After Robbie Williams announced a run of shows that will coincide with the release of his latest studio album, he made his first BBC Radio 1 live lounge visit for 15 years
Robbie Williams decided to push back the release of his album five months because he was desperate to create music history – and cursed Taylor Swift for making him wait!
If Britpop tops the UK albums chart it will mark Robbie’s 16th number one, putting him ahead of The Beatles’ long-standing achievement. The pop star says he is so obsessed with landing the title that he held new record back until February after hearing he would have to go head-to-head with Taylor in the charts.
He happily admits he was running scared as he made his first BBC Radio 1 live lounge visit for 15 years. He joined Rickie, Melvin and Charlie as he belted out some of his classic hits but it’s the future he’s thinking of – and he says he is desperate to hit top spot early in 2026.
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“The album should have been coming out this week, but for Taylor Swift. I mean, I’m still a big deal – but I’m not competing with that! So… I’ve gone and shifted it, haven’t I?” he said, as Taylor released The Life of a Showgirl, which is almost certain to the the 35-year-old secure her 14th number one album in the UK.
He was then reminded that if he does manage to chart in first place, that he will will overhaul the legendary Beatles as the artist with the most number one albums in the UK. “When those words leave your mouth, it’s life leaving this reality and going into a separate one that I don’t understand… but I’ll take!” Robbie went on.
“I’m really competitive, that’s why I moved the album. I’m sure I’m not supposed to say it, but it would genuinely be out now. I desperately want that thing! I want that, please!”
The former Take That star has just announced his Long 90’s Tour kicks off in Glasgow at Barrowlands Ballroom on February 4 2026, with Robbie playing Liverpool Olympia on the day of the album’s release, February 6.
The 51-year-old will also play 02 Academy Brixton in London on February 8 and Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall on February 9. The tour announcement coincides with the release of his latest single, Pretty Face, which follows previously released songs from the album – Rocket, Spies and Human.
The Britpop cover shows Robbie in his red tracksuit outfit that he wore to attend Glastonbury Festival in 1995, at the height of the Britpop era. His other chart-topping albums include Life Thru A Lens (1997), I’ve Been Expecting You (1998), Escapology (2002), Intensive Care (2005) and Rudebox (2006).
He has also had seven number one singles in the UK with songs including Millennium, Rock DJ and Candy. Speaking about the album, he said: “I set out to create the album that I wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995.
“It was the peak of Britpop and a golden age for British music. I’ve worked with some of my heroes on this album; it’s raw, there are more guitars and it’s an album that’s even more upbeat and anthemic than usual.
“There’s some ‘Brit’ in there and there’s certainly some ‘pop’ too – I’m immensely proud of this as a body of work and I’m excited for fans to hear this album.”
Source: Mirror
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