayda Field. She was featured in the UFO documentary that Williams did for BBC Radio 4{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/apr/19/popandrock.spaceexploration |title=Jon Ronson heads deep into the Nevada desert with UFO obsessed Robbie Williams |work=The Guardian |date= 19 April 2008|access-date=23 December 2009 | location=London}} and took part in a field investigation he did in Trout Lake, Washington, in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread389179/pg1 |title=And Robbie Williams Investigate UFOs at Gilliland Ranch, page 1 |publisher=Abovetopsecret.com |access-date=23 December 2009}} Williams and Field wed at his home in Mulholland Estates in Beverly Hills on 7 August 2010.{{cite news|last=McIntyre|first=Samantha|date=7 August 2010|url=https://people.com/tag/robbie-williams/|title=Pop Star Robbie Williams Weds|access-date=8 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815211447/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20408826%2C00.html|archive-date=15 August 2010|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/7934272/Robbie-Williams-marries-Ayda-Field-the-wedding-in-detail.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/7934272/Robbie-Williams-marries-Ayda-Field-the-wedding-in-detail.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Robbie Williams marries Ayda Field: the wedding in detail|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=9 March 2017|language=en}}{{cbignore}} They have four children: daughters Theodora and Colette,{{cite web|date=2019-03-01|title=Robbie Williams and Ayda Field welcome surrogate baby – BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45444998|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301050233/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45444998|archive-date=2019-03-01|access-date=2019-12-29}} and sons Charlton and Beau.{{cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/2020021484816/robbie-williams-ayda-field-baby-news/|title=Robbie Williams and wife Ayda Field delight fans with surprise baby news|date=2020-02-14}} Williams's wife is Ashkenazi Jewish.{{Cite web |title=Jewish bridesmaid will be part of the royal wedding party on Friday |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/the-diary/jewish-bridesmaid-named-royal-wedding-party-princess-eugenie-1.470725 |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=www.thejc.com}} Williams considers his children to be Jewish.{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Brigit |title=Robbie Williams talks about his Jewish kids |url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/robbie-williams-talks-about-his-jewish-kids/ |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=www.jewishnews.co.uk |date=13 December 2022 |language=en-US}}

There have been questions about Williams's sexuality, with some speculating that he may be bisexual.{{cite web|url=http://www.queerty.com/robbie-williams-swings-both-ways-but-is-really-just-straight-pretending-to-be-gay-20131115/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118070712/http://www.queerty.com/robbie-williams-swings-both-ways-but-is-really-just-straight-pretending-to-be-gay-20131115/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-11-18|title=Robbie Williams "Swings Both Ways" But Is Really Just "Straight Pretending To Be Gay" / Queerty|date=2013-11-18|access-date=2019-12-29}}{{Additional citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In the 2011 Sunday Times Rich List of wealthiest people in the British music industry, his wealth was estimated at £90 million. Williams is a lifelong supporter of football club Port Vale, based in his home town of Stoke-on-Trent, and in February 2006 he bought £240,000 worth of shares in the club, making him the largest shareholder.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/02/27/robbie_williams_vale_stake_feature.shtml |title=BBC Stoke & Staffordshire – Robbie buys into Vale |access-date=17 December 2006}} However, the club entered administration on 9 March 2012, and as a result Williams lost all of his shares in the club and received only a fraction of his original investment back.{{cite news|title=Port Vale formally enter administration|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17230886|access-date=9 March 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=9 March 2012}}

File:Robbie Williams SoccerAid2006 Pre-Match Training.jpg]]

Williams has set up a charity in his home town of Stoke-on-Trent entitled Give It Sum, its goal being to "improve local conditions and strengthen community life by giving money to those who are disadvantaged."{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/robbie/giveitsum/index.shtml |title=Robbie's Givin It Sum... |access-date=26 May 2007 |publisher=BBC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041212055715/http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/robbie/giveitsum/index.shtml |archive-date=12 December 2004 }}

Williams, with the help of friend Jonathan Wilkes, has organised charity football matches called Soccer Aid to raise money for UNICEF UK. A mixture of non-football celebrities and professional football players have played Soccer Aid matches in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 at Old Trafford, and Etihad Stadium in Manchester and Wembley Stadium, Stamford Bridge, and the London Stadium in London.{{cite web |url=http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=60916 |title=Robbie Williams Kicks for Charity|work=Novinite=Sofia News Agency |date=23 March 2006}}

Williams has been the Patron of the children's charity the Donna Louise Trust, based in Stoke-on-Trent, since 2002. The charity offers respite and palliative care to terminally ill and life-limited children who are not expected to live past the age of 16.{{cite web |url=http://www.donnalouisetrust.org/ |title=Donna Louise Trust |publisher=Donna Louise Trust |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-date=25 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125052020/http://www.donnalouisetrust.org/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Robbie Williams}}

Williams has won various awards, with some of his more recognised accolades being the Brit Awards. He has won a record eighteen Brit Awards, which also include the Brits he won with Take That, making him the most successful artist in the history of the awards. He has also won 8 Echo Awards from the German music industry.

{{Main|Robbie Williams discography|List of songs recorded by Robbie Williams|Robbie Williams videography}}

Studio albums as a solo artist

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• Life thru a Lens (1997)
• I've Been Expecting You (1998)
• Sing When You're Winning (2000)
• Swing When You're Winning (2001)
• Escapology (2002)
• Intensive Care (2005)
• Rudebox (2006)
• Reality Killed the Video Star (2009)
• Take the Crown (2012)
• Swings Both Ways (2013)
• The Heavy Entertainment Show (2016)
• The Christmas Present (2019)
• Britpop (2025)

See also

• Under the Radar Vol. 1 (2014)
• Under the Radar Vol. 2 (2017)
• Under the Radar Vol. 3 (2019)

{{col-2}}

Studio albums with Take That

• Take That & Party (1992)
• Everything Changes (1993)
• Nobody Else (1995)
• Progress (2010)

Studio albums with Lufthaus

• Visions, Vol. 1 (2023)

{{col-end}}

• Show Off Must Go On Tour (1997)
• Ego Has Landed Tour (1998)
• One More for the Rogue Tour (1998–99)
• 1999 Tour (1999) (Man, The Myth, The Tax Bill [a.k.a. Born To Be Mild], A Few Dollars More..., Get Your Coat Baby, You've Pulled!)
• The Sermon on the Mount Tour (2000–01)
• Weddings, Barmitzvahs & Stadiums Tour (2001)
• 2003 Tour (2003) (Weekends of Mass Distraction, Cock of Justice, Aussie Typo)
• Close Encounters Tour (2006)
• Take the Crown Stadium Tour (2013)
• Swings Both Ways Live (2014)
• Let Me Entertain You Tour (2015)
• The Heavy Entertainment Show Tour (2017–18)
• XXV Tour (2022–23)
• Britpop Tour (2025){{Cite web |last=Dunworth |first=Liberty |date=November 11, 2024 |title=Robbie Williams announces huge 2025 UK, Ireland and Europe tour |website=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-2025-uk-ireland-europe-tour-buy-tickets-3811519 |access-date=November 11, 2024}}

• Party Tour (1992–93)
• Everything Changes Tour (1993–94)
• Pops Tour (1994–95)
• Progress Live (2011)

• Robbie Williams Live in Las Vegas (2019)

Along the tours, Robbie Williams had various members in his band.

Current members

• Robbie Williams – lead vocals, guitar, tambourine (1997–present)
• Gary Nuttall – lead guitar, backing vocals (1997–present)
• Guy Chambers – keyboard, guitar, backing vocals (1997–2002; 2012–present)
• Jeremy Meehan – bass guitar, backing vocals (2004–present)
• Karl Brazil – drums (2009–present)
• Tom Longworth – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)
• Denosh Bennett – backing vocals (2012–present)
• Sara-Jane Skeete – backing vocals (2012–present)
• Nayanna Holley – backing vocals (2012–present)

Brass (Atlantic Horns)

• Ben Edwards – trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion (2012–present)
• Mike Kearsey – trombones, sousaphone, keyboards, percussion (2012–present)
• Mark Brown – saxophones, bass clarinet, acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2012–present)

Former members

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• Fil Eisler – bass, guitar, backing vocals (1997–2001)
• Andy Wallace – keyboard, tambourine (1997–1998; 2002)
• Steve "Smiley" Barnard – drums (1997)
• Chris Sharrock – drums (1998–2008)
• Alex Dickson – guitar (1998–2000)
• Claire Worrall – keyboard, guitar, backing vocals (1998–2007)
• Chris White – saxophone, flute (1999–2003)
• Paul Spong – saxophone, flute (1999–2003)
• Dave Bishop – trombone, flute (1999–2003)

{{col-2}}

• Neil Sidwell – trombone, flute (1999–2003)
• Simon Gardner – trumpet (1999–2003)
• Yolande Charles – bass, backing vocals (2000–2003)
• Tessa Niles – backing vocals (2000–2003)
• Katie Kissoon – backing vocals (2000–2003)
• Neil Taylor – guitar, backing vocals (2002–2012)
• Max Beesley – piano, percussion instrument (2002–2006)
• Stephen Duffy – guitar (2004–2006)
• Paul Beard – keyboard (2009–2012)

{{col-end}}

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{{reflist}}

• Chris Heath, Feel: Robbie Williams, 2004, Ebury. {{ISBN|978-0-09-189753-6}}.

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{{Wikiquote}}

• {{official website}}
• {{IMDb name}}
• {{allmusic}}

{{Robbie Williams}}

{{Robbie Williams singles}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Robbie Williams

|list =

{{Brit British Male}}

{{Brit Song of the Year}}

{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Male}}

{{UK best-selling albums (by year) 1990–2009}}

}}

{{Take That}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Robbie}}

Category:1974 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century English male actors

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Category:French-language singers of the United Kingdom

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