Robbie Williams rollercoaster

03 March 2007

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Not for the man who, in terms of number one recordings, is second only to Elvis Presley.

And to make it worse, Take That - who reunited minus Robbie - had been invited to top off their successful comeback year by performing their hit song 'Patience' at the BRITs, the number one song that would win them the British Single award on the night.

Back in November 2005, Robbie shunned an invitation to join former bandmates, Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, to watch the documentary 'Take That...For The Record'.

His spokeswoman said at the time: "Robbie has been working hard promoting his new album and is having a well-deserved rest at home in LA before he releases his second single."

Days later, Take That confirmed they were getting back together and going on tour - nearly ten years after they'd split, and without Robbie.

Well what possible reason could successful solo artist Robbie have for wanting to be part of the reunion?

Robbie was just 16 when he was plucked from obscurity to be a member of Take That. A few years later, the band was dubbed "the most successful British band since The Beatles in the UK, beloved of young and old alike".

The group's squeaky clean, cheeky but loveable image meant mass appeal - which meant chart domination and record sales.

But Robbie grew tired of his fluffy boy band image. And when he started hanging out with the Oasis Gallagher brothers in the summer of 1995, their hedonistic rock'n'roll lifestyle suddenly seemed far more appealing. But drugs and partying didn't send out the right message to Take That fans - the majority of whom were still schoolgirls at the time.

This led to problems and rumours of rows between Robbie, other Take That members, and their management ensued.

Robbie's shock departure broke thousands of hearts. Mothers and daughters sobbed in unison, and the question on everybody's lips was, could Take That survive without Robbie?

A few months later, in February 2006, the band announced they were splitting. It was easy to point to Robbie's departure for the reason behind the band's demise.

This must have been an ego-boost for the self-confessed self-obsessive Robbie. And even more so when he went on to defy critics, who thought Gary would win in the solo artist success stakes.

At the time, the critics were talking sense. Gary was responsible for a large part of Take That's music, and within the space of a year, Robbie's cute cheeky-chappy look - the reason he was adored as the baby of Take That - disappeared, as his booze-fuelled lifestyle took its toll and his looks went down-hill and waistline expanded. Robbie later confessed using drugs had made him "blow up to the size of a small aircraft hangar".

But, thankfully, his pal Elton John "kidnapped" him, and forced him into rehab.

When he emerged, Robbie vowed to give up recreational drugs - because he didn't want to be fat anymore - got back his looks, and proceeded to take over the world, becoming one of the UK's most well-loved stars.

But no matter how successful he became, Robbie never felt satisfied. True happiness, and contentment, seemed to elude him. What more did he want? Robbie didn't seem to know; that was the problem.

But he did want to be loved, that much was certain, even he admitted it, saying: "I do like myself, but I think I'm far too needy."

Robbie is the first to admit it's all about him, once declaring: "I'm a self-obsessed son-of-a-b***h, really. Hopefully it makes for good records. People buy them, so I must be doing something right."

It seemed Robbie was prey to that tricky affliction that has plagued many a talented artist. He craves fame and adoration. But the more he achieves, the more anxious he becomes. And when you've achieved as much as Robbie, the costs are high.

Over-feeding an ego is a risky sport. First it gets greedy, then it gets sick.

But what's the solution - let it starve? Feed it till it explodes?

The sell-out success of Take That's reunion tour must have been tough for Robbie. The disappointment of his latest solo effort could only have been magnified by the band's surprise triumph. The night after he checked into rehab for being addicted to his prescription drugs, Take That were back on the BRITs stage clutching the British Single prize without him.

Last night (01.03.07), 'Rudebox' was named Worst Album at the Shockwaves NME Awards, as Take That's 'Beautiful World' still lingers comfortably in the top five.

But this is just another reason for his millions of loyal, adoring fans to love him even more - evident by the torrent of well-wishes that flooded his way.

People have genuine concern for Robbie. Genuine worry. Because, despite how massive his success is, it's still strangely, and somewhat sadly, superseded by his vulnerability.

As his former band mate Gary said: "There are some people who will never be happy and I fear that Robbie will be one of them."

Take That have wished him well. As has his family, friends, fans, peers, the press, next door's cat...

Robbie was said to be "relieved" at the response he'd received.

At 33, Robbie is three years older than the age he once claimed he believed he would live to. And nine years younger than Elvis was when he died.

What the future holds in store for Robbie nobody knows, least of all Robbie. But the singer's words to his fans have always been "let me entertain you", and we sure he will again...

By Abi Jackson

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