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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Williams enters rehab on birthday | Williams enters rehab on birthday |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Pop singer Robbie Williams has been admitted into a rehab clinic in the US on his 33rd birthday, to be treated for a dependency on prescription drugs. | Pop singer Robbie Williams has been admitted into a rehab clinic in the US on his 33rd birthday, to be treated for a dependency on prescription drugs. |
| It is not the first time the British star has entered rehab, having become addicted to drugs and alcohol after he left Take That in 1995. | It is not the first time the British star has entered rehab, having become addicted to drugs and alcohol after he left Take That in 1995. |
| He said later that his condition was so bad that Sir Elton John "kidnapped" him and made him seek treatment. | He said later that his condition was so bad that Sir Elton John "kidnapped" him and made him seek treatment. |
| In September, his Asian tour was called off because of stress and exhaustion. | In September, his Asian tour was called off because of stress and exhaustion. |
| The Los Angeles-based performer was to have visited Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Mumbai (Bombay) and Bangalore in November. | The Los Angeles-based performer was to have visited Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Mumbai (Bombay) and Bangalore in November. |
| A spokesman said at the time that to have performed in those cities after honouring European and South American commitments would have been "asking too much". | A spokesman said at the time that to have performed in those cities after honouring European and South American commitments would have been "asking too much". |
| 'Personal issues' | 'Personal issues' |
| Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke - based in Williams' home town - his mother, Jan, said it was a "gift" for her that he was seeking treatment. | Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke - based in Williams' home town - his mother, Jan, said it was a "gift" for her that he was seeking treatment. |
| "He's a very public figure and all the media attention at the moment is added pressure on him," she said. | "He's a very public figure and all the media attention at the moment is added pressure on him," she said. |
| I shall be sending him loads and loads of love as always - I have always given him a lot of loving support Jan Williams, Robbie's mother Mrs Williams plans to fly out to the US after her son has finished his spell in rehab. | |
| "I shall be going across at some stage but when you're in rehab, it's a programme for the person themselves, and they have to address their own personal issues," she added. | "I shall be going across at some stage but when you're in rehab, it's a programme for the person themselves, and they have to address their own personal issues," she added. |
| Last year, the singer spoke frankly of his experience with depression in a BBC documentary on bipolar disorder with Stephen Fry. | |
| In the interview, he admitted taking antidepressants and that his depression had made him "stop going out". | |
| "I'd get up in front of 40,000 people and say 'look at me, I'm ace'", he said. | |
| "Then as soon as I got off stage, I'd get in the tour coach and go back to my bedroom and pull the duvet over my eyes." | |
| In another TV interview, broadcast in 2004, Williams said he only gave up drugs and alcohol because they made him too fat. | |
| He said his addiction made him "blow up to the size of a small aircraft hangar". | He said his addiction made him "blow up to the size of a small aircraft hangar". |
| Williams' former Take That bandmates are currently enjoying a hugely successful comeback, including a number one single and album, and a sell-out UK tour. | Williams' former Take That bandmates are currently enjoying a hugely successful comeback, including a number one single and album, and a sell-out UK tour. |
| Their song Patience is expected to win best single at the Brit Awards ceremony, which takes place in London on Wednesday. | Their song Patience is expected to win best single at the Brit Awards ceremony, which takes place in London on Wednesday. |
| But this is the first time in several years that Williams has failed to be in the running for the best male or best album categories. | But this is the first time in several years that Williams has failed to be in the running for the best male or best album categories. |