What was wrong with Robbie Williams, when and why was he ill on tour and what’s the latest on the singer’s health?
ROBBIE Williams caused concern last year when he was forced to cancel his Heavy Entertainment Show tour.
It was confirmed he was suffering from a slipped disc in his back, though he also blamed a "mystery illness". The pop star also opened up about his struggle with mental health, claiming his career would "kill" him. Here is what we know...
What was the real reason for Robbie Williams cancelling his 2017 European tour?
In September 2017, the 44-year-old singer sparked concerns for his health when he cancelled dates across Europe - effectively ending his Heavy Entertainment Show tour.
Cancelling a slew of dates in Russia, the ex-Take That star was said to have been struck down by a mystery illness.
That month he revealed that he'd been left in agony after suffering a slipped disc in his back.
He told the Daily Star at the time: "The most difficult thing about creating the tour was my health and my back, I've got a slipped disc and it was kind of stressful.
"I have to be as mentally fit as I can be to take on such a massive undertaking: there are one million-plus people that are coming to see me and you can't do that with a bad back, but I have."
However, he also later spoke candidly about another illness.
What has Robbie said about his mystery illness?
In October the Angels singer took to YouTube to give his fans an update on his health.
Speaking five weeks after he cancelled the remaining dates of his 2017 tour, he appeared on camera in LA.
He did not specify what was wrong with him but said as he recovered at his home: “I got some test results.
“They were very worrying and I ended up in ICU (Intensive Care Unit).”
The dad of two asked fans to forgive him for having to cancel the remaining Heavy Entertainment Show date.
He said: “I haven’t pulled out of a tour for bad health since 1998. So, you know if I can’t do it then there’s something going on that I just can’t do it.”
All that said, Robbie is really keen to rejoin Take That for their 25th anniversary tour - even if Jason Orange doesn't!
Has there been an update on his health since?
The star's wife, Ayda Field, appeared on Loose Women last November.
During her chat with the regular panel members, the guest panellist gave them an update on her husband.
She said: “Rob was very ill but now he’s on the tail end of that and doing very well.”
Ayda explained he has changed his diet and lifestyle following his stint in hospital.
Robbie revealed exclusively in The Sun that he spent seven days in intensive care due to abnormalities in his brain.
He told The Sun: “My left arm went numb and I couldn’t stop dribbling out of the side of my mouth.
“I had a headache and I was also having trouble breathing. I couldn’t get a full breath.”
He has since taken up yoga and pilates in an attempt to become more healthy for both his mind and body.
What is the latest on Robbie's mental health?
Robbie Williams has had an ongoing battle with mental illness and a history of depression and anxiety.
He said: “Fortunately and unfortunately, left to my own devices, I’m inclined to sabotage everything.
“I’ve got a disease that wants to kill me and it’s in my head, so I have to guard against that."
The Angels singer has also compared himself to the late George Michael due to their "very similar roller-coaster" with drug addiction.
On the topic of addiction, former bandmate Gary Barlow has drawn a comparison between Ant McPartlin and Robbie.
Speaking on Dan Wootton's podcast he said, "I don't really know what happened. It's the same as Rob, everyone just wants the best for him."
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Why does Robbie think his career will kill him?
The former hell-raiser made the shocking claim that he believes his career will "kill" him during an interview last year.
Robbie spoke frankly and candidly about the affects his career has had on his health with .
Laying bare the struggle he has with being in the spotlight and performing, Robbie said: “This job is really bad for my health. It’s going to kill me. Unless I view it in a different way.
“[Depression] sprints through my family. I don’t know if I’d be this mentally ill without fame," he explained.
"I don’t think it would be as gross or as powerful if it hadn’t have been for fame."
He added: "You get a magnifying glass in the shape of the world’s attention and your defects will obviously magnify too.”