Robbie Williams will reportedly join Take That in a surprise performance on 'The X Factor' later in the series.

Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams

The 44-year-old singer is set to reunite with Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen for a performance on the ITV show, with fans having previously hoped to see Robbie return to the band in time for their 30th anniversary celebrations in 2020.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Having Robbie on the panel has been a huge coup, but obviously backstage everyone has been talking about whether or not he's going to sing at some point.

"It seems a shame to have one of the biggest pop stars on the planet sat there and not hear him, so they've been plotting a surprise for the end of the series.

"It's a while since they got together and nobody is ­completely sure when it was going to happen for the anniversary so it'll be a massive moment."

Robbie - whose wife, actress Ayda Field, is starring alongside him on this year's 'X Factor' judging panel - previously revealed he'd be keen to reunite with the band to celebrate the anniversary.

However, it's not yet clear whether he will be joining the group on their anniversary tour, which is due to begin in April.

He previously said: "I enjoy working with them.

"I enjoy hiding in public. I enjoy the camaraderie and I enjoy writing songs with them too, so why not?"