In the aftermath of Liam Payne‘s tragic death last month, Robbie Williams expressed his heartfelt condolences for the star, whom he described as a “handsome, talented boy” while sharing what seemed to be one of their last email exchanges.
The 50-year-old ‘Angels’ singer opened up about his feelings of “shock, sadness and confusion” following the news of Liam’s sudden death at just 31-years-old.
He reflected on how Liam’s “trials and tribulations were very similar” to his own experiences, which he’s been open and honest about in the past, and which he reflected on in his Netflix documentary last year.
Robbie, who similarly found fame in a boyband with Take That, took to Instagram to share his thoughts on Liam’s untimely passing and discuss his own battles with addiction over the years.
Liam‘s heartbreaking death sparked a call for change in the music industry, with Robbie’s Angels collaborator and songwriter Guy Chambers suggesting that under-18s should not be allowed to join pop bands.
Chambers, who was close friends and a writing partner of Robbie Williams, has now teamed up with other industry figures to advocate for changes.
He believes that thrusting young teenagers into an adult-dominated industry could be “potentially damaging”. He cited Robbie’s experience during his rise to fame with Take That in the 1990s as an example,
Wife Ayda Field opened up on the reality of living with a former teen star in the Netflix documentary, and told viewers about a heartbreaking phone call that ended her relationship with Robbie.
The four-part series launched on November 8 2023 and gave fans an insight into life behind closed doors for the former Take That star.
Robbie and actress Ayda have been married since 2010 but the mum-of-four admits they did call time for a period due to his battles with addiction.
As we previously reported, Ayda recalls one morning before his 33rd birthday when the musician called her and admitted he was being sent to rehab by his team.
Visibly emotional, Ada reflects on her experiences with Robbie taking drugs as she admitted: “It was my entry into addiction.
“You wouldn’t notice his personality change but all of a sudden he would throw up watching TV.”
Talking about Robbie’s heartbreaking confession to her that he felt he would be better off dead because of his issues, she added: “There was a sense of… It would be better if I passed away, I didn’t care and it would be alright,” he said. “For me to change I’d need to be dying, die or stop what you’re doing.”
She went on: “I remember it was 2am and I called him and I was like, ‘I am just getting on the highway’ and he’s like, ‘Are you driving? Call me when you get home.’
“And he is like, ‘I can’t be in a relationship, I have to get better and I can’t be with you. I have to break up with you.”
And, telling viewers she felt “crestfallen” by Robbie’s problems, she added: “And it was like, I understood it because I saw that he was unwell and I remember thinking, ‘I just want you to get better.’
“He was my soulmate and then he was gone.”
The pair eventually got back together and now live in LA together with their four kids Teddy, 11, Charlie, nine, Coco, five, and Beau, four.
Robbie previously revealed it was hard for him to look back on some of his more painful memories touched upon in the series.
He said: “It was like watching a crash you were involved in, but in slo-mo. It was like enduring your mental illness at a very, very slow pace, over a very, very long time. And it’s a niche thing to experience, you know. There aren’t many support groups for it.”
In a detailed caption regarding his relationship with Liam, Robbie stated last month: “How to make sense of the Liam Payne tragedy?” He continued: “Obviously, my first feelings towards his passing were like everyone else. Shock, sadness and confusion. And to be honest as I write these words that’s where I still am.”
He went on to say: “I met the boys on The X Factor and ‘mentored’ them. I use the word mentored in inverted brackets cos I hardly did anything to be honest. I just hung out with them. They were all cheeky and lovely.
“I enjoyed the light hearted piss takery and Thought about all the times I was that cheeky pisstaker with the Popstars that had gone before me when I was in Take That.
“Our paths have crossed ever since that day and I’m fond of them all. Liam’s trials and tribulations were very similar to mine, so it made sense to reach out and offer what I could. So I did.”
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