Robbie Williams hits out at ex Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith’s claims about him in new documentary
Robbie Williams has responded to former Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith’s claims about him in the new BBC documentary, Boybands Forever.
Angels singer Robbie, 50, and Martin-Smith both appear in the three-part documentary alongside a host of other stars, which Williams said he was “equal parts terrified and excited” about.
As reported by the BBC, the music manager reportedly says in the series that the singer blames him for his drug use and that Robbie considers him to be “evil”.
READ MORE: ‘Ruthless, awful and disturbing’ reality TV ‘villain’ still faces years later
READ MORE: One place Hollywood hero’s daughter is more famous than him
But in a lengthy post with his millions of followers, Williams insisted: ”My drug taking was never your fault.”
“My response to the warped world that surrounded me is solely my own. How I chose to self-medicate is and was something that I will be monitoring and dealing with for the whole of my life. It’s part of my makeup and I would have the same malady had I been a taxi driver,” Williams wrote.
”I just got there quicker due to having the finances while trying in vain to counteract the turbulence of pop stardom’s matrix-bending washing machine.”
READ MORE: One thing one of music’s biggest names won’t show her fans
The former manager reportedly says in the documentary: ”He’s smart, is Robbie and it’s quite clever”.
Robbie even quotes Martin-Smith in his post, saying Martin-Smith said he “did drugs” because he “was in this band where I couldn’t have girlfriends or I couldn’t go out. That evil t–t Nigel, it’s his fault that I’m behaving like a w—er”.
Williams wrote in his post: ”I’m not breaking anyone’s anonymity by sharing the side effects of boyband dysphoria that relate to just us lads… I will also remind you that the person acting like a ‘w—er’ was 16 when he joined the band and 21 when he left. That was the last time I saw you.”
”I hope I have more grace and understanding when and if any of my own four children at such a vulnerable age behave in the same manner.”
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
He added he was “sorry for my part in any of your hurt” and that he “loves” Martin-Smith, but admits “it is also true that I don’t like you”. He added he doesn’t “hate” him or “blame” him for his “addictions”.
Martin-Smith has not publicly responded to Williams’ message.
He also says in the documentary that he thought his place in the band was “was never safe or guaranteed” and that Martin-Smith once threatened to kick him out.
Williams left Take That in 1995 and the group continued as a foursome until he rejoined in 2010 for the sixth studio album, Progress. He then left again in 2011, followed by Jason Orange in 2014.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction contact the Alcohol Drug Information Service on 1800 250 015 or Narcotics Anonymous Australia on 1300 652 820.