Robbie Williams has candidly confessed that the demands of his successful music career have led him to become an 'absent parent' during his extensive world tour. The singer spent five months away from home on his BRITPOP tour, which launched in Edinburgh on May 31st and took him across Europe, including stops in Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Sweden, before concluding in October.
Family Sacrifices and Marital Tribute
In a heartfelt interview with the Mirror, Williams revealed the personal cost of his professional commitments. He admitted, 'This tour, in particular, I've been an absent parent,' acknowledging the time missed with his four children: Teddy, 12, Charlie, 10, Coco, seven, and Beau, five. The singer also expressed deep gratitude for his wife, Ayda, whom he married in 2010 and is the mother of their children.
Williams paid tribute to Ayda in his song Pretty Face, the lead single from his BRITPOP album. He shared, 'When I sing it, I think about my wife. And I'm a big fan of marriage. I understand why people do it now. I didn't understand, coming from a broken home. But marriage has actually made me the man that I am. So, you know, the lyrics in that song are true. She's turned a boy into a man.'
Chart-Topping Success and Upcoming Tour
Despite the personal sacrifices, Williams's career continues to soar. His new album, BRITPOP, was released three weeks earlier than planned, with its artwork projected onto famous London landmarks. Originally scheduled for October, the release was delayed to February to avoid competition with Taylor Swift's Life Of A Showgirl, a move Williams described as smart, admitting he 'couldn't compete' with the American star.
This strategic decision paid off handsomely. BRITPOP made Official Albums Chart history by becoming Williams's 16th UK Number One album, surpassing The Beatles to set a new record for the most chart-topping LPs by any artist in UK history. Williams expressed his joy, stating, 'BRITPOP is the record I've always wanted to make, and seeing it become my 16th Number 1 album means everything to me. Thank you to all the fans who have been with me every step of the way. You've made my dreams come true.'
Album Inspiration and Collaborations
BRITPOP, Williams's 13th studio album, marks a return to guitar-driven sounds inspired by the Britpop era that influenced his early solo career after leaving Take That in 1995. The album features singles such as Rocket, Spies, Human, Pretty Face, and All My Life, and includes collaborations with notable artists like Chris Martin of Coldplay, Gaz Coombes, Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi, Mexican pop duo Jesse and Joy, and former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow.
Reflecting on the project, Williams explained, 'I set out to create the album that I wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995. It was the peak of Britpop and a golden age for British Music. I've worked with some of my heroes on this album; it's raw, there are more guitars and it's an album that's even more upbeat and anthemic than usual. There's some 'Brit' in there and there's certainly some 'pop' too – I'm immensely proud of this as a body of work and I'm excited for fans to hear this album.'
Looking Ahead
Williams is not slowing down, with his Long 90s UK tour scheduled to begin next month. He will perform in cities including Glasgow, Liverpool, London, and Wolverhampton, continuing to balance his thriving career with family life. His journey from a chart-topping debut with Life Thru a Lens in 1997 to this latest milestone underscores his enduring appeal and the personal challenges that come with global stardom.
