Robbie Williams and Harry Styles have a lot in common… (Picture: Getty Images)
Robbie Williams reckons he sees ‘a lot’ of himself in pop legend Harry Styles, but not for the reason you might think.
The 48-year-old shot to fame as a teenager in the 90s alongside fellow Take That members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Mark Owen, and has since gone on to enjoy a hugely successful solo career.
This story will sound familiar to fans of Harry, who of course found global fame as a teenager in One Direction alongside bandmates Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne.
The former teen icon is now taking over the charts with his own solo career, with 2022’s As It Was breaking records for the length of time it dominated the top spot.
Now Robbie has reflected on both their careers and admits he sees parallels between them.
Speaking to friend and presenter Scott Mills in a recent interview, Robbie said he sees ‘a lot’ of similarities between himself and Harry.
‘Absolutely. I see a lot,’ he said.
Robbie shot to fame as a teenager with boy band Take That (Picture: Getty Images)
The story is a familiar one to fans of Harry and One Direction (Picture: Getty Images)
As well as their careers and music, Robbie joked: ‘The algorithm on my YouTube threw up a video of Harry Styles talking in between songs and what he was talking about was a bit of nonsense, like I talk about – just a bit of banter.
‘It was like, I see what he’s doing. He’s trying to fill a space… That stage is massive and it’s a lonely place.
‘You’d better throw some shapes or you’re just going to feel awkward.’
During the conversation, on a special BBC Radio 2 show Robbie Williams: My Life Thru A Lens, Robbie also discussed his leaving Take That and the impact on his relationship with former bandmate Gary.
And he revealed that, when he left, he was ‘in the middle of a nervous breakdown – the first of many.’
‘All the information going into the computer had made the computer overload … So it felt like I was in some sort of burning building and I needed to get out.
‘That’s how it felt at the time. Then I was like, “okay, I’ll do this tour and then I’ll leave.” And they actually went, “Actually, if you’re going to leave, can you go now?”‘
Angels singer Robbie says he used to talk ‘nonsense’ on stage (Picture: Redferns)
… which is exactly what he says Harry does now (Picture: Getty Images for Citi)
He added that he ‘made sure’ there was chart rivalry between himself and Gary when they both went on to solo careers, ‘because that’s what the 90s was about.’
‘It’s your tribe against their tribe,’ he said, adding he was interested in ‘conflict’ as he ‘got some sort of kick from it.’
He added, however, that ‘Gary didn’t feel the same way and he didn’t get a kick from it.’
‘Because he was a well-rounded grown-up that didn’t need that sort of inflammation in his life,’ he said, joking that he ‘so badly wanted him to respond.’
At this point in their lives however the pair have repaired their friendship, with Robbie explaining they are ‘family.’
‘I will always be the younger brother and he will always be the older brother. And I did things that I’m not proud of, and said things I’m not proud of as a reaction to things that I hope he’s not that proud of either. That being said, taking the mickey out of Gary, he didn’t deserve that.’
The star revealed he purposely battled Gary in the charts (Picture: Getty Images)
Robbie’s comments come after it was reported that he and Gary will be rivalling each other again – this time in the wine world.
The Angels singer is seemingly about to release his own brand of wine, after Gary launched his own Organic wine range just over a year ago.
The Millenium star filed to trademark the name Rude Rise with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office with a title giving a nod to his 2006 record Rudebox, and is reportedly due to release a range of wine and spirits.
More: Trending
Robbie himself has been sober for 20 years.
Robbie Williams: My Life Thru a Lens is available on BBC Sounds from December 30 and airs on BBC Radio 2 on January 1 at 5pm.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Robbie Williams could rival Gary Barlow in the wine world as he ‘prepares to launch his own range’
Straight from the horse’s mouth.
