Pop superstar Robbie Williams has issued a heartfelt public apology to his former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow, confessing he has said sorry "a million times" after watching the group's recent documentary. The candid revelation came during Williams' performance at the O2 Academy Brixton on Sunday night, part of his limited-run Long 90s Tour.
A Candid Reflection on Past Behaviour
The 51-year-old singer treated the enthusiastic audience to tracks from his debut solo album Life Thru A Lens and his most recent record, Britpop. Kicking off the show with "Lazy Days", he delivered a string of hit songs including "Let Me Entertain You", "Angels", "All My Life", and "Morrissey". Before performing "Ego a Go Go", which he revealed was inspired by Barlow, Williams referenced the boyband's documentary.
He confessed openly: "What an a**hole I am in episode two. The smuggest person that has ever lived in the world. Gary Barlow was supposed to be mean but I am f***ing mean. A horrible d**khead I was." Williams added that he has since apologised to Barlow repeatedly, concluding with a reflective note: "It's not nice now but it was f***ing fun at the time."
Gratitude for Unwavering Fan Support
The packed crowd enthusiastically joined in for Angels, prompting Williams to express profound gratitude for their unwavering support throughout his career. He likened their loyalty to that of a favourite football team, reflecting on his improbable career trajectory: "What I managed to do is stretch, with my career, an elastic band from Stoke-on-Trent to the moon. It feels like the simulation theory might be real."
Williams continued emotionally: "It feels like The Matrix may exist, because I'm not supposed to be here with 16 number one albums. At some point in these 36 years, you guys decided that I am your football team. And I f***ing love being your football team. Thank you very f***ing much."
Intimate Venues for Latest Tour
Despite his ability to fill vast arenas, Williams has deliberately opted for more intimate venues for this particular tour, which began in Glasgow and included a stop in Liverpool before arriving at Brixton. The tour is scheduled to conclude at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall, offering fans a closer connection with the performer.
Chart-Topping Success Continues
His 13th studio album, Britpop, released in January, quickly became his 16th solo chart-topper, cementing his status as the artist with the most number one albums in the United Kingdom, surpassing even The Beatles. The album features notable collaborations with artists including Chris Martin, Gaz Coombes, Tony Iommi, and significantly, Gary Barlow.
Documentary and Biopic Reflections
Williams, who rose to fame with Take That before embarking on his hugely successful solo career, has recently been the subject of a 2023 Netflix documentary detailing his struggles with addiction and mental health challenges. A subsequent biopic, Better Man, released a year later, featured Williams portrayed by a CGI chimpanzee, reflecting his feeling of being a "performing monkey" during certain periods of his career.
His extensive catalogue of chart-topping albums also includes I've Been Expecting You, Sing When You're Winning, Escapology, Intensive Care, and Rudebox, demonstrating remarkable longevity in the competitive music industry. The Brixton performance served as both a musical celebration and a moment of personal reflection for the artist, highlighting the complex dynamics of fame, friendship, and personal growth.
