This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v9n3vkgx4o
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Robbie Williams says he 'panics' when strangers approach him | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Robbie Williams has spoken of the "discomfort" he feels when he is approached for photos and autographs. | Robbie Williams has spoken of the "discomfort" he feels when he is approached for photos and autographs. |
| In a candid Instagram post, the pop star said he can "mask it well", but he feels frightened by social interaction and "panics" when a stranger approaches him. | In a candid Instagram post, the pop star said he can "mask it well", but he feels frightened by social interaction and "panics" when a stranger approaches him. |
| The singer, 51, also revealed he turned down multiple requests for photos on a recent flight. | The singer, 51, also revealed he turned down multiple requests for photos on a recent flight. |
| But he said he felt "gratitude" for those who tell him they are genuine fans of his, adding: "This isn't a complaint, it's context." | But he said he felt "gratitude" for those who tell him they are genuine fans of his, adding: "This isn't a complaint, it's context." |
| The former Take That singer said that during the domestic flight across the US, one fan handed him a "lovely note" and then asked for a photo. | The former Take That singer said that during the domestic flight across the US, one fan handed him a "lovely note" and then asked for a photo. |
| Williams said he then wrote a note back. | Williams said he then wrote a note back. |
| Robbie Williams hits back at ex-Take That manager | Robbie Williams hits back at ex-Take That manager |
| How Robbie Williams became a 'therapist' to Lottery Winners | How Robbie Williams became a 'therapist' to Lottery Winners |
| Robbie Williams asks Michelle McManus to duet on tour | Robbie Williams asks Michelle McManus to duet on tour |
| "I explained I'd been up since 04:30, had two hours' sleep, and wrangled four kids through the airport. I've got bags under my eyes and I'm dealing with anxiety," he said on social media. | "I explained I'd been up since 04:30, had two hours' sleep, and wrangled four kids through the airport. I've got bags under my eyes and I'm dealing with anxiety," he said on social media. |
| "I explained that if they came and took a photo with me, my anxiety would spike - because then the whole cabin would start wondering who I am." | "I explained that if they came and took a photo with me, my anxiety would spike - because then the whole cabin would start wondering who I am." |
| He said another fan then asked for a photo, so he wrote a similar note on the back of his plane ticket. | He said another fan then asked for a photo, so he wrote a similar note on the back of his plane ticket. |
| "As I was writing that one, another passenger walked up and just asked outright for a photo," he said. "I obliged." | "As I was writing that one, another passenger walked up and just asked outright for a photo," he said. "I obliged." |
| Williams said he saw it as "being of service" and that, if it made someone happy, he would do his best to facilitate. | Williams said he saw it as "being of service" and that, if it made someone happy, he would do his best to facilitate. |
| "Still... I think there needs to be a caveat," he added. | "Still... I think there needs to be a caveat," he added. |
| Williams said there was an "unspoken law" that celebrities should be accessible 24/7, and that he should greet all strangers "like you're the mayor of the best town". | Williams said there was an "unspoken law" that celebrities should be accessible 24/7, and that he should greet all strangers "like you're the mayor of the best town". |
| "But that thinking's off," he said. | "But that thinking's off," he said. |
| He said he thought more than half of people who approached him could not name one of his albums. | He said he thought more than half of people who approached him could not name one of his albums. |
| But he added that if people were actually his fans, he wanted to hear it. | But he added that if people were actually his fans, he wanted to hear it. |
| "That means a lot. I'll make time. I've got gratitude for that," he said. | "That means a lot. I'll make time. I've got gratitude for that," he said. |
| But he then asked whether there should be a limit on how many people can access celebrities in a day. | But he then asked whether there should be a limit on how many people can access celebrities in a day. |
| "Every interaction - with strangers or even people I know well - fills me with discomfort," he said. | "Every interaction - with strangers or even people I know well - fills me with discomfort," he said. |
| Robbie Williams on why he's played by a chimp in new film | Robbie Williams on why he's played by a chimp in new film |
| "I mask it well. But social interaction still frightens me," he added. "Every time a stranger approaches - and they are strangers - I panic." | "I mask it well. But social interaction still frightens me," he added. "Every time a stranger approaches - and they are strangers - I panic." |
| Williams reiterated that he was not complaining about the attention his stardom brought him, writing: "I'm not moaning. This is a problem I'd rather have than not." | Williams reiterated that he was not complaining about the attention his stardom brought him, writing: "I'm not moaning. This is a problem I'd rather have than not." |
| He added: "I'm not saying don't ask. You can. What I am saying is: let people be people." | He added: "I'm not saying don't ask. You can. What I am saying is: let people be people." |
| Williams rose to fame as part of the boy band Take That in the early 1990s, before launching a successful solo career which saw him release hits such as Angels, Millennium and She's The One. | Williams rose to fame as part of the boy band Take That in the early 1990s, before launching a successful solo career which saw him release hits such as Angels, Millennium and She's The One. |
| He had a well-documented struggle with depression and substance abuse in his 30s, and has spoken in the past about his mental health problems. | He had a well-documented struggle with depression and substance abuse in his 30s, and has spoken in the past about his mental health problems. |
| His rise, fall and resurgence were recently told in the biopic Better Man, in which he is portrayed by a chimpanzee. | His rise, fall and resurgence were recently told in the biopic Better Man, in which he is portrayed by a chimpanzee. |
| Williams described the film, which does not shy away from dealing with the more difficult chapters of his life, as "the greatest hits of my trauma for the TikTok generation". | Williams described the film, which does not shy away from dealing with the more difficult chapters of his life, as "the greatest hits of my trauma for the TikTok generation". |
| In the comments section under his Instagram post, people praised Williams for his openness and honesty. | In the comments section under his Instagram post, people praised Williams for his openness and honesty. |
| "Everyone is entitled to their boundaries," wrote one user. | "Everyone is entitled to their boundaries," wrote one user. |
| "No human is entitled access to another human, famous or not," wrote another. "I think celebrities need to start normalising saying no to fans." | "No human is entitled access to another human, famous or not," wrote another. "I think celebrities need to start normalising saying no to fans." |
| If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line. | If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line. |