Robbie Williams Publicly Apologises to Gary Barlow, Ending Decades-Long Feud
Robbie Williams has officially put his decades-long feud with Gary Barlow to rest, offering a heartfelt public apology to his former Take That bandmate during a recent concert in Manchester. The emotional confession took place at the War Child gig held at Aviva Studios, where Williams openly addressed their tumultuous history and expressed deep regret for his past behaviour.
Decades of Tension and Public Insults
The rivalry between Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow dates back to their early days in Take That, the iconic pop group that rose to fame in the 1990s. Williams, who was a member from 1990 to 1995 before launching a solo career in 1996, admitted to feeling sidelined as Barlow served as the primary songwriter and leader of the band. This sense of exclusion fuelled years of public animosity, with Williams famously vowing to "crush" Barlow and branding him "clueless" in various interviews.
Gary Barlow later revealed that this period had a severe impact on his self-esteem, leading to a 13-month stretch where he barely left his house. The feud escalated as both musicians competed in the charts, with Barlow achieving a number one hit with Forever Love while Williams initially struggled, landing at number two with Freedom. Williams' career was ultimately salvaged by the massive success of his single Angels, which Barlow himself acknowledged as a "great song" that secured Williams' foothold in the industry.
Reconciliation and Public Apology
The turning point in their relationship came in 2010 when Robbie Williams re-joined Take That for the Progress album and tour. This reunion paved the way for healing, culminating in the release of their duet Shame, which reflected on their broken bond. However, it was during last night's War Child gig that Williams made his most public amends.
Reflecting on a recent Netflix documentary that analysed their rivalry, Williams asked the audience, "Did anybody see the Take That documentary?" He then confessed, "I have to say I was a bit of a 'c---' in the second episode. I don't think anybody has seen a man smugger than Robbie Williams in the second episode. And you know what, I felt really bad."
Williams elaborated on his remorse, stating, "I felt f-----g horrible about it. I'd been horrible to Gary, horrible to Mark [Owen], horrible to Howard [Donald] and I was genuinely thinking about it for days and days and days and I'd go to bed at night and I was thinking I've gotta apologise again." He concluded with a clear affirmation of their renewed friendship, adding, "But just to clarify, I f-----g love Gary Barlow now. And he loved me. There's only so many times I can apologise now."
Insights from the Netflix Documentary
The Netflix series, released last month, provided further context to their feud, featuring unearthed interviews where Gary Barlow expressed confusion over Williams' actions. Barlow was heard saying, "I don't understand it at all, I don't understand how someone can sit there after being so close to people for so long and to say the things he does. I think it's Rob's way of staying famous."
The documentary also highlighted the competitive nature of their relationship, with one journalist noting that Williams' early solo efforts, including a George Michael cover song, were intentionally chosen to undermine Barlow, who aspired to be the next George Michael. Archive footage showed Barlow recalling, "That's when it became really competitive. We were both trying to do the same thing and you know, only one person can win."
Despite the years of bitterness, both musicians have since moved on, with Williams' public apology marking a definitive end to their feud. This emotional moment not only underscores the power of reconciliation but also highlights the enduring legacy of Take That in pop culture history.
