Latest stories at the top of the page
20/03/04
Secret party for Rob
Robbie Williams is, they say, going to attend a lavish 30th birthday party at Skibo Castle in Scotland.
Hmmm. I think my invitation must have been lost in the post!
See story from BBC News
11/03/04
Go south young man
Lorraine is running a petition for Robbie to go to Latin America.
The petition is called: "Latin America demands a Robbie Williams tour"
I like the idea - a latino style Rob.
Lorraine - it's a good idea...!
09/03/04
What's his address?
One of the big things we all would like to know the answer to is: what's the best address to write a letter to Robbie to?
Well, I don't know ther answer but a lot of people think they do - take a look at the Robbie Questions & Answers section, where some of us have a few ideas.
06/03/04
Rob is, er, confirmed as international star!
At the German music industry's Echo awards, seen as among the world's most important after the Grammys and Brits, Rob picked up Best International Male rock/pop artist for a third consecutive year.
Running limply behind our Rob were Justin Timberlake, Seal and Eros Ramazzotti.
"Thank you Germany for making me truly an international pop
star," said Robbie in a bit of an ironic video message in which he
mocked his critics who point to his troubles breaking into the
U.S. market despite his success elsewhere.
Rob missed the troubles encountered by presenter Guelcan Karahanci, a German television music video host, who needed help to hold her dress on after the tight-fitting fabric ripped. Karahanci said she was not trying to imitate Janet Jackson's famous "wardrobe malfunction".
"I really didn't plan this -- honest," she said. Yeah... right!
06/03/04
Happy Sally
Sally is Rob's big sis - who now lives in Newcastle (in Staffordshire) with her long-term partner Paul Symonds.
Well, she just got married to Paul, according to British newspaper The Sun!
They'd flown to Los Angeles to celebrate Robbie’s 30th when Robbie agreed to fork out for a sudden wedding for them!
Robbie absolutely loves to death Sally & Paul's littl'un, so maybe that had something to do with it too!
25/02/04
Rich guy!
Robbie - as you'd kinda expect - is in the list of the music world's biggest earners even though it's dominated by old-timers.
The Rolling Stones top the list with a £55.3 million pay-day last year after a lucrative world tour and accompanying DVDs. Sir Paul McCartney - last year's number one - was second with earnings of £40 million, followed by Sir Elton John with £34 million. Both amassed their fortunes thanks to successful tours in 2003.
Robbie made £30 million last year and is in fourth place after his record-breaking Knebworth gigs, which spawned a best-selling live album and DVD.
Coldplay, Sting, Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac, & Iron Maiden were the opthers in the top ten.
23/02/04
Guy owes it to Jan
Robbie Williams' former songwriter has admitted that Rob's mum helped pick him for the job. Guy Chambers, who was talking to M - the magazine of the Performing Right Society and the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society - last month, said that Robbie's move to to Los Angeles was the thing that broke them apart.
Guy, who co-wrote hits like Angels, Rock DJ and Let Me Entertain You, as well as co-produced all of Robbie's first five albums, said things had been deteriorating for a year before.
He also revealed that Robbie's mother, Jan, also played a part in the singer choosing him as a collaborator. "Rob had ten writers' names on a piece of paper and he picked mine - I was about number six - I was lucky," said Guy. "I think his mum liked the Lemon Trees". The Lemon Trees being Guy's old band.
Talking of Guy, the classically-trained singer-teenager Charlotte Church is launching her pop career backed by Guy and, er, rising from the grave(!), Rob's old pal Gary Barlow.
13/02/04
Birthday Boy
The big day! The word is that Rob took it quietly in LA; and his mum Jan went out there to make sure he does.
But what do you give the lad who has everything? (and I do mean EVERYTHING!)
Well, we decided that our present to him would be a series of pictures of his home-town, with a little bit of tongue-in-cheek humour thrown in.
Robbie.... this is for you... on your special day - from us here at BBC Staffordshire - Your Early Life Story.
Happy birthday...
12/02/04
Port Vale of tears
Bad news for Rob - his beloved Port Vale Football Club is in trouble again, after its manager departs abruptly. See full story
11/02/04
Magic Roundabout starts to spin
Love Actually star Bill Nighy's the latest name to join Robbie in the movie version of kids favourites The Magic Roundabout.
He joins top billing Robbie, Joanna Lumley, Kylie Minogue and Ray Winstone, as the spaced-out, guitar-playing rabbit Dylan, who spends most of his time sleeping.
Robbie will play Dougal and Kylie is the voice of Florence. The film is due for release in spring next year and maker Pathe believes it will rival the success of its previous hit Chicken Run.
05/02/04
Jan answers your q's
Jan Williams, Robbie's mum, appeared on radio in his home town of Stoke on Friday 6th of February.
She answered fans' questions, especially about the Robster's childhood and youth.
Hear what Jan had to say
22/01/04
OOOOOOOoooooo!!
Well, guess what!
Slinky ol' Jonathan Wilkes , Robbie's best mate from Rob's Stoke days, has gone and got married to his sweetheart Nikki.
The ceremony took place in LA at Robbie's home (by the pool actually) with our Rob himself the best of best men. Nice one.
Jon, it's said, has Nikki tattooed on one of his inside thighs, and Robbie on the other inside thigh.
Sweet.
Anyway, you can wish Jonathan best wishes on the messageboard, if you want.
Personally, if I'd have been invited (I wasn't... strangely enough...!), I'd have loved the chance just to flick through Robbie's CD collection. Yes, that's how nerdy I am.
21/01/04
Robbie's 'Feel' is Europe's biggest
Robbie Williams had the most-played song on European radio in 2003, a survey says. Read the full story from BBC News
21/01/04
Meanwhile .... as the big day approaches, Robbie's home-town of Stoke on Trent is gearing up. The BBC local radio station, BBC Radio Stoke, are playing Robbie all day, and having a special outside broadcast between 1pm-4pm at in his former local pub, The Sneyd Arms in Tunstall town. All in honour of his 30th
19/01/04
Party-time ... not
Well, if we were all hoping for a big big party on Robbie's 30th birthday (in February), it WON'T be at Robbie's.
The boy himself has had a tough past twelve months so the official word is: he's taking it quiet in LA.
Aw, Shame!
Meanwhile Lynn has dreamed up a lovely way to get a present to Robbie in the form he'd like best.
She's collecting messages for a huge birthday card for him - and what's more the effort should benefit UNICEF, which works for children all over the world. It's one of the Robster's favourite causes.
You can see the card at www.birthdaycard2004.co.uk!
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
Er.... did anyone else know this?
We heard that "...Pathe Films are working on The Magic Roundabout Movie, with Robbie Williams voicing Dougal and Kylie Minogue as Florence..".
Wasn't Dougal the slightly puzzled dog? Not brilliant casting I don't think - or is it?
16/01/04
New Robbie Williams pix
Check out the latest gallery of Robbie Williams pix, including some exclusive shots of his concert at Knebworth. Click here for more
12/01/04
Robbie and Darkness
Our Rob definitely knows how to back a winner.
The Darkness who did support at Knebworth, are the most hotly-tipped band for this year's Brit awards. See Brit report.
Rob himself can't be nominated cos of some dodgy rules (see entry for 4/12/03 below) so, i guess, if we can't support Robbie, let's support The D!
05/01/04
Rob loves, er, M?
Amanda writes in on the messageboards with the predictions that she's heard for Rob for 2004.
The lad will be married by 2005 (she says) to a blonde called Michele.
As Amanda says - sucks for all the brunettes out there!
| | The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites |
| |
Robbie practices backstage before a performance...
