News of November 2002

30/11/02

Robbie Williams tonight (30/11/02) will be guest on an italian program TV "Uno di noi", at 21:00 on "RAIUNO"

20/12/02

Robbie Williams nearly killed off the character of 'Robbie' in a bid to totally reinvent himself. Speaking frankly during last night's MSN webchat, a flu-ridden Robbie spoke about bringing "Robbie back from the doors of death" during his recuperation break in LA. "At the end of last year I was going to kill this character off I'd created," said Robbie. "If you look back through your rock n'roll history books, people tend to fell a bit crap about themselves if they work themselves into the ground." He continued: "('Escapology') was going to be the greatest hits. I was going to kill Robbie off and join a band and do something completely different. "With the time off, a few early nights, some square meals and a great album, I decided to ditch the plans and stay being me. And I'm really enjoying it. I've escaped from killing something off that I enjoy." During the chat - that took place at Robbie's London home - he also talked about media attention, life in the spotlight, the new album, recording in the nude and much more.

20/11/02

Robbie Williams has admitted he supported Nicole Appleton's decision to go public about her abortion, but says he was "torn apart" after seeing his former fiance's revelations in black and white. Appleton, who dated Robbie for eight months in 1998, recently revealed details of the abortion in an autobiography written with her sister Natalie. The former All Saint claimed she had been forced into the termination for the sake of her pop career. Last month it was widely reported that Robbie was furious with Nicole for exposing their ordeal, but in an interview with Radio 1 this week, the star admitted he had supported her decision to go public. He explained: "I spoke to her probably eight or nine months before the book came out and she said that she was gonna do it - and I was completely behind her. "If there's something that's so deep-rooted within yourself that you feel it would feel better to you that you exorcised it and got it off your chest, because secrets can make you sick and secrets can make you feel terrible... then I'm completely behind her. "It was really sad though, it was really sad, because she asked me about it and it was 'well, good on you'. Robbie, who was recording his album in LA when Nicole's book was published, said he was prepared for the questions he would face on his return home. "Obviously, I was gonna come back to England and there was gonna be questions like this asked," he said, "so I needed to know what was going on with it and it really upset me, and tore me apart a little bit. "I had to phone her up and go I'm not in a mood or anything, I still back you. But it was actually upsetting to see it written in black and white."

15/11/02

Robbie Williams admitted to me last night he was determined to exorcise the demons that turned his last MTV Europe appearance into a nightmare. In an exclusive interview in his Barcelona hotel, Robbie confessed he had been haunted by the shame of his booze fuelled punch-up in Stockholm in 2000. He vowed to avoid the temptation of alcohol at this year's MTV Music Awards - by flying home immediately after his performance, without even waiting for the ceremony to finish. A reformed Robbie told me yesterday: "I've come here to vanquish my demons." He looked relaxed as I chatted to him during a game of backgammon in the lounge bar of the city's swanky Hotel Arts. He said: "This year won't be a repeat of two years ago, no way. "I'm on my best behaviour and I'm not hanging around after I've done my bit tonight. "I'm going to fly straight home and will be tucked up in bed by three o'clock in the morning while everyone's still out here partying." Robbie fell off the wagon in spectacular fashion in Stockholm two years ago. Stars including the SPICE GIRLS and KYLIE MINOGUE watched horrified as a violently drunk Robbie traded blows with old mate and top music producer NELLEE HOOPER. Four minders had to split them up at the EMI aftershow party. But Robbie is now determined to stay away from booze and drugs. He counts smoking and gambling as his only vices. Ironically, Nellee, who has produced artists including MADONNA, was staying in the same Barcelona hotel as Robbie. However he kept a safe distance from the singer by hanging around in the hotel foyer, well away from the lounge bar. Nellee said: "Everything's cool between us now. We have spoken since that night." But pals say Robbie left trendy London nightclub China White last Thursday night specifically because Nellee turned up. Robbie has proved he really has turned the corner by admitting he stays in on a Saturday night - and listens to my show on Virgin Radio. He told me: "I know you like my song Me And My Monkey because I heard you play it on the radio on Saturday night. "Why did you play Handbags And Gladrags by ROD STEWART straight afterwards?" Robbie was referring to the fact he is dating Rod's ex-wife RACHEL HUNTER - but I just played it because it is a good song. Honest.

12/11/02

FROM THE SUN:

Robbie Williams has sensationally admitted he is being treated for depression. The singer, 28, confessed he has been popping anti-depressant “happy pills” despite his amazing success, which recently earned him an £80million record deal. Robbie said taking the tablets had helped him heal his rift with dad Pete Conway. He told a magazine: “The truth is I’ve been a depressive. “People think that if you’re depressed, you’re depressed about something. But I’m not. I just feel terrible. “And it’s not about record sales or media or family. The real root of it all is, actually, I suffer with an illness that’s called depression. “Take medication? Yeah — because I was determined one day I was going to wake up and it would have gone and I could do it by myself. “That’s why I’m happy today. That’s why today’s a good day. That’s why I can look at my old records and appreciate them now and like them and value myself. “The fact that my father’s here has got a lot to do with the medication that I’m on. Robbie, who releases his new album Escapology in ten days, also spoke for the first time of his love for new girlfriend Rachel Hunter, Rod Stewart’s estranged wife. He said: “I’m commitment-phobic, I get claustrophobic and I run off for a little bit. “And then I realise that she is the most amazing woman and we have really really lovely times together and I really miss her. “I don’t know where that leaves us than to see she’s the most wonderful woman that I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending time with.” He then joked: “The sex is nothing to write home about.” Robbie also talks of the unborn child aborted by ex-girlfriend Nicole Appleton. He said: “I was sad for both of us as there’d be a child now, three or four years old. “I understand why Nic had to do it. I feel sad for her because she was going out with an idiot at the time. I was sad for the unborn child.” Robbie split with his songwriting partner Guy Chambers just after signing his massive deal with EMI Records, exclusively revealed by the Sun last month. And he attacked the man who helped pen Angels and Let Me Entertain You. He said: “I think Guy thinks people buy tickets to come and see him. I’d find it hugely disrespectful if anybody in my record company thought a lion’ s share of the songs weren’t done by me.”

09/11/02

A teenager was stunned when she proposed to Robbie Williams - and he said yes. The star got the unexpected offer of marriage during the first leg of his whirlwind tour of the UK which takes in three cities in one day. He delighted fans when he stopped to hug and kiss them during a stopover in Glasgow to promote his new album Escapology.
Fifteen-year-old Lauren Coia was in hysterics when she asked Robbie to marry her when he arrived at Radio Clyde near Glasgow for an interview. The tearful fan, from Bishopbriggs, Glasgow said: "I asked him, "can I marry you?" He asked me what age I was and I just said 29. He said "in a couple of years I will"."Lauren, who had waited since 4am for a glimpse of the singer, added: "I never expected to meet him today.
"It's a dream come true and I will never forget this. He's perfect." Leaving Radio Clyde, Williams thanked the fans but said he had to go as he was running 30 minutes late.
He said: "Listen, I'm really short of time, I really need to get off. Thank you, thank you very much."
The former Take That singer was later jumping aboard a helicopter to travel to Manchester for chats with Key 103 and former Slade singer Noddy Holder at the city's Century Radio. He then rounds off his whistlestop tour with a visit to Bristol to record an interview with GWR which will later be networked to 33 UK stations.

06/11/02

Here is the first look at scenes from ROBBIE WILLIAMS’ amazing new video. The singer becomes a cowboy in the spaghetti western-style promo for Feel, his debut single from his new album Escapology. As I revealed in September, Robbie has roped in actress DARYL HANNAH as his co-star in the shoot. Incredibly, Robbie paid for the vid — shot in the mountains around Calgary, Canada — with a fistful of dollars out of his own pocket before signing his £80million deal with EMI. And not content with the natural beauty of the area, Robbie wanted even more sensational visuals — and spent a few dollars more to sign up Splash actress Daryl. The video has Robbie as a mean and moody outlaw who rides into town with hisgang of pardners — all played by real-life cowboys — for a showdown with the local millionaire ranch owner. It just so happens Daryl is the ranch owner’s gal, but Robbie is determined to win her heart. He shows off his muscles during a quick bath in a horse’s drinking trough before challenging Mr Nasty Ranch Owner to an arm wrestle, beating him to win the gorgeous Daryl. If only it was that easy — muscleman GEOFF CAPES would have had more women than JULIO IGLESIAS. At the end of the video Robbie celebrates his victory by taking Daryl out for a plate of chips followed by a game of bingo — what a charmer. He also sports a tattoo of her name on his neck. Robbie asked Daryl to take part in the video after meeting her at a dinner party in Los Angeles. She agreed to her role after hearing the song. The singer faced a major problem before shooting began — he couldn’t ride a horse. A source on set said: “It was a nightmare but Robbie was determined to make the video work. “He had a day’s intensive horseriding lessons in the mountains and came through in the end. He turned out to be a bit of a natural.” By the end he was so confident on horseback he was able to act the fool, flicking V-signs to the cameramen. The video shows fans a new side of Robbie — he wears a lumberjack shirt and a Clint Eastwood-style suede jacket to complete the Wild West look. The source said: “It was all a great laugh. I got the impression Robbie was determined to have as much fun as possible during filming. “He takes his work very seriously but he also likes to have a good time and make sure everyone around him does too. This was a final chance to relax a bit before he really starts to promote the album.” Robbie was willing to pay for the £500,000 video so he could use it as a showcase to EMI as his megabucks deal was thrashed out. His insurance alone was rumoured to be huge because of the risks involved in galavanting around on a horse for a week. Feel is out on December 9. The song is about longing to find love. It has a strong vocal performance and features house-style piano. The album is out on November 18.

SEE THE PICTURE

05/11/02

Despite sporadic sightings in the tabloids, it's been all quiet on the Robbie Williams front for a while. With a new album on the way, all that's about the change. Holed up in LA making 'Escapology', Robbie's lost none of his trademark sense of humour as you'll see when you watch these three video clips. To watch the behind the scenes videos click on the links at the top of the page. In clip 1 (Album Imagery) we see Robbie arrive to work on the first day of recording with an elaborate new hairstyle. "We got the idea for 'Escapology' going up Laurel Canyon in LA," explains Robbie. "There's a house on the right that suppose to be Houdini's but I think that was a rumour started by the tourist board but it wasn't. "And I thought he was cool and looked at some of the imagery he used which was amazing. The first idea was to get all his posters and put my head in his place but we sacked that for something better." Clip 2 (Naked) sees us premiere the footage of Robbie minus his clothes - see Oct 25 story - where he's taking the mickey in nothing more than his birthday suit! And the final clip (Superman) sees Robbie poking fun at LA's media workforce and their tolerance of unusual behaviour by the stars they come in contact with. His theory is proved right when he turns up to the studio wearing a Superman outfit including fake muscles and nobody batted an eyelid.

03/11/02

Robbie is planning a duet with Eminem in a bit to crack America. An executive from Robbie's US label said "They have mutual respect for each other". Also Robbie confessed to bedding Nicole Kidman, he admits to the romance in his song 'How Peculiar' which appears on his new album 'Escapology' Saw all this info in The News Of The World, so who knows if it's true, but I thought I'd share it with you guys anyway.
Go To: http://www.thenewsoftheworld.co.uk

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