Robbie Williams explains why he didn’t consult with Gary Barlow about Netflix documentary
Singer said previous chats with Take That star about a planned biopic were ‘uncomfortable’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Robbie Williams has explained why he didn’t feel the need to talk to former Take That band member and rival Gary Barlow during the making of his new Netflix documentary.
The “Angels” and “Rock DJ” singer is the subject of a new four-part series in which he looks back on archive footage of his life, and offers his commentary on events including the dissolution of Take That, his short-lived relationship with Geri Halliwell and his struggles with mental health.
In episode one of the documentary, Williams details his fractured relationship with Barlow during his time in the hugely successful boyband when the pair were in their late teens.
The singer described being in Take That as “a pressure cooker” and said that, on top of the intensity that came with being one of the most famous people in the country, he also had to deal with “an assurance about Gaz and his ability mixed with a coldness”.
Williams said in the documentary: “It seemed like there was one person being managed in Take That, and it was Gary Barlow. It was all geared around him and, as young person, I would have been jealous of that. I suppose a lot of me resented him.”
Speaking about the docuseries ahead of its release, The Indepedent asked Williams if he had consulted with Barlow about the docuseries ahead of, during or after filming.
“No, because legally I didn’t have to,” he replied. However, he said he previously had chats with Barlow about the planned biopic on Williams’s life, titled Better Man.
“I’ve had to have chats there, yeah, and they are uncomfortable,” he told The Independent, adding: “The chats have been uncomfortable. Needless to say, when the biopic was being [discussed], there were several c***s in that film. Now there’s only one – it’s me.”
Williams also opened up about the “trauma” he experienced reliving footage of his younger self.
“As humans, nobody likes looking at photographs of themselves and no one likes hearing their own voice, so if you multiply that by watching yourself suffer with mental illness, breakdowns, alcoholism, depression, [and] agoraphobia, you’re in a tortuous headlock where you’re forced to watch the car crash in slo-mo,” the singer said, wryly adding: “It’s all right – it’s gonna work out for me.”
Robbie Williams is available to stream on Netflix now.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments