2026 has been a record-breaking year for Robbie Williams. His album Britpop went to No. 1 in January, giving him 16 UK number one albums as a solo artist and moving him past the Beatles for the most UK number one albums by any act, before a run of intimate 'Long 90's' shows across the UK in February.
From Take That teenager to one of the biggest stars in British pop, here is the story so far. Shop our tribute designs in the pop music collection.
Robbie Williams Fact File
| Full name | Robert Peter Williams |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 February 1974 (age 52) |
| Place of birth | Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, entertainer |
| Years active | 1990-present |
| Groups | Take That (1990-1995, 2010-2011) |
| Genres | Pop, pop rock, swing |
| Labels | Chrysalis, EMI, Island, Sony Music/Columbia |
| Current status | Britpop world tour (2026) |
| Signature song | "Angels" (1997) |
Career History
| Years | Band/Label | Key albums |
|---|---|---|
| 1990-1995 | Take That | Take That & Party (1992), Everything Changes (1993), Nobody Else (1995) |
| 1997-2002 | Chrysalis/EMI | Life thru a Lens (1997), I've Been Expecting You (1998), Sing When You're Winning (2000), Swing When You're Winning (2001), Escapology (2002) |
| 2005-2013 | EMI, then Island | Intensive Care (2005), Rudebox (2006), Reality Killed the Video Star (2009), Take the Crown (2012), Swings Both Ways (2013) |
| 2010-2011 | Take That | Progress (2010) |
| 2016-2026 | Sony Music/Columbia | The Heavy Entertainment Show (2016), The Christmas Present (2019), XXV (2022), Britpop (2026) |
Studio albums only. Solo label names are given as they appeared on UK releases.
Early Years: Take That
Robbie Williams grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and joined Take That in 1990, aged just 16. As the group's youngest member he quickly became its cheekiest personality, and the band ruled the UK charts in the early 1990s.
He left in July 1995 to go it alone, and plenty of people doubted he could do it.
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Breakthrough: Angels and Life thru a Lens
His debut solo album, Life thru a Lens (1997), started slowly until "Angels" changed everything. The song became his best-selling UK single and a karaoke staple, and the album climbed to No. 1.
I've Been Expecting You (1998) and Sing When You're Winning (2000) made him the biggest pop star in Britain, while Swing When You're Winning (2001) showed off a Sinatra-style side.
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Peak: Knebworth and Record BRITs
In August 2003 he played three nights at Knebworth to more than 375,000 people, at the time the biggest music event the UK had seen. He has won a record 18 BRIT Awards.
He rejoined Take That for Progress (2010), and in 2024 his life became the musical biopic Better Man, in which he is portrayed as a CGI chimpanzee.
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Later Career: Britpop and the Record
Britpop was first due in October 2025 and appeared on streaming services early, on 16 January 2026. It went straight to No. 1, his 16th solo chart-topping album, passing the Beatles' total. Counting Take That, he has been part of 21 number one albums.
In February 2026 he took the album on a 'Long 90's' UK tour of smaller venues in Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Wolverhampton.
Awards and Achievements
Music awards
- 18 BRIT Awards, a record
Chart records
- 16 UK number one albums as a solo artist, the most by any act
- Part of 21 UK number one albums including Take That
Other honours
- Freedom of the City of Stoke-on-Trent (2014)
- Knebworth 2003: more than 375,000 fans across three nights
Away From the Spotlight
With Jonathan Wilkes, Robbie Williams set up Soccer Aid, the celebrity charity football match that raises money for UNICEF UK and was first played in 2006. A lifelong Port Vale fan, he was named president of his hometown club in January 2024.
FAQs
How old is Robbie Williams?
Robbie Williams was born on 13 February 1974, so he is 52.
Where is Robbie Williams from?
He was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and was given the Freedom of the City in 2014.
How many number one albums does Robbie Williams have?
He has 16 UK number one albums as a solo artist, the most by any act, after Britpop topped the chart in January 2026. Including Take That, he has been part of 21.
How many BRIT Awards has Robbie Williams won?
He has won 18 BRIT Awards, more than any other artist.
When was Robbie Williams in Take That?
He was in Take That from 1990 to 1995, and returned from 2010 to 2011 for the album Progress.
Why is Robbie Williams a chimp in Better Man?
The 2024 biopic Better Man tells his life story with Robbie portrayed as a CGI chimpanzee, a creative choice by the filmmakers.
Shop the Robbie Williams Collection
Every design is an unofficial fan tribute, printed to order in the UK.
See more in our pop music collection and the full music collection. And if you want your own name on the back, design a Custom Name Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Oasis Career Story and Ed Sheeran Career Story.
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