News of October 2004

28/10/04

The singer is due to start recording in Los Angeles with producer and new co-writer Stephen Duffy in February, and has apparently already co-written between 40-50 songs with Duffy during sessions for the album. His management have revealed that two or three new singles will be released from the album in 2005 and he will begin the touring cycle at the start of 2006 reports MTV. Robbie's co-manager David Enthoven said that Robbie and Duffy "have established a very good writing partnership over the past year" and that he has "been privy to hearing the material and I know how good the songs are".
Robbie's next single is Misunderstood taken from his Greatest Hits album - it's due to hit record stores on December 12th.

27/10/04

FROM THE SUN:

Robbie Williams is to join the all-star cast of Band Aid III - singing via satellite. The superstar, 30, hit on the idea because he is determined not to be left out of the remake of 1984 charity hit Do They Know It's Christmas? Commitments in the US mean he cannot be in Britain when recording takes place on November 14.
But a senior executive managing the project, which will raise cash for famine relief, revealed yesterday: "He's arranging to sing his sections from a studio in Los Angeles. "He has too many commitments to fly over just for the day. But he didn't want to miss out."
Robbie joins a star-studded choir which includes Coldplay, The Darkness, Keane and Travis. Yesterday it was revealed recording will take place at North London's legendary Air Studios - home of Beatles producer George Martin.

26/10/04

FROM CONTACT MUSIC:

Pop hunk Robbie Williams has horrified fans by mocking bulimic singer Geri Halliwell's recent weight gain. The Rock DJ star has recently toned his body but insists he hasn't followed the Atkins Diet, although he suspects the former Spice Girl ate the low-carbohydrate lifestyle's founder, Doctor Atkins. He joked, "I don't eat brad and potatoes, but I'm not Geri-esque about it. Mind you, neither's she. I think she ate Doctor Atkins."
The pair were romantically linked last year (03) when Halliwell was battling with the eating disorder.

26/10/04

Robbie Williams' dad is anxious for his son to take a break from his music career - because the pop hunk only has one friend. Pete Conway was devastated after reading Williams' self-pitying autobiography Feel and is desperate for the Rock DJ hunk to spend less time with his sycophantic employees so he can find true pals, like his loyal childhood chum Jonathan Wilkes.
He says, "Robbie's in a different world now and he's not with friends. The whole fame thing is such a bubble."

24/10/04

George had spent the last four months on the wagon after noticing that his belly was hanging over his belt. He'd even told Robbie Williams that he'd been inspired to give up drink after reading his autobiography. But during the early hours of the morning at the Scottish Licensed Trade News Awards, George lost gave in to temptation. He said: 'At an event like this, where everyone from the licensed trade is celebrating, it can be hard not to drink.'

23/10/04

Robbie Williams' 'Greatest Hits' will easily top the Australian chart next week with retailers saying it is well out in front against it's other week competitor, Guy Sebastian's 'Beautiful Life'. "Robbie's Greatest Hits" will do more than double this week's number one" one chain buyer told Undercover News. That being said, sales we soft last week with Maroon5 scoring the prime spot with sales of less than 8,000 units. He Robbie Williams album looks like coming close to 20,000 units.
Sebastian is struggling to even come in at number two following a resurgence in sales for Jet after their dominating ARIA Awards winning run last week. Jet could possibly take the number two spot. JB HiFi has Jet at number two ahead of Guy and HMV has them too close to call but with Guy slightly in front as on end of sales on Tuesday.

21/10/04

Robbie Williams was close to breaking down on Australian TV show Rove last night as he made known his regrets regarding what he had written about Sir Elton John in his autobiography, Feel. In the book he described Sir Elton as 'weird' and accused him of 'kidnapping' him and forcing him into rehab as a step against his previous drug problems.
The Radio singer did not mean to cause offence to the veteran icon, and has only realised that Elton was upset through subsequent comments in the press. Robbie told the show's presenter: "I know Elton said I'm not a well budgie and it didn't make me happy. But I've been thinking about it a lot and perhaps it wasn't cool that I've written about it.
"Maybe I should be saying sorry to him. But I think it is a really interesting story and I didn't mean to cause harm by saying what went on. "It just shows Elton in a very caring light and he is a very caring man. So if he is upset then 'hey ho' but it wasn't meant to provoke Elton and I want him to know that."

21/10/04

Former soccer star Paul Gascoigne has revealed how Robbie Williams helped him beat his alcohol addiction. Gascoigne said his friendship with the singer guided him through his darkest days. Both stars have spent periods in rehab to conquer their drink and drug addictions. And that is not all the pair have in common - Williams' new girlfriend Lisa Brash is reportedly one of Gazza's old flames. In a TV interview, the football star said: "Robbie and I have become good friends. I've been to his concerts and spent time with him. "One of the nicest things he's ever done was about six months ago. I had said to a paper during an interview that sometimes I find it tough trying to cope with things that I hadn't ever done without the drink. "Robbie called me up and said 'these things can be achieved, you've just got to face your challenges'. I saw him the other day and thanked him face to face."
But the former England star admitted he had not done much to help Williams stay on the wagon. "Robbie and I were playing together in a charity match once and he came into the dressing room.
"I was drinking at the time and offered him one but he said 'I can't drink, I've been off it for three months'. "I basically forced him to drink this pint and we got blotted - I think he's still cursing me for that, although he did go out and score four goals," he said.

21/10/04

FROM CONTACT MUSIC:

British singer Robbie Williams has exposed the truth behind his split with former girlfriend Rachel Hunter - he didn't love her.
The Feel star began romancing Hunter, the estranged wife of Rod Stewart, when he moved to Los Angeles in January 2002, but soon realised she wasn't "the one". Williams says, "I really liked her. Not loved, but liked, you know.
"I knew no-one in LA so she was a good friend - but not marriage material. "She went nuts when I ended it, but I needed to know if she was the one and I pretty much worked out that she wasn't after a few days."

20/10/04

FROM THE MIRROR:

Love-Struck Robbie Williams' new girlfriend was yesterday branded a maneater who could end up breaking his heart. The astonishing warning about mum-of-two Lisa Brash came from one of her closest relatives. Cousin Julie Shaw said: "Lisa is Brash by name and brash by nature. She makes Abi Titmuss look like a nun." Julie, 37, spoke out as it was revealed the 30-year-old blonde ended a brief fling with former soccer star Paul Gascoigne just a few months ago. She says that since breaking up with Gazza Lisa has also dated a millionaire before bumping into Robbie, 30, at a celebrity TV footy match.
The singer was so besotted with the chatty probation service worker he flew her to his Chelsea pad last Friday to spend the weekend with him. But Robbie doesn't know what he may be letting himself in for, according to Julie, who saw Lisa as she was growing up. She said: "She's almost a female version of Robbie - a 24-hour party girl who just loves to have a good time."
Julie revealed that Robbie has been sending Lisa faxed love-notes since they met after the TV celebrity football show The Match in Newcastle nine days ago.
And yesterday - after spending the weekend with her at his London pad - he was begging her to join him on a trip to America. Julie, who knew Lisa from her childhood in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, told the Mirror: "She will think she has hit the jackpot. She loves to be the centre of attention - she used to sing in a band herself. "But above all she loves a man with a bank account. "She's a stunner, a real head-turner. And she really knows how to enjoy herself." Julie says Robbie has been bombarding Lisa with messages of love via her mother's home.
She said: "He flew her down to London on Friday and she flew back on Sunday - but he has already been on to her, asking her to go to the States next weekend. "She will jump at the chance." Lisa's colourful life-style began as soon as she left high school.
Julie recalls: "She has been a model, a go-go dancer in a nightclub - when she was not even old enough to drink - and left home when she was just turned 16. "Her parents were upset, but there was nothing they could do. She was pregnant at 17."
Julie says Robbie - who has dated model Rachel Hunter, actress Anna Friel and pop star Nicole Appleton - will be history if Lisa ever meets her real idol - Michael Jackson.
She said: "She is completely obsessed with him. Robbie has joked about the Michael Jackson ring-tone she has on her mobile - it plays Thriller. "But Michael has always been her hero ever since she was a kid - and still is despite all his recent troubles.
"It the chance ever came along she would ditch Robbie for Jacko, make no mistake."

17/10/04

Robbie has been seen out on dates with single mum of two Lisa Brash, 30 reports The News Of The World. A source said: "Lisa's job is far from glamorous. She deals with drug dealers, robbers and proper criminals. She's blonde, tall, slim and attractive but a far cry from the high-maintenance models and actresses Robbie is normally seen with." Lisa, 30, earns £30,000 a year, drives a Honda Jazz and lives in a terrace near Newcastle with her son aged 13 and daughter of six.
Lisa met Robbie by chance. She had taken her children to the final of telly reality show The Match at Newcastle United's soccer ground after being invited by a friend at makers Sky.
It was at the after-show party that Lisa bumped into Robbie, there cheering on friend Jonathan Wilkes. Lisa's friend said: "She dropped off her kids then went to the party at Robbie's hotel, The Malmaison. They got talking but kept being interrupted.
His words were along the lines of, 'Do you want to come back to my room - just to talk?' She agreed and went to his room. They were carrying on and having a laugh but nothing happened.
"I know she left after dawn and went in to work the same day. Lisa said he was nothing like you'd expect. He was down to earth, charming, funny and easy to talk to. She gave him her number. I don't think she expected anything to happen but it did." Just hours later Lisa got a call from one of Robbie's aides inviting her to lunch at his hotel. The pal revealed: "She went and afterwards she said, 'I can't believe I've actually had lunch with Robbie Williams'." Robbie, whose hits include She's The One, recently admitted: "I'm looking for a missus. It's time to settle down."

15/10/04

They say everyone loves to see the mighty take a fall. Maybe so. However, Robbie Williams' post-Take That success shows the opposite is also true. Imagine the shock if Michelle McManus turned into a thrusting sylph-like, Madonna-style taunting temptress. Or if Danny from Hear'Say released a mature and insightful Chris Martin-like solo album. Now that he's the leading pop star of his generation, it is easy to forget that Williams was once the underdog most likely to fail.
Then, as if in a fairytale, the tubby dancer from a Manchester boy band shook off his runt of the litter status. Gary Barlow, Take That's supposed talent, sunk into the shadows and Robbie, the Mister Modern Showbiz star was born. There have been a few wobbles along the way. A decade ago, when he appeared onstage with Oasis at Glastonbury, he seemed destined for has-been casualty status. Then, came his masterstroke - the stupendously hammy Angels. Here was The Robster, the have-a-go hero laying his heart on the line. The entire nation soared on the melody and snuffled into their hankies.
The 19 songs gathered here confirm that Robbie's success has been more down to personality than wild, raw talent. His music - be it the disco rock of Rock DJ or the power ballad She's The One - reflects the industry built around him, not great or burning need.
He and his writers have never been slow to draw on the trials and tribulations Rob faced while turning himself into an all-purpose pop star. His ability to be a Jack of all trades - from cabaret crooner, Freddie Mercury-style clown and, even on his new single, '80s electro revivalist - has given Williams baffling credibility. Sure there are tunes you can hum, passable vocals and what might even be classed as a clever lyric, but to see Robbie hailed as a Britpop institution alongside The Beatles, Tom Jones or Oasis is cringeworthy.
With five No 1 albums, a record-breaking 14 Brits and the biggest-selling music DVD of all time, plus countless other impressive statistics, Robbie's commercial and financial clout is clear. He has sold 32 million records worldwide, but 32 million Robbie fans could be listening to something better.

14/10/04

FROM THE SUN:

Robbie Williams appears in BBC comedy Little Britain - in drag. The singer has filmed a secret guest spot in Matt Lucas and David Walliams' cult comedy. Robbie dons a dress to appear in a sketch with transvestite Emily Howard and her new pal Florence. In the spoof, to be shown as part of Comic Relief next year, the pair run a ladies' clothes shop and Robbie shows up as a customer.

12/10/04

British chart-topper Robbie Williams is desperate to make peace with Christina Aguilera after slamming her in his autobiography.
The Rock DJ star made some less that complimentary remarks about the Dirrty singer in his book Feel and now regrets allowing them to be published. The 30-year-old wrote in his book, "She looks like a cross between someone in a gay club at six in the morning and someone's who's trying to save trees."
Now that he spends most of his time in America, Williams is trying to make amends, "I deeply regret slagging (criticising) her off. I hope a personal letter can mend bridges between us." Williams may have been bearing a slight grudge against Aguilera at the time of writing because she turned down the opportunity to duet with him. Aguilera said of the offer, "I find him charming but our styles are too different. It wouldn't work. He should try Mariah Carey - she likes duets."

11/10/04

Robbie Williams wants to release a follow-up to his hugely successful lounge lizard album Swing When You're Winning. The 30-year-old singer has reportedly approached singers such as Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones to work on the new offering, Swing When You're Winning Too.
The Robster, who has always had a love for the big band sound, released the first album in 2001 and saw it hit top spot. It contained classics like Mack The Knife, One For My Baby and Have You Met Miss Jones? which featured in Bridget Jones' Diary. He also recorded a memorable duet with Aussie actress Nicole Kidman when the pair sang Somethin' Stupid. The former Taker That star really threw himself in to the big band scene, even premiering tracks from the album at London's posh Royal Albert Hall.
A source is quoted as telling the Daily Star: "Robbie's love of swing has not diminished and he's keen to record another album with a big band. "There's a number of new artists he is keen to work with. He's a big fan of British singers like Amy Winehouse and Jamie Cullum."
Williams is also believed to have approached Norah Jones and Italian singer Patrizio Buanne to be on the album.

11/10/04

FROM THE MIRROR:

Robbie Williams may be celebrating his number one in the single charts, but his tragic life as a multi-millionaire sex symbol who can't seem to pull continues. We have heard of yet more sad scenes of the 30-year-old bachelor boy looking for love. Robbie has been reduced to trying - and failing - to chat up girls in the bar at the Conrad Hotel near his flat in Chelsea Harbour, London. Unfortunately for the Robster - whose past top-totty conquests include Nicole Appleton, Anna Friel and Rachel Hunter - there were no takers last week, despite waiting until the early hours to pounce and being on top cheeky-chappie form.
"I was at the hotel on Saturday night when I noticed Robbie and his bodyguard sitting in a corner," says our source. "At around 1am he got up and started jumping from table to table trying to chat up women. He even tried his luck with girls who were sitting with blokes!
"He went alone though. It was extraordinary - here was one of Britain's biggest male star's who was desperately trying it on with complete strangers. You'd have thought he would be able to get any woman he wants.
"In the end he wandered over to chat to Billy Connolly who was staying at the hotel and was at the bar. But even he didn't seem too thrilled to see Robbie." Could the boy be losing his knack with the ladies? We hope not - but at least he's in good company. His mate Declan Donnelly hasn't had much luck either. The ex-Take That star joined his pals Ant and Dec at one of Billy Connolly's stand-up show's last week and spent the weekend with them too. "Ant is happily loved-up with his long-term girlfriend Lisa. But Dec has been single since splitting from Clare Buckfield last year," says a close pal.
"Dec is always busy working or hanging out with Ant at their local pub in Chiswick, near where their flats are. He just doesn't get the chance to meet many girls. And, of course, he has to know that he can trust them and that they're just not fans who want to use him for a kiss and tell." Robbie turned up to Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on Saturday at London TV Studios in Waterloo. He hung out in the backstage green room with the boys and Kerry Mcfadden who shares the same management team as Ant and Dec.
(Kerry, incidentally, has been staying at the Conrad hotel in London this weekend. No word on whether she too has had the Robbie treatment!) Ant, Dec and Robbie travelled up to Newcastle yesterday to cheer on Rob's best mate Jonathan Wilkes who was taking part in the final of the Sky One celeb football reality TV show, The Match. Wonder if there were any attractive female footie fans on the sideline...

10/10/04

Chart-Topper Robbie Williams told a radio audience he would not mind a caravan at Great Yarmouth as a holiday home to rival Cannes and Barbados. Williams, whose entertainer father Pete Conway wooed holidaymakers at the seaside resort in the 70s and 80s, said on Radio One yesterday: "I would like to live on one of those sites they have with entertainment centres.
"Then I could see pop groups like I used to do when I was a kid," he told the breakfast show. Stuart Hinks, Seashore's general manager, said: "I can't say for sure whether Robbie stayed here, but a lot of people remember Robbie's dad well."
And Robbie would not be the first celebrity to show up at a British caravan site. "Gareth Gates stayed on a site at Reighton Sands, in North Yorkshire, earlier in the year, and the family of Patsy Palmer, the actress who played Bianca in EastEnders, is known to like caravans," said Mr Hinks. He apologised that the park's entertainment centre was looking a bit shabby - possibly not befitting a star who has played at the world's great arenas.
"We are planning to carry out £250,000 worth of refurbishment work this winter," he said.

09/10/04

FROM THE CONTACT MUSIC:

Pop hunk Robbie Williams will be following in Rod Stewart and Boy George's footsteps by hitting London's West End with a musical based on his life. The Radio singer wants the stage show to capture his beginnings in England's Stoke area, through to his days in boyband Take That and his subsequent battle with alcohol and drugs. A source says, "Robbie The MusicalL could be a winner in about 2020 - but if he doesn't want to be mercilessly ribbed by others in the pop industry, he should not even think about it. Musicals are fantastic fun but I'm afraid they are not cool."

07/10/04

FROM THE MIRROR:

Poor Robbie Williams. Despite being one of our best-loved pop stars and biggest heart-throbs, he's been reduced to a lonely bachelor existence since jetting back to Britain.
The 30-year-old - who's in the UK to promote his new single, Radio, his book and his greatest hits album - is dining alone every night after failing to find a lady to light up his life. Last weekend, desperate Robbie even instructed his pals to ring round London's top clubs and find out what parties were on - just so he could hit the town and maybe hook up with some women.
ALONE: Robbie
"He may have lots of cash and success but he's basically lonely," reveals a source close to the singer. "It's not like Rob can just pop to his local pub and meet a new girl - he can't even leave home without being mobbed. It makes things really tough." On his extended stay in London, Robbie has been staying at his swanky Chelsea Harbour apartment. And according to 3am spies, every day he hangs out at the nearby Conrad Hotel with just his bodyguard for company. The sexy singer would love someone special to entertain him and it's not as if he is short of female admirers. In the past he's been linked to a series of stunning stars, including Rachel Hunter, Nicole Appleton, Geri Halliwell and Anna Friel. In August, we revealed that he had been seeing 28-year-old Nip/Tuck actress Valerie Cruz, but that romance fizzled out after just a few dates. Our source says of Valerie, "She was just another woman that Rob really liked to start with but quickly lost interest in. "He just never finds the right woman. It's sad because he often talks about finding The One, but so far she's eluded him."
Sounds to us like Robbie is fast becoming the male Bridget Jones. He certainly ticks all the right boxes - yo-yoing weight, unlucky in love, runs around in his pants... Ironically, this week he will be shooting the video for his next single, Misunderstood - a song which will be tied in to the release of the Brit flick Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason. Robbie himself admits that love has eluded him. In his recently-released biography, Feel, he confesses, "I haven't been in love. Never... "I just want to find somebody I can go home to. I want to find somebody who is home - wherever they are, or wherever we are together, we are home. "I have quite a romantic vision of what love is. I think underneath all my songs about love, what I'm really trying to say is, 'Will someone please come and fix me?'" Any time Rob, any time...

06/10/04

SIR Elton John has again attacked Robbie Williams for accusing him of kidnap in his autobiography Feel.
Speaking at London's Q Magazine AWARDS in London last night (04OCT04), the Ricket Man singer questioned Williams' mental health, while his partner David Furnish tried to set the record straight. Williams claims in the book that John is "weird" and that he kidnapped him and forced him into a rehabilitation clinic at the height of his alcoholism. The pair have hardly spoken since. John said, "Robbie is not a well budgie." Furnish went into more detail, "We've read the excerpts from Robbie's book and we were hurt by what he said. "At the time Robbie needed our help. When he turned up at the house he hadn't been to bed for three days. We were really worried about him.
"We were worried if we didn't get help he'd be dead. I guess you could say we kidnapped him but at the time he asked for our help."

04/10/04

FROM CONTACT MUSIC:

Pop hunk Robbie Williams has ruled out a potential acting career, despite enjoying his cameo role in Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely. The former Take That star sings Porter's track It's De-Lovely in the rwin Winkler musical drama and also voices the character of DOUGAL in the forthcoming Magic Roundabout remake. However, Williams labels a career in acting "ridiculous" and has downplayed his role in the Hollywood film, saying, "Blink and you'll miss me. "I have no interest in acting. I think it's a ridiculous job. I just get so self-conscious. I turn completely robotic." And the Millennium hitmaker is amused by the British media's campaign to alert film-makers that Williams would be the ideal successor to Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond films.
Williams smirks, "Me from Stoke(-On-Trent, northern England), doing James Bond? I just don't see it happening. "Me going, 'Eh up Miss MoneyPenny, how ya goin' chuck?' I don't think so."

03/10/04

FROM DAILY RECORD:

Robbie Williams could be the next Elvis Presley, according to the movie maker who has worked with them both. Irwin Winkler, who directed Robbie's red-hot cameo performance in the musical De-Lovely, said: 'He's the most innovative, exciting performer today.'
'I thought nobody had the star potential that Elvis Presley had, but certainly Robbie does.' Winkler, whose hits include classics such as Raging Bull, Rocky and GoodFellas, directed Elvis in Double Trouble in 1966.He hired Robbie to play a wedding singer in De-Lovely, a big budget musical that stars Kevin Kline as songwriter Cole Porter. His confidence was confirmed as soon as Robbie stepped in front of the cameras. Winkler said: 'I just told him 'Do what you want' and he was great. He has great charisma and all those tattoos are covered by his tuxedo so he can transform himself. He's a really attractive guy.
'And as far as acting is concerned, he's really got it. He is a real personality, make no mistake.'
Winkler also revealed that it was thanks to another Elvis that Robbie got involved in De-Lovely, which features a host of stars such Mick Hucknall, Alanis Morisette and Sheryl Crow. He said: 'I think it was through Elvis Costello, who is also in De-Lovely, that Robbie heard about the movie. 'Then when I was asked if I'd like Robbie Williams in the movie I couldn't believe it was true.
'I had heard his Sinatra album and knew he'd be great!'
When word got out that he was to appear in De-Lovely there was more evidence of the big screen magnetism of Robbie. 'On the day we shot his scene I got all these calls from people asking if they could visit the set,' says the director.
Now it seems he could blossom in films. Ironically, though, Robbie won't appear on screen in his next movie. He's the voice of Dougal in a big screen version of TV cult classic animation The Magic Roundabout. De-Lovely is released today.

03/10/04

FROM IRISH EXAMINER

Beyonce Knowles' manager father wants her to duet with Robbie Williams, to help the British singer crack America. Matthew Knowles is convinced the former Take That star could be huge stateside if he collaborates with Beyonce - and the Destiny's Child star is keen on the idea too. He says: "Beyonce and him should do a duet. She really wants to do that, by the way. It would be a win-win for both of them."
But Knowles Sr insists breaking America shouldn't be the sole focus for foreign acts. "Concentrate on your base first," he said.
"Too many people become focused on America, but you are sitting on a gold mine and you don't know it. Destiny's Child's are bigger outside the US than they are at home."

02/10/04

Robbie Williams has revealed his dream woman - and sorry ladies, it's none other than gorgeous supermodel Cindy Crawford. The 30-year-old singer claims it was a case of a love at first sight - for him anyway - when he met her. "She is probably the best woman in the world - very nice and rounded and funny," the star told GWR radio. But Robbie will just have to stay single for the time being as the American model, 38, is happily married to nightclub boss Rande Gerber. And he may stay single for some time. When asked to describe exactly what it would take to become the future Mrs Williams, Robbie admitted it will be a tough job to choose. He added: "I'm so picky - I think `she has got the wrong trainers on' or`she walks with a limp'. I'm over-picky. "So the bar was high and then I met Cindy Crawford. She is married, she is happily married and the guy she is married to is a really nice guy. And they re very much in love which made her even more attractive."
Robbie, who this week admitted he wanted to bed former nurse Abi Titmuss, has enjoyed a string of high-profile relationships in the past including actress Anna Friel, All Saint Nicole Appleton, Rod Stewart's ex Rachel Hunter and Spice Girls Mel C and Geri Halliwell.
He added: "My perfect day probably consists of having my missus, my better half, with me who I love, adore and cherish, and my doggies. "And then I would like to play nine holes of golf. And then for the rest of the day I want to play five-a-side football for about six or seven hours. And then I'd come home and have a ****."

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