LONDON, December 23, 2025 – Robbie Williams, the former Take That heartthrob, revealed a harrowing near-death experience fueled by years of battling addiction, admitting he “dug a cellar” in his descent before finally achieving 20 years of sobriety.
TAKE THAT: Take That in 1993. From left: Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Robbie Williams and Jason Orange. Photo: Neil Munns / Pa Photos / NTB
A Descent into Chaos
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Williams, who rose to fame with the boy band Take That before embarking on a successful solo career in 1995, has been candid about how celebrity amplified his struggles with substance abuse. He confessed in a recent interview that his life at its peak in 2007 was largely defined by relentless partying.
The singer detailed a period of 18 months consumed by alcoholism and addiction, stating, “When I reached the bottom, I took a shovel and dug a cellar. If I had continued, I would have been dead.” He shared these insights in an interview with Sunday Times.
DRUNK AND PARTYING: Robbie Williams’ life consisted of partying and drinking. Photo: Valery Hache / AFP / NTB
A New Chapter
Williams is now celebrating 20 years of sobriety. He currently lives a more subdued life with his wife, Ayda Field (46), and their four children.
Openness with Family
The singer is choosing to be transparent with his children about his past struggles. He and Field employ humor when discussing his former lifestyle with their kids, according to Williams.
WITH WIFE: Robbie Williams and Auda Field during the wedding of Princess Eugenie in 2018. Photo: Alastair Grant / AFP / NTB
Williams playfully lists his challenges – addiction, alcoholism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, self-obsession, and narcissism – with a smile. His 12-year-old daughter, Theodora, has even saved him in her iPad contacts as “Narcissistic father.”
The couple also share children Charlie (10), Coco (7), and Beau (5). Ayda Field previously shared with the podcast Loose Women that they discuss Williams’ past with their children in an age-appropriate manner, explaining that their daughter is aware of her father’s history with addiction.