Williams, Robbie (1974– )

English pop star. He was a member of the band Take That from 1990 to 1995, before embarking on a solo career. In 1996 he released his first solo single, a cover of George Michael's ‘Freedom '90’ called ‘Freedom '96’, and in 1997 released his first solo album, Life Thru a Lens, featuring the hit singles ‘Angels’ and ‘Old Before I Die’. His second album I've Been Expecting You was released in 1998, and his single ‘Millennium’ reached number one in the charts in the same year. He won an unprecedented six nominations for the 1999 Brit Awards.

He released The Ego Has Landed, a compilation album geared to US audiences, in 1999, Sing When You're Winning, featuring the hit singles ‘Rock DJ’ and ‘The Road to Mandalay’, in 2000, and Escapology in 2002.

He was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England. As a child he developed an interest in acting and joined the local theatre company, appearing in musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof and Oliver. He also landed a part in the TV soap opera Brookside. As a solo artist he collaborated on soundtracks to films, including the songs ‘Have You Met Miss Jones?’ and ‘Not of this Earth’ for Bridget Jones's Diary, and a remake of ‘We Are the Champions’ with the band Queen for A Knight's Tale. In 2001 he topped charts with a remake of ‘Somethin' Stupid’, in a duet with Australian actor Nicole Kidman.