Robbie Williams has revealed he was in the grips of a severe drug addiction and checked himself into rehab on his 33rd birthday after telling his then-girlfriend to ‘f*** off’
The One Show: Robbie Williams chats about upcoming film
Robbie Williams’ new movie biopic titled Better Man is releasing in cinemas today (December 26) and the film will portray the singer’s life and career, including the bad times.
The performer previously shockingly revealed that he “didn’t care” if he died from his drug addiction before he finally sought help and entered rehab.
The former Take That sensation, , was previously the focus of Netflix’s four-part docuseries. In the series, Robbie, alongside his wife Ayda Field, opened up about his well-documented struggle with drugs during the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Ayda, 44, recalled the first time she witnessed the ‘Angels’ hitmaker under the influence, saying: “It was my entry into addiction.” She observed that while his personality didn’t seem to change, he would suddenly be sick even while just watching TV, reports th e Express.
Robbie also confessed that as his addiction worsened, he felt it might be better if he were no longer alive. “There was a sense of…it would be better if I passed away, I didn’t care and it would be alright,” Robbie disclosed. He further reflected: “For me to change I’d need to be dying, die or stop what you’re doing.”
Reports suggested that Robbie’s battle with substance abuse began around the time he made headlines for leaving Take That in 1995, following a trip to Glastonbury Festival with Oasis stars Noel and Liam Gallagher. According to The Guardian, his first stint in a rehabilitation clinic in Wiltshire came shortly after he parted ways with the band.
Yet, the father-of-four checked himself into rehab once more on his 33rd birthday. In a poignant phone call, Robbie ended his relationship with his then-girlfriend Ayda.
Reflecting on the momentous late-night conversation, Ayda shared: “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’.”
Robbie reminisced about admitting to Ayda: “My management has done an intervention and they’re gonna take me to rehab.”
Ayda recollected the ensuing conversation: “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’.” 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’.”
This left her utterly heartbroken as she said: “I was so crestfallen. He was my soulmate and then he was gone.” Despite those trying times, he and Ayda rekindled their romance, eventually tying the knot and starting a family.
Better Man is in cinemas now
