As British pop icon Robbie Williams prepares to embark on a highly anticipated UK and European stadium tour starting May 31 in Edinburgh, he finds himself ready to engage not only his fans but also his family, especially his 10-year-old son, Charlie. In a recent interview, Williams revealed his primary aim for the tour is simple: “I want to make people happy and transport them somewhere else …if only for a couple of hours,” he stated, highlighting the significance of performing to his family, particularly after a poignant moment at Hyde Park last year where Charlie recognised his father’s celebrity status beyond the parental role of enforcing discipline.

The tour will see Williams performing in major cities, including London, Manchester, Bath, and Newcastle, and will involve his children—Charlie, Teddy, aged 12, Coco, six, and Beau, four—attending selected performances. Williams is following a year characterised by promotional activities for his autobiographical film, “Better Man,” and his forthcoming art exhibition titled “Radical Honesty.”

This tour coincides with the reunion of the band Oasis, which has been historically associated with Williams due to their past rivalry. Speaking about the Gallagher brothers, Williams complimented Liam Gallagher, asserting his voice has been pivotal in music history: “Liam’s voice is peerless…he was, and is the voice of a generation.” Reflecting on the nostalgia stirred by their music, he commented, “It will be nostalgia on steroids…and hopefully it’ll be healing for the lads too.”

While his professional life appears vibrant, Williams has candidly shared the personal challenges he faces. In a recent article, he discussed his ongoing struggles with mental health, revealing that he experienced a troubling episode of depression at the beginning of the year, a setback he had not encountered in a decade. This resurgence of mental health difficulties comes amidst family health issues, including his mother’s battle with dementia and his father’s Parkinson’s disease.

Robbie acknowledged the complex emotions surrounding these family circumstances, sharing an observation from his wife, Ayda, regarding the nature of his depression, stating: “If your depression could talk, what would it say?” He described his feelings not as reactions to specific stressors but more as a pervasive condition without clear cause.

In addition to these challenges, Williams addressed his struggle with body dysmorphia and its serious ramifications—he revealed he developed scurvy, a condition resulting from a severe vitamin C deficiency, after using an appetite suppressant to lose weight. “I’d stopped eating and I wasn’t getting nutrients,” he explained. Acknowledging past issues with anorexia, he reflected on the ramifications of drastic weight loss, recounting his thoughts when people expressed concern about his appearance, equating it to a confirmation of success given his condition.

Despite these trials, Williams emphasised his commitment to maintaining his mental health, realising that self-care is paramount: “The most important thing is for yourself to be okay…and not causing chaos in mine or anybody else’s life.” This introspection underscores his understanding that personal well-being is critical to facing life’s challenges.

With the tour set to extend through the summer across various locations, Robbie Williams is poised not only to entertain but also to navigate his personal battles in the public eye. The artist’s readiness to confront these issues and share his experiences amplifies the complexity of his return to the stage.

Source: Noah Wire Services