Robert Peter Maximillian Williams (born 13 February 1974 in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire) is an English pop singer.
Williams' early pop career started with the hit boy band Take That. The band was formed in 1990 and proved to be highly successful, with 8 UK Number 1 singles to their credit. Their popularity led to a succession of similar bands in the UK. However, it has since been suggested that Williams' 'roguish' qualities meant that he didn't fit into the band, and he frequently battled with his fellow band members and his management. He left the band in 1995. After leaving the band, the final Take That album 'Nobody Else' was re-issued in some markets excluding songs where Robbie Williams' was the lead vocalist. The final Take That single 'How Deep is Your Love' is the only one that didn't feature Robbie.
In November 2005, ITV1 screened a documentary on Take That, including the reasons behind Williams' departure, including interviews with Williams and his former fellow band members. Robbie Williams declined the offer to reunite with the band but spoke to them via a pre recorded video message.
After leaving Take That, Williams immersed himself in the pop lifestyle. This included an affected swagger and an infamous appearance during Oasis's headlining set at Glastonbury in 1995. This led to a highly publicised battle with drug and alcohol addiction, during which he put on nearly 40 pounds (18 kg) and was often seen in public poorly dressed, dirty and unshaven. After a well-publicised fallout with Oasis, Noel Gallagher famously refused to recognise him as anything but "that fat dancer from Take That".
