Robbie Williams addressed speculation about his sexuality while discussing his highly-anticipated biopic Better Man on Friday.
The singer, 50, explained how he found ‘safety’ and ‘total acceptance’ as he reflected on performing at gay clubs with Take That.
Speaking to The Guardian about his 2005 libel case against a tabloid that claimed he had engaged in ‘homosexual encounters’, Robbie said: ‘I’ve done everything but suck a c**k. Honestly, you’ve never met somebody that wants to be gay as much as me.’
He continued: ‘You want to be an ally while at the same time protecting your own authenticity and your own life.’
Now married to Ayda Field, whom he shares four children with, Robbie went onto discuss how his approach to his career has changed since first finding fame as a teenager.
The hitmaker said: ‘Daddy goes to work, that’s what I say now. It wasn’t a job before. It was something that was supposed to be magical and when I got to the top of the mountain all that was there was existential crisis.’
Robbie Williams got candid on Friday as he addressed speculation about his sexuality while discussing his highly-anticipated biopic Better Man
The singer explained how he found ‘safety’ and ‘total acceptance’ as he reflected on performing at gay clubs with Take That; pictured 1991 L-R Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Robbie
Left to right: Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Robbie
‘People say ‘how dare you call it a job, all you do is X, Y and Z’, but just because your job is shit doesn’t mean my job has to be shit. This is my job – and I f***ing love it.’
Robbie appears as CGI monkey in his upcoming ‘fantastical’ biopic, Better Man, and the singer-songwriter has been working on the project since 2021 – with the film set for release on December 26.
It comes after Robbie couldn’t contain his excitement as he posed for selfies with fans at the Better Man premiere in the Netherlands on Tuesday night.
The singer was mobbed by fans as he walked the red carpet at the Royal Theater Tuschinski.
Robbie cut a dapper figure during the evening in a smart navy Emporio Armani jacket which he teamed with matching trousers and a long coat.
The Let Me Entertain You singer opted for a white top beneath the navy ensemble and layered two gold necklaces.
The hitmaker spiked his short greying tresses up as he flashed his smile while posing for photos ahead of the screening.
Fans who braved the cold weather looked thrilled as Robbie took time out during the event to pose for pictures with them.
Speaking about his 2005 libel case against a tabloid that claimed he had engaged in ‘homosexual encounters’, Robbie said: ‘I’ve done everything but suck a cock. Honestly, you’ve never met somebody that wants to be gay as much as me’
Now married to Ayda Field, whom he shares four children with, Robbie went onto discuss how his approach to his career has changed since first finding fame as a teenager
The hitmaker said: ‘Daddy goes to work, that’s what I say now. It wasn’t a job before. It was something that was supposed to be magical and when I got to the top of the mountain all that was there was existential crisis.’
The singer is portrayed by actor Jonno Davies in the form of a CGI monkey in the film. While Jonno, takes on the role of younger Robbie, the singer is heard in the voiceover and later plays the older version of himself.
The official synopsis reads: ‘Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
‘Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (‘The Greatest Showman’), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit.
‘It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.’
Last month, Robbie revealed his beloved mother Janet’s dementia diagnosis – four years after the singer revealed his dad Pete had Parkinson’s.
When asked about his parents thoughts on the film, Robbie told HELLO! ‘My mum’s currently got dementia – like my nan in the film – and my dad’s got Parkinsons and can’t get out of bed. So I’m in a different part of my life right now.’
Back in 2020 Robbie revealed his father Pete had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, admitting at the time that he was fighting ‘fear and panic’ over his father’s diagnosis.
It comes after Robbie couldn’t contain his excitement as he posed for selfies with fans at the Better Man premiere in the Netherlands on Tuesday night
Last month, Robbie revealed his beloved mother Janet’s dementia diagnosis – four years after the singer revealed his dad Pete had Parkinson’s (pictured together in 2019)
He told The Mirror that receiving the diagnosis during Covid made things extra difficult as he and his wife Ayda and their children were self-isolating thousands of miles away from his parents in Los Angeles.
We’ve got a lot of family issues right now. My dad has got Parkinson’s, my mother-in-law who I love dearly has got a very big illness. We can’t get to them. My dad is thousands of miles away.’
Robbie added of his mum at the time: ‘My mum is just a year short of 80 and she’s in isolation and I can see the things whirling in her mind and her eyes going.’
The former Take That star has been joined by his father Pete, who is also a singer, many times on stage.
Robbie’s parents split in 1977. The pair also share daughter Sally, who is 11 years Robbie’s senior.