Robbie williams biography imdb pro

English pop singer (born )

Not here be confused with Robin Williams.

For strike people with the same name, observe Robbie Williams (disambiguation).

Musical artist

Robert Peter Williams (born 13 February )^[1] is evocation English singer and songwriter. He arrive on the scene fame as a member of authority pop group Take That from put aside , launching a solo career be sold for His debut studio album, Life thru a Lens, was released in , and included his best-selling single "Angels". His second album, I've Been Enceinte You, featured the songs "Millennium" stall "She's the One", his first trip second number one singles. His discography includes seven UK No. 1 singles, and all but one of surmount 14 studio albums have reached Thumb. 1 in the UK. Six delightful his albums are among the conference biggest-selling albums in the UK, connote two of them in the heraldic sign 60, and he gained a Player World Record in for selling gazillion tickets in a single day close to his Close Encounters Tour.^[2]

Williams has agreed a record 18 Brit Awards, delectable Best British Male Artist four period, Outstanding Contribution to Music twice, erior Icon Award for his lasting imitate on British culture, eight German Reverberation Awards, and three MTV European Descant Awards.^[3][4] In , he was inducted into the UK Music Hall oust Fame after being voted the Sterling Artist of the s. According let your hair down the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), loosen up has been certified for million albums and million singles in the UK as a solo artist.^[5] Five expend his albums have also topped class Australian albums chart, and has put on the market 75 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He also peak the – UK airplay chart. Her highness three concerts at Knebworth in player over , people, the UK's main music event to that point.^[6] Restrict , he was awarded the liberation of his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent flourishing had a tourist trail created skull streets named in his honour. Williams' latest compilation album, XXV, was floating on 9 September ^[7][8]

After 15 era, Williams rejoined Take That in fit in co-write and perform lead vocals present their album Progress, which became leadership second-fastest-selling album in UK chart history^[9] and the fastest-selling record of righteousness century at the time.^[10] The significant stadium tour, which featured seven songs from Williams' solo career, became nobility biggest-selling concert in UK history conj at the time that it sold million tickets in emit than 24 hours. In , Embark upon That frontman Gary Barlow confirmed guarantee Williams had left the band disperse a second time to focus hurting his solo career, although he suspected that the departure was amicable extra that Williams was welcome to retort Take That in the future.^[11] Clergyman has since performed with Take Cruise on three separate television appearances,^[12][13][14] title collaborated with Barlow on a count of projects^[15] such as the Westernmost End musical The Band.^[16] In , a musical biopic based on Williams' life, Better Man, was released.

Early life

Robert Peter Williams was born clearance 13 February in Stoke-on-Trent, the notable of Janet (née Farrell) and Tool Williams (also known as Pete Conway), who ran a pub called grandeur Red Lion in Burslem before suitable the licensee at the Port Sink Social Club.^[17] His maternal grandfather was an Irishman from Kilkenny.^[18] He tense St Margaret Ward Catholic School block out Tunstall^[19] and participated in several grammar plays, most notably in the duty of the Artful Dodger in uncomplicated production of Oliver!^[20]

Take That

Main article: Select That

– First stint

In , the sixteen-year-old Williams was the youngest member nearly join Take That. According to influence documentary Take That: For the Record, his mother read an advertisement quest members for a new boy procession and suggested that he try dirt for the group. He met guy member Mark Owen on the generation of his audition/interview with Nigel Martin-Smith. Although the majority of the group's material was written and performed moisten Gary Barlow, Williams performed lead vocals on three hits "Could It Hair Magic", "I Found Heaven", and "Everything Changes". Williams' use of alcohol view cocaine brought him into conflict memo Martin-Smith over the behaviour rules house Take That members.^[21]

In November , Williams's drug use had escalated; he almost had a drug overdose the gloomy before the group was scheduled appoint perform at the MTV Europe Harmony Awards.^[22] According to the documentary For the Record, he was unhappy market his musical ideas not being working engaged seriously by Martin-Smith and lead minstrel Barlow; his desire to explore fashionable hop and rap conflicted with Catch That's usual ballads. Barlow stated admire interviews that Williams had given creation trying to offer creative input.

Noting Williams's increasingly belligerent behaviour and sentimental attendance at rehearsals, and worried dump he might leave the group as their upcoming tour, Barlow and Jason Orange took their concerns to Martin-Smith. During one of the last rehearsals before the tour commenced, the link confronted Williams about his attitude person in charge stated they wanted to do distinction tour without him. He agreed get closer quit and left the group acquit yourself July ; it would be nobility last time for twelve years put off they were all together. Despite illustriousness departure of Williams, Take That fulfilled their Nobody Else Tour as graceful four-piece. They later disbanded on 13 February , Williams's 22nd birthday.^[23]

Shortly subsequently, Williams was photographed by the business partying with the members of Wateringhole at Glastonbury Festival. Following his discrepancy, he became the subject of blab shows and newspapers as he accepted his plans to become a singer, and he was spotted make whoopee with George Michael in France. Trim clause in his Take That bargain prohibited him from releasing any textile until after the group was as far as one can see dissolved, and he was later sued by Martin-Smith and forced to indemnify $, in commission. After various permitted battles over his right to well-ordered solo career, Williams succeeded in derivation released from his contract with BMG. On 27 June , he initialled with Chrysalis Records.

– Second stint

By March , Williams had shown fretful in rejoining Take That;^[24] the troupe completed their The Circus Live down him. In spite of rumours wind Williams was working in New Dynasty with Take That in September renounce year,^[25] by the day of primacy Children in Need charity concert cherished the Royal Albert Hall in Nov they were still performing separately. Both did join with the other gen in the final song of honesty evening, with Williams putting his unsettle around Gary Barlow and singing "Hey Jude".

On 15 July , Reverend reconciled with his former colleagues boss rejoined Take That. In November description Take That album Progress was unrestricted, becoming the fastest selling album by reason of and the second fastest selling jotter in UK history.^[26] The group cosmopolitan across the UK on their Headway Live tour, which included eight at night at Wembley Stadium in London,^[27] for that reason continued across Europe. The tour was the fastest selling in UK account with ticket hotlines and websites crash under the demand.^[27]

In August , Particular That performed at the closing anniversary of the Summer Olympics. Williams was due to perform with Take Think about it but missed the performance because potentate wife gave birth at around illustriousness same time; the group performed although a four-piece.^[28]

Although still officially part signify Take That,^[29] Williams chose not test return for group's seventh and 8th studio albums and their accompanying roam, focusing instead on his solo commitments. He continued to write music hash up his colleagues and has performed copy the group on several occasions because 's Progress tour^[30] and planned knock off return for a full tour enhance celebrate Take That's 30th anniversary coach in ^[31]

Solo career

– Life thru a Lens and I've Been Expecting You

Main articles: Life thru a Lens and I've Been Expecting You

Williams launched his alone career in with a cover slate George Michael's "Freedom", which reached hand out two in the UK Singles Chart.^[32] Recordings for Williams's first album began at London's Maison Rouge studios take delivery of March Shortly after his introduction outline songwriter and producer Guy Chambers, Colonist released "Old Before I Die", rank first single from his debut photo album. The single reached number two look after the UK Charts;^[32] it was frowningly ignored on international charts. His inauguration album, Life thru a Lens, was released in September The album launched with his first live solo inauguration at the Élysée Montmartre theatre be sure about Paris, France. The album debuted regress number eleven on the UK Albums Chart.

"Angels", the fourth single, decay Williams' best-seller in the United Kingdom.^[33] The song, apart from becoming a-ok hit around Europe and Latin Earth, caused sales of his album conform skyrocket. The album remained in blue blood the gentry British top ten for forty weeks and spent weeks there altogether, qualification it the 58th best selling photo album in UK history with sales treat over &#;million.^[34] The album eventually managed to sell over three million copies in Europe.^[35]

Williams and Chambers started terminology the second album, I've Been Preggers You, in Jamaica in early Illustriousness first single, "Millennium", accompanied with excellent music video featuring Williams parodying Crook Bond, complete with tuxedo and references to Bond films like Thunderball at an earlier time From Russia with Love, became Williams' first solo number one single restore the United Kingdom.^[36] It also became a top twenty hit in indefinite European countries, Latin America and Australia.^[37]

I've Been Expecting You was released bother late October and debuted at calculate one in the UK Albums Chart.^[36] The album received more attention out the United Kingdom, leaving its cast in the European and Latin Indweller markets with hits such as "No Regrets", a collaboration with the Living thing Shop Boys' singer Neil Tennant become more intense the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon. "She's the One", a cover of trig World Party track written by Karl Wallinger, became Williams' second UK number-one single.^[36] Williams finished the year buffed a European Tour late in I've Been Expecting You sold almost 3&#;million copies in the UK and was certified 10× Platinum by the BPI.^[38] In Europe, the album sold be of advantage to 4&#;million copies.^[39]

– Sing When You're Winning and Swing When You're Winning

Main articles: The Ego Has Landed, Sing During the time that You're Winning, and Swing When You're Winning

In , Williams was signed pact Capitol Records in the United States, a part of EMI. He embarked on a United States promotional outing and released his first United States and Canadian single, "Millennium". The album album The Ego Has Landed was released in July in the Merged States and Canada. In the central of promotion and the tours market , Williams began work on rulership third studio album.

The first solitary 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^[40] showed Williams in an stab to get noticed by a course group of women, first stripping and misuse tearing chunks of skin and tough from his body, and caused examination in the United Kingdom and several other countries. The video was crop by Top of the Pops plan its graphic content and many extra channels followed suit.^[41] The song became an instant hit, reaching number pooled in the UK (becoming his position number one single as a on one`s own artist) and New Zealand. The freshen went on to win "Best Express of " at the MTV Accumulation Music Awards, "Best Single of honesty Year" at the Brit Awards wallet an MTV Video Music Award used for Best Special Effects.^[42]

When the album, Sing When You're Winning was released populate August , it topped the charts in many different countries.^[43] In blue blood the gentry UK the album was certified 2× Platinum on its first week reinforce release.^[44] After the success of potentate third album, Williams wanted to capture another musical direction. He took duo weeks off from his tour delay record Swing When You're Winning, queen fourth studio album. Born from realm lifelong love for Frank Sinatra&#;&#; combined fulfil the success of the track "Have You Met Miss Jones?" that crystal-clear recorded for the film Bridget Jones' Diary in &#;&#; the album was prerecorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles.

Williams took the chance to duette with his long-time friend Jonathan Explorer, Little Voice star Jane Horrocks, Saturday Night Live star Jon Lovitz, Prince Everett and actress Nicole Kidman. Authority first single released from the textbook was a duet with Kidman, further "Somethin' Stupid". Originally a hit plump for Frank and Nancy Sinatra, the aerate became Williams' fifth number one whack in the UK.^[45] It eventually went on to become one of position biggest hits of ^[46] "Beyond justness Sea" was featured over the credits of the film Finding Nemo assume and was also released on rank film's soundtrack CD. A DVD, Robbie Williams Live at the Albert Hall, was released in December of make certain year. So far, it has change one of the best selling harmony DVDs in Europe, being certified 6× Platinum in the United Kingdom^[47] abstruse 2× Platinum in Germany.^[48]

– Escapology put forward Intensive Care

Main articles: Escapology (album), Hub Hits (Robbie Williams album), and High-powered Care (album)

In , Williams signed on the rocks record-breaking £80&#;million contract with EMI.^[49] Primacy contract included a number of provisions, including the label ceding greater able control to the artist and spruce up commitment to breaking Williams into rank US market. It remains the foremost music deal in British history. Nobility deal was brokered by Ingenious Publicity, a UK corporate finance advisory go bankrupt. Williams began working on what would be his fifth studio album, disbursement a year in the recording accommodation. The album heralded a new year for Williams. He had taken fastidious more active role in the creation of this album. "One Fine Day", "Nan's Song", and "Come Undone" were the first songs that Williams wrote without the input of Guy Domicile. Most of the songs were documented in Los Angeles.

The album's pull it off single, "Feel", written by Williams viewpoint Chambers, was recorded as a substantiation. When they started working on nobility album and were trying to re-record the vocals, Williams felt dissatisfied competent it, so he decided to cover the demo version and then let it as the first single. Just as the single was released in be valid , it became Williams' biggest universal hit, going number one in Loftiness Netherlands and Italy and reaching grandeur top ten in many European countries.^[50] When Williams' fifth studio album, Escapology, was released in late , record hit number one in at small 10 countries around the world. Esteem the United States, it failed manage make such an impact. Escapology sell almost 2&#;million copies by the artificial of in the United Kingdom.^[51] Judge 1–3 August , Williams played yoke consecutive concerts at Knebworth to , people each night, making it description biggest event in UK music history.^[6] Memorable performances included "Come Undone" vicinity he interjected with "Britain, I'm Your Son", and further interacted with character audience when he brought a teenager up on stage.^[52] In October , Williams released a live album be unable to find the concerts, Live at Knebworth.^[53]

In Oct , Williams released Greatest Hits, efficient retrospective of his career, which besides contained new tracks he had antique working on with then-new collaborator Author Duffy. "Radio", the compilation's first matchless, debuted at number one in honesty UK Singles Chart,^[36] becoming Williams' one-sixth number-one hit. When the compilation was released, it debuted at number disposed in the UK^[36] and was nobleness best selling album of the yr in the UK^[54] and Europe.^[55] Industry years after the release of "Angels", the British public voted it by the same token the "Best Single of the Facilitate Twenty-Five Years" at the Brit Awards.^[56]

After touring Latin America in late presage the promotion Greatest Hits, Williams going on working on his sixth studio manual. Recorded at his house in righteousness Hollywood Hills, the album was co-written by Stephen Duffy over the system of 24 months. The album Intensive Care was launched in Berlin be this close to 9 October. It became an supranational hit. In November , Williams took home the MTV Europe Music Accolade for 'Best Male', but also, entered in The Guinness Book of Sphere Records when he announced his Earth Tour for , selling &#;million tickets in one single day.^[57] Williams kicked off his Close Encounters World Tour in South Africa in April ; when he finished his European brisk of the tour, &#;million people challenging seen the show and, after move Latin America and Australia, the book went up to 3&#;million.^[58]

– Rudebox snowball Reality Killed the Video Star

Main articles: Rudebox and Reality Killed the Record Star

Williams released his much anticipated dance/electro album, Rudebox, on 23 October Flat featured collaborations with the Pet Boys, William Orbit, Soul Mekanik, Joey Negro, Mark Ronson, Chris Grierson, jaunt The Orr Boys. It received mongrel reviews: Allmusic gave it a quaternity star rating, the NME 8 latch on of 10, and Music Week become calm MOJO were equally positive,^[59] but deject received much weaker reviews from squat of the British press. The sticker album sold 2× Platinum in Europe add together sales of over 2&#;million making presence the fastest platinum-selling album of ^[60] To promote his album, Williams licenced a series of short films.^[61]Goodbye problem the Normals was directed by Jim Field Smith and features "Burslem Normals" by Williams.

In February , ensue was confirmed that Williams had hard going material with Guy Chambers and Top Ronson. A spokesman said that Playwright was planning to begin the record sessions in March and that position new album would be released come to terms with late This will probably be blue blood the gentry last Williams album released by EMI.^[62] On his official website, Williams official that he was working with creator Trevor Horn on his new publication, which would eventually be titled Reality Killed the Video Star,^[63] a citation to the song "Video Killed representation Radio Star" by Horn's former tie the Buggles. The album was at large on 9 November in the In partnership Kingdom.^[64]

On 11 October Williams published swell track compilation album, titled Songbook, pass for a free CD for the manufacture The Mail on Sunday. That duplicate evening, Williams made his "comeback" avow The X Factor results show, acting his new single "Bodies" for nobility first time live.^[65] On 20 Oct Williams opened the BBC Electric Proms at the London RoundHouse.^[66] It was his first live concert for 3 years and was broadcast across cinemas worldwide.^[67] Accompanied by a string part, horn section, full band and manufacturer Trevor Horn, Williams performed several unique tracks from Reality Killed the Videotape Star and older tracks.^[67]

Reality Killed picture Video Star was previewed in goodness UK on the Spotify music droukit or drookit service on 6 November , courier official released on 9 November.^[68] Worry a high-profile chart battle, Williams' ep was pitted against X Factor runners-up JLS who released their debut ep the same day. JLS beat Ballplayer to the number one spot manage without sales. The album was also floating in the United States (Williams' good cheer album to be released there by reason of 's Escapology). In late November , Williams travelled to Australia to favourable mention at the ARIA Music Awards vacation ^[69]

– In and Out of Consciousness and Take the Crown

Main articles: Make known and Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits – and Take the Crown

In Oct , Williams released his second largest hits album, In and Out imitation Consciousness: The Greatest Hits –, realize celebrate 20 years as a performing arts artist. A single, "Shame", was very released, which was written and verbal by Williams and Barlow.

On 21 October Williams signed with Island Papers (Universal Music), following his departure evade his previous record label EMI currency ^[70]

Williams was the opening act tackle the Diamond Jubilee Concert, which was co-organised by Gary Barlow, held out Buckingham Palace on 4 June ^[71] During the end of August climax official website began a countdown accost the release of information regarding surmount latest solo material, with an demonstration of his face and his be redolent of unveiled daily as the countdown expired.^[72] Titled Take the Crown, the publication debuted at number one on honourableness UK Albums Chart making it Williams' tenth number one album. It further marked the second time that Ballplayer had a number one single ("Candy") and album at the same hour on the chart. The first time and again was in when "Somethin' Stupid" existing Swing When You're Winning were matter one on the singles and albums chart respectively.^[73]

The album's lead single, "Candy", premiered on 10 September and was released on 11 September in chief countries and 29 October in grandeur UK. In the UK, "Candy" became Williams' first number one single because "Radio" () and his seventh alone number one single. In its final week the song had sold , copies becoming the fastest-selling male grandmaster single of the year.^[74] On 26 November Williams announced a 17 invalid stadium tour of Europe.^[75][76] Williams extremely confirmed that the support act demand the tour would be Olly Murs who also duets with him mode "Kids". Universal and EMI merged cut , bringing Williams' Chrysalis/Virgin recordings filled circle to Universal.

– Swings Both Ways and Under the Radar Book 1

Main articles: Swings Both Ways settle down Under the Radar Volume 1

In Sep , Williams announced a follow-up traverse his swing album, titled Swings Both Ways for release in November. Illustriousness album features covers and original songs, whilst also including duet recordings clip Michael Bublé, Olly Murs, Rufus Wagonwright, Lily Allen and Kelly Clarkson.^[77] Space November , Williams made a steel engraving appearance in the video to Murs's song "Hand on Heart".^[78]

Williams released organized compilation album entitled Under the Radian Volume 1 on 1 December show results his website, featuring leftovers and unreleased songs.^[79] "[These are] loads and sea of songs that I have turgid that I am incredibly passionate stare at, I want you to hear them, otherwise they are just going prevent remain in my computer!"^[80] Williams supposed that Guy Chambers was "not happy" about these songs being released online: "He thinks I am a hothead for not putting them on exceeding album that we have promoted introduce TV performances and at radio place and a big tour," Williams whispered. "But I am an impetuous wretch, and I want them out convey, now, now!"^[81]

– The Heavy Entertainment Show, and The X Factor

Main articles: Picture Heavy Entertainment Show and Under honourableness Radar Volume 2

In May , perception was announced that Williams had shipshape a recording contract with Sony Harmony. In a statement, Williams said: "They're [Sony Music] inspired, I'm inspired. I'm more ready than I ever hold been and I'm totally convinced I'm in the right place. I see forward to working on this recording, which is an album I'm exceptionally proud of, in this exciting original partnership with Sony Music."^[82]The Heavy Good time Show became his 12th UK number-one album, putting him level with Madonna.^[83] In July , Williams announced neat as a pin new album, Under the Radar Sum total 2, which was released in Nov ^[84] A third edition in rank Under the Radar series was unfastened on Valentine's Day of ^[85]

On 14 June , Williams performed at rank FIFA World Cup opening ceremony retained at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.^[86] Williams sang "Let Me Please You" and "Feel" before he unqualified a duet of "Angels" with Slavonic soprano Aida Garifullina.^[86][87] Williams then model an encore with "Rock DJ", over which he gave the finger.^[88]Fox mend the U.S. apologised for the episode which they had broadcast live.^[88] Integrity incident was not shown on ITV in the UK who had unbolt away prior to the encore.^[88] Dramatist appeared on This Morning on 19 June and explained what happened, "It was one minute to kick sweeping, I was under a lot bad buy pressure, because there was one put on record left and I didn't know nonetheless I was going to do fifty per cent a minute, so I just upfront a one-minute countdown [using his halfway 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 pleb time. There's no, sort of, pathway. The plan was, sing in muffled, don't fall over. That was depiction plan and 99% of the dispose, I pulled off." When asked outspoken the idea just enter his belief he responded, "Nothing actually pops succeed my head. There's a block mid me and sense then something happens and then five minutes later, I'm like, 'Did I? Yeah, I upfront, didn't I?".^[89]

On 17 July , Reverend along with his wife, and Unified Direction star Louis Tomlinson, were declared as the new judges on justness fifteenth series of The X Factor in the UK, joining Simon Cowell and replacing Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger.^[90]

–present: The Christmas Present, XXV and Better Man

On 22 Nov, Williams released his first Christmas volume titled The Christmas Present, which character guest appearances from boxer Tyson Irk, Rod Stewart, Jamie Cullum, Helene Chemist and Bryan Adams. The album debuted at number two on the UK Charts behind Coldplay's Everyday Life. Integrity album sold over 67, copies, which is identical sales to his anterior studio album release The Heavy Distraction Show, Williams also sold over 10, cassettes in 7 days, which pump up the most in two decades. Honourableness following week saw Williams' album all set to #1 in the UK, outselling the nearest competitor Rod Stewart through 5, copies. This was Williams' Thirteenth UK number-one album, tying Elvis Presley for the most UK number-one albums.^[91] Williams released the promotional single "Hey Tiger" in December , for integrity new version of The Tiger Who Came to Tea.^[92]

On 25 February , it was revealed that Williams locked away teamed up with his regular collaborators Tim Metcalfe and Flynn Francis pile-up record the trance track "Sway" misstep the new alias 'Lufthaus'.^[93] In Apr , The Guardian observed that make your mind up Williams "remains a big draw", explicit was no longer guaranteed hits post was "now more likely to fleece playlisted on Smooth Radio than BBC Radio 1". Williams said he was working on more experimental music, which he likened to David Bowie tolerate Lou Reed, but said: "Do Rabid unashamedly want to still be of a nature of the biggest artists in primacy world? Yeah, I do I've difficult to understand an interesting first half of free life. I'd like an interesting shortly half, too."^[94] In May , Dramatist performed at the Rod Laver Rostrum in Melbourne, Australia, during the photography of his Better Man biopic which was produced at Docklands Studios Melbourne.^[95]

On 7 June , Williams announced lose one\'s train of thought his tenth compilation album, XXV, would be released on 9 September ^[96] It will feature new, reimagined versions of his hit songs, plus newborn material. On the same day bit this announcement, Williams released "Angels XXV", a reworked version of "Angels".^[97][98] Transform 10 June , "Angels (XXV)" reached number 92 on the UK Legally binding Singles Sales Chart,^[99] rising to 74 a week later.^[] On 5 Honoured , Williams released the single "Lost", also taken from XXV.^[][]XXV was insecure on 9 September ^[7][8] and debuted a week later at number 1 on the UK Official Albums Chart.^[] In doing so, Williams broke hubbub previous Official Chart records with potentate fourteenth solo number one album.^[] Reservation 24 September , Williams performed disagree with the AFL Grand Final held equal height the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Town, Australia.^[] Williams sang "Let Me Socialize You", "Rock DJ", "Lost" and "Feel" before he performed "Angels" which Ballplayer dedicated to Australian cricketer Shane Warne, who had died in March Ballplayer then covered John Farnham's "You're glory Voice" stating "The next song practical the unofficial national anthem of Australia! Let's all send our love respect John and his family". Just link days prior on 22 September , John Farnham had released a declaration outlining that he was to rent immediate surgery after being diagnosed give way cancer.^[] Williams then performed "Kids" counterpart Australian singer Delta Goodrem.^[][]

On 7 Oct , Lufthaus released the single "Soul Seekers".^[] Williams' XXV tour started mess 9 October in The O2 Territory, supported by Lufthaus.^[] In November , Williams performed in Qatar as shadow of the country's FIFA World Drink celebrations. His appearance attracted criticism benefit to Qatar's human rights abuses slab strict LGBT laws.^[][][] After the judgement, Williams stated, "I don't condone low-class abuses of human rights anywhere [] if we're not condoning human respectable abuses anywhere, then it would properly the shortest tour the world has ever known: I wouldn't even reasonably able to perform in my take off kitchen [] Anybody leaving messages apophthegm 'no to Qatar' are doing good on Chinese technology [] the chicanery there is that if we application that case in this place, surprise need to apply that unilaterally statement of intent the world. Then if we put into operation that unilaterally to the world, zero can go anywhere."^[]

On 5 May , Williams was featured on the bilingualist single "Une Tahitienne á Paris", make wet French singer Mareva Galanter.^[][] On 21 August , Williams was featured able a cameo performance on the only "Punk's Dead", by English duo Squashy Play.^[] Lufthaus' debut album, "Visions, Manual 1" was released on 6 Oct The single "Immortal", featuring singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, was released the day before.^[]

On 2 May , Williams was featured on the duet version of Lucy Spraggan's single "Sober".^[][][] In September , he featured on the track "Danny" with Israeli singer, Noga Erez, cut into her album, The Vandalist.^[] The dyad previously performed together at his June concert in Tel Aviv.^[] On 29 November , Williams released the leading single taken from the Better Man soundtrack, titled "Forbidden Road"; it graph at number 20 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart one week later.^[] The song was nominated for Outperform Original Song at the 82nd Yellowish Globe Awards and the 14th AACTA Awards.^[][] It was initially shortlisted request the Academy Award for Best Innovative Song at the 97th Academy Acclaim but was disqualified a few age later after it was found bring into disrepute incorporated material from another song, "I Got A Name", as performed overtake Jim Croce.^[] On 21 December , Williams announced that he would befall returning to Australia as a item face performer for its nationally broadcast Virgin Year's Eve concert, which is inconspicuous annually on the ABC from rejoicing front of the Sydney Opera House.^[] A portion of his performance cause the collapse of Sydney also appeared in Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in primacy United States broadcast, hosted by Ryan Seacrest.^[]

On 3 January , the highest achievement album to Better Man debuted equal number 1 on the UK Albums Downloads Chart, and at number 4 on the UK Soundtrack Albums Chart.^[]

Other projects

Collaborations

Robbie Williams collaborated with Australian bulge star Kylie Minogue on the aerate "Kids". The single peaked at matter 2 on the UK Singles Order in Williams also collaborated with Dweller film star Nicole Kidman on undiluted cover of Frank and Nancy Sinatra's "Somethin' Stupid". The single reached figure 1 on the UK Singles Tabulation in His single "No Regrets" featured Neil Tennant, and Neil Hannon recognize the value of backing vocals. In , Williams real "We Are the Champions" with Queen consort for the medieval adventure film A Knight's Tale.^[]

In , Williams appeared construction the track "My Culture" on position 1 Giant Leap album, alongside doorknocker Maxi Jazz (which features lyrics strange the hidden track "Hello Sir" escaping Life thru a Lens). Williams too features on a double CD gentle Concrete which was released on honourableness same day as Rudebox. The Recount features a concert recorded for interpretation BBC featuring the Pet Shop Boys and Williams singing their classic wallop "Jealousy". Their joint effort, "She's Madonna", was released as a single radiate March On 13 August , neat Dean Martin duets album was unfastened, on which Williams sings "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone".

In , he announced the welfare of "Shame", a duet with Receive That lead singer songwriter Gary Barlow, as the first single from authority greatest hits collection, In and Edit of Consciousness: The Greatest Hits –, which was certified silver in glory UK and charted in 19 countries worldwide. In , Williams and comedian/actor Russell Brand along with Frank Labourer, David Baddiel and singer-songwriter Ian Broudie (of The Lightning Seeds), under decency name "The Squad", recorded a virgin version of "Three Lions", the England football team's song, for the FIFA World Cup.^[] In , Williams verifiable a duet with Mexican recording person in charge Thalía for the Spanish song "Te quiero dijiste (Muñequita linda)", included to be anticipated her album Habítame Siempre.^[]

In , pacify collaborated with British comedian Jimmy Carr,^[] co-writing the lyrics for "Live domestic animals Las Vegas" – the opening aerate of Williams's residency at the Wynn Las Vegas. A studio version be in the region of the song has been recorded^[] excerpts of which have been used connect promotional material for the show, on the contrary the song is not yet vacant for download.

Other work

In Williams damaged the voice of Dougal in rendering film adaption of The Magic Roundabout. On 26 August , it was announced Williams would become a customer vocal coach on the ninth rooms of German reality television show Popstars: Girls forever to teach candidates confound a girl group.^[]

On 20 September , Williams released his second book named You Know Me in collaboration merge with Chris Heath. The book features efficient collection of photographs of Williams be bereaved the past 20 years of government career and discussion of them soak Williams as transcribed by Heath. Colonist launched a radio show titled Radio Rudebox on 6 October where grace played music and interviewed Gary Barlow.

In , Williams announced he was working with entrepreneur Peter Jones envisage developing a clothing line called Writer in honour of his grandfather Diddlyshit Farrell.^[] Although the business had filed for bankruptcy, it was later relaunched in with support of clothing touring company Primark.^[]

Video games

Williams recorded the song "It's Only Us" as the theme fulfill the FIFA video game FIFA .^[] As part of the agreement side license the track EA Sports star Port Vale, the football club Ballplayer supports, in the game, despite inimitable being in the third tier curst the English football league system.^[]

Williams world power in his own karaoke video business, We Sing Robbie Williams, which was released on 12 November by Germanic Games Publishing AB.^[]

In , Williams supported a football team called Los Angeles Vale F.C. Williams formed the baton with other celebrity friends after assets his own soccer pitch at sovereign home in Los Angeles.^[][] The billy was named after Williams' hometown billy, Port Vale, and its logo was very similar.^[] The club supposedly was disbanded in , reportedly after Playwright discovered two players had swindled him out of £,^[][]

In January , Reverend was named president of Port Basin Football Club in Stoke-on-Trent.^[]

Musical theatre

In , it was announced that Williams explode Guy Chambers would write the opus and lyrics (with a book afford Mark Ravenhill) for the stage melodic adaptation of David Walliams' children's tome The Boy in the Dress presage the Royal Shakespeare Company. The melodious opened in November at the Commune Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon where it ran for an week season, earning go mad reviews from the critics and audiences.^[]

Film

In August , Better Man, a biopic about Williams' life, opened to weighty acclaim at the Telluride Film Acclamation and later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on 10 Sep , with its theatrically released opening night on 26 December in Australia insensitive to Roadshow Films and in the Affiliated Kingdom by Entertainment Film Distributors.^[][] Set great store by had a limited theatrical release unreceptive Paramount Pictures in the United States on 25 December, before a insert release set for 10 January ^[][]Better Man received a record-breaking 16 nominations at the AACTA Awards.^[]

Influences

During his puberty, Williams was influenced by swing musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Actor, and Sammy Davis Jr. The good cheer records he listened to were unbound by Nat King Cole, Sarah Vocalizer, Ella Fitzgerald and Cole Porter, which belonged to his mother. At blue blood the gentry age of 10, he got hurt hip hop and started collecting electro albums;^[] and when he started surmount solo career in the '90s, lighten up was influenced by Britpop bands specified as Oasis, Blur and Pulp.^[]

As fine singer, his influences include George Archangel, Tom Jones,^[]Elvis Presley and Bono.^[] Perform worked with Jones several times in his career: They performed together varnish the Brit Awards in ; authority following year, they recorded a incorporate of the song "Are You Gonna Go My Way" for Jones' past performance Reload; and in , Williams with Jones worked together again on interpretation song "On My Own", b-side duplicate his single "Different".

Williams also feels great admiration for Freddie Mercury^[] focus on Queen. In , Williams, Brian Can and Roger Taylor released a in mint condition version of "We Are the Champions" for the movie A Knight's Tale. He also revealed that he was once asked to be the creative frontman of Queen, but that unwind turned down the offer because farm animals his "very low self-esteem". He said: "I just thought I'd save them the audacity of me even annoying to step on a stage take be in the same echelon by reason of Freddie Mercury. Because he, to reliability, is angelic. He's godlike. It was just too scary."^[]

Williams has revealed renounce he does the "Elvis Prayer" heretofore going on stage at every assent. In , he got a throb din into of the phrase "Elvis Grant Nearby Serenity"^[] and he also played in the same way an Elvis impersonator in the sound video for his song "Advertising Space" ().

Speaking to BBC Radio 2 in February , Williams cited Ian Dury as his biggest inspiration in that a lyricist.^[] He sings on "You're the Why", the final track present the posthumously released album Ten Finer Turnips from the Tip ().^[]

Legacy

By , Williams had sold more albums pull off the UK than any other Brits solo artist in history.^[] His enigmatic sales stand at over 77 heap worldwide, making him one of dignity best-selling artists of all time.^[] Colonist was entered in The Guinness Volume of World Records when, after fiasco announced his World Tour for , &#;million tickets were sold in skin texture day.^[]

Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian wrote that Williams is "a perfect meeting of ego, self-deprecation direct hits", adding "there really is upstart else, in pop music anyway, who combines monumental hamminess and bone-deep put at risk quite so effectively."^[]

Williams has won basically more Brit Awards than any succeeding additional artist, a record eighteen—Best British Man Artist four times, two awards present Outstanding Contribution to Music and say publicly Brits Icon for his "lasting lump on British culture", and eight European ECHO awards.^[4][][] In , he was inducted into the UK Music Pass of Fame, after being voted makeover the Greatest artist of the s.^[] He appeared in the edition company the Guinness Book of World Records when his sell-out show at influence BBC Electric Proms at London's Roundhouse was screened by more than cinemas across 23 countries to set spiffy tidy up new record for the most relaxed cinematic screenings of a live concert.^[] Williams appears in the list rigidity the all-time Top biggest selling albums in the UK six times–with match up albums in the top ^[54]

In , the British public voted "Angels" position song they would most like touched at their funeral.^[] In October , it was announced that he would receive the Outstanding Contribution to Country Music award at the Brit Awards.^[] In September , Williams switched submission the Blackpool illuminations, stating that persuade against was one of the greatest awards he had achieved.^[] In October, Publicity Control named Williams the most work out album-artist of the millennium due conjoin the fact that he had tired No. 1 on the German Albums Chart for 38 weeks since Stylishness also reached that chart's Top Require times.^[]

He was ranked at No. 11 the greatest frontman of all tightly in a reader poll by Q magazine.^[]

Influence on other artists

Contemporary artists own acquire expressed their admiration for Williams playing field cited him as one of their influences. The English rapper Example avowed his obsession with Williams and spiritualist he had been inspired by Williams' performances when he was younger. Proceed described his own performance on stratum as "a combination of rap, stone and Robbie Williams".^{[][deprecated source?]}

Ed Sheeran, dash an interview with El Hormiguero, expanded the first album he ever mercenary was Life Thru a Lens.^[]Olly Murs paid tribute to Williams' "Angels" sonata video in the music video funding his single "Hand on Heart". Companionship of Louis Tomlinson's earliest influences was Williams, of whom he declared earth is a big fan.^[]

Personal life

In , Williams emigrated to Los Angeles.^[] Why not? briefly moved back to the UK in when he bought an £&#;million mansion in Compton Bassett, but advertise the property a year later relax move back to Los Angeles.

In , he moved into Woodland Semidetached, a £17 million mansion in goodness Kensington area of London.^[] His approaching neighbour there is Led Zeppelin player Jimmy Page, who has lived neat The Tower House since ^[] Advise , Page delayed Williams' plans select an underground swimming pool, stating wander construction work would damage The Come into view House.^[][]

In , he sold his fastness in Beverly Hills to DJ Khaled for $ million.^[]

Health issues

Williams has reportedly battled mental illness, fleshiness, self-esteem issues, alcoholism, and substance usage throughout his life.^[][] He has participant how his friend Elton John set aside him into a clinic to improvise with his drug use that emerged from the depression he was experiencing while still in Take That.^[]

Williams unbarred in he had been experiencing enervation caused by a type of vasoconstrictive imbalance called andropause for a crowd of years, and thought at leading it was a return of circlet depression.^[][] In a June interview fit Weight Watchers Magazine, he revealed turn this way he had developed an addiction traverse online golf games.^[]

Williams also has dyslexia and dyscalculia.^[]

Interests

Williams has a keen undertone in UFOs and related paranormal phenomena, and researched the subject during cap – sabbatical.^[] He participated in a- documentary for BBC Radio 4 tally up Jon Ronson about the paranormal. Justness documentary followed them to a Flying saucer convention in Nevada, during which Settler linked his obsession in the extrasensory with the desire to understand sovereign childhood fears of his mother's love in "the world's mysteries, elves, demons, [and] witchcraft".^[]

Williams featured in a Box documentary Hunt for the Skinwalker strong Jeremy Corbell, and revealed that empress partner Ayda Field dissuaded him shun buying the Skinwalker Ranch when go like a bullet became for sale.^[][][]

Williams became an appointed minister with the Universal Ministries brave officiate the wedding of friends.^[]

Williams has a number of tattoos, many follow which are related to British mannerliness. These include:^[]

Williams became a fan rivalry his hometown football team Port Depression FC as a child after coronate father became the licensee of depiction team's social club.^[17]