Editing Robbie Williams (section)

==Solo career==

===1996–1998: ''Life thru a Lens'' and ''I've Been Expecting You''===
{{Main|Life thru a Lens|I've Been Expecting You}}
Williams launched his solo career in 1996 with a cover of [[George Michael]]'s "[[Freedom (Robbie Williams song)|Freedom]]", which reached number two in the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="8notes">{{cite web|url=http://www.8notes.com/biographies/robbie_williams.asp |title=Robbie Williams |publisher=8notes.com |access-date=23 December 2009}}</ref> Recordings for Williams's first album began at London's Maison Rouge studios in March 1997. Shortly after his introduction to songwriter and producer [[Guy Chambers]], Williams released "[[Old Before I Die]]", the first single from his debut album. The single reached number two on the UK Charts;<ref name="8notes" /> it was largely ignored on international charts. His debut album, ''[[Life thru a Lens]]'', was released in September 1997. The album launched with his first live solo gig at the [[Élysée Montmartre]] theatre in Paris, France. The album debuted at number eleven on the [[UK Albums Chart]].

"[[Angels (Robbie Williams song)|Angels]]", the fourth single, is Williams' best-seller in the United Kingdom.<ref name="BPI">{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=27952 |title=Award Certification for "Angels" |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080103043315/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=27952 |archive-date = 3 January 2008}}</ref> The song, apart from becoming a hit around Europe and Latin America, caused sales of his album to skyrocket. The album remained in the British top ten for forty weeks and spent 218 weeks there altogether, making it the 58th best selling album in UK history with sales of over 2.4&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=30745 |title=Award Certification for 'Life Thru A Lens' |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231042816/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=30745 |archive-date = 31 December 2007}}</ref> The album eventually managed to sell over three million copies in Europe.<ref name="ifpi2002">{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2002.html |title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2002 |publisher=IFPI |year=2002 |access-date=29 November 2008 |archive-date=20 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320014141/http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2002.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Williams and Chambers started writing the second album, ''[[I've Been Expecting You]]'', in Jamaica in early 1998. The first single, "[[Millennium (single)|Millennium]]", accompanied with a music video featuring Williams parodying [[James Bond]], complete with [[tuxedo]] and references to Bond films like ''[[Thunderball (film)|Thunderball]]'' and ''[[From Russia with Love (film)|From Russia with Love]]'', became Williams' first solo number one single in the United Kingdom.<ref name="UK Top 40 Database" /> It also became a top twenty hit in many European countries, Latin America and Australia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robbie Williams – Millennium |publisher=GfK Dutch Charts |url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Robbie+Williams&titel=Millennium&cat=s |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>

''[[I've Been Expecting You]]'' was released in late October 1998 and debuted at number one in the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="UK Top 40 Database">{{cite web |url=http://www.everyhit.com/ |title=UK Top 40 Database |publisher=everyhit.com |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> The album received more attention outside the United Kingdom, leaving its mark in the European and Latin American markets with hits such as "[[No Regrets (Robbie Williams song)|No Regrets]]", a collaboration with the [[Pet Shop Boys]]' singer [[Neil Tennant]] and [[the Divine Comedy]]'s [[Neil Hannon]]. "She's the One", a cover of a [[World Party]] track written by [[Karl Wallinger]], became Williams' second UK number-one single.<ref name="UK Top 40 Database" /> Williams finished the year with a European Tour late in 1999. ''I've Been Expecting You'' sold almost 3&nbsp;million copies in the UK and was certified 10× Platinum by the BPI.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=31787 |title=Award Certification for "I've Been Expecting You" |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231042831/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=31787 |archive-date = 31 December 2007}}</ref> In Europe, the album sold over 4&nbsp;million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2001.html |title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards:2001 AWARDS |publisher=IFPI |year=2001 |access-date=29 November 2008 |archive-date=22 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222025506/http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2001.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===1999–2001: ''Sing When You're Winning'' and ''Swing When You're Winning''===
{{Main|The Ego Has Landed|Sing When You're Winning|Swing When You're Winning}}
In 1999, Williams was signed to [[Capitol Records]] in the United States, a part of [[EMI]]. He embarked on a United States promotional tour and released his first United States and Canadian single, "[[Millennium (song)|Millennium]]". The compilation album ''[[The Ego Has Landed]]'' was released in July 1999 in the United States and Canada. In the middle of promotion and the tours in 1999, Williams began work on his third studio album.

[[File:Robbie paparazzi V sign.jpg|thumb| Williams, alongside [[Steve Furst]], in London in 2000, [[V sign#As an insult|gesturing]] to a paparazzi photographer]]

The first single taken from the album was "[[Rock DJ]]", a song inspired by Williams's [[UNICEF]] mentor, the late [[Ian Dury]]. The video created by Fred & Farid<ref>{{cite web |title=Yahoo! Big Idea Chair: A feast of Fred & Farid |url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/607923 |publisher=Campaign}}</ref> showed Williams in an attempt to get noticed by a group of women, first stripping and then tearing chunks of skin and muscle from his body, and caused controversy in the United Kingdom and many other countries. The video was edited by ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' for its graphic content and many other channels followed suit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Controversial Robbie single hits the shops |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/859988.stm |date=31 July 2000 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The song became an instant hit, reaching number one in the UK (becoming his third number one single as a solo artist) and New Zealand. The song went on to win "Best Song of 2000" at the [[MTV Europe Music Awards]], "Best Single of the Year" at the [[Brit Awards]] and an [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Special Effects]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2001/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828041551/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2001/|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2008|title=MTV Video Music Awards 2001|publisher=MTV|access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref>

When the album, ''[[Sing When You're Winning]]'' was released in August 2000, it topped the charts in many different countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robbie Williams – Sing When You're Winning (album) |url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Robbie+Williams&titel=Sing+When+You%27re+Winning&cat=a |publisher=GfK Dutch Charts |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> In the UK the album was certified 2× Platinum on its first week of release.<ref>{{cite web |title=Award Certification for "Sing When You're Winning" |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29046 |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106095819/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29046 |archive-date = 6 November 2007}}</ref> After the success of his third album, Williams wanted to take another musical direction. He took two weeks off from his tour to record ''[[Swing When You're Winning]]'', his fourth studio album. Born from his lifelong love for [[Frank Sinatra]]{{spaced ndash}}combined with the success of the track "[[Have You Met Miss Jones?]]" that he recorded for the film ''[[Bridget Jones' Diary]]'' in 2001{{spaced ndash}}the album was recorded at [[Capitol Studios]] in Los Angeles.

Williams took the chance to duet with his long-time friend [[Jonathan Wilkes]], ''Little Voice'' star [[Jane Horrocks]], ''Saturday Night Live'' star [[Jon Lovitz]], [[Rupert Everett]] and actress [[Nicole Kidman]]. The first single released from the album was a duet with Kidman, on "[[Somethin' Stupid]]". Originally a hit for [[Frank Sinatra|Frank]] and [[Nancy Sinatra]], the song became Williams' fifth number one hit in the UK.<ref>{{cite web  |url= http://www.theofficialcharts.com/all_singles_song.php?id=916 |title="Somethin' Stupid" first week sales in the United Kingdom |publisher=Theofficialcharts.com |date=22 December 2001 |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080529052550/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/all_singles_song.php?id=916 |archive-date = 29 May 2008}}</ref> It eventually went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29997 |title=Award Certification for 'Something Stupid' |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106095133/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29997 |archive-date = 6 November 2007}}</ref> "Beyond the Sea" was featured over the credits of the film ''[[Finding Nemo]]'' in 2003 and was also released on the film's soundtrack CD. A DVD, ''Robbie Williams Live at the Albert Hall'', was released in December of that year and has become one of the best selling music DVDs in Europe, being certified 6× Platinum in the United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=32440 |title=Award Certification for 'Live at the Albert Hall' |publisher=BPI |access-date=4 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106095926/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=32440 |archive-date = 6 November 2007}}</ref> and 2× Platinum in Germany.<ref>{{Certification Cite|region=Germany|artist=Robbie Williams}}</ref>

===2002–2005: ''Escapology'' and ''Intensive Care''===
{{Main|Escapology (album)|Greatest Hits (Robbie Williams album)|Intensive Care (album)}}
In 2002, Williams signed a record-breaking £80&nbsp;million contract with EMI.<ref>{{cite news |title=Robbie signs '£80m' deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2291605.stm|work=BBC News |date=2 October 2002}}</ref> The contract included a number of provisos, including the label ceding greater creative control to the artist and a commitment to breaking Williams into the US market. It remains the [[List of largest music deals|biggest music deal in British history]]. The deal was brokered by [[Ingenious Media]], a UK corporate finance advisory business. Williams began working on what would be his fifth studio album, spending a year in the recording studio. The album heralded a new era for Williams. He had taken a more active role in the making of this album. "One Fine Day", "Nan's Song", and "[[Come Undone (Robbie Williams song)|Come Undone]]" were the first songs that Williams wrote without the input of Guy Chambers. Most of the songs were recorded in Los Angeles.

{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="For the first time in my life, I'm speechless."|source=—Williams addresses the crowd during his three record-breaking [[Concerts at Knebworth House|concerts at Knebworth]] playing to 375,000 people, the biggest event in UK music history.<ref name="Knebworth">{{cite news |title=Fans go wild for Robbie |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3116113.stm |work=BBC |date=17 June 2018}}</ref>}}
The album's first single, "[[Feel (Robbie Williams song)|Feel]]", written by Williams and Chambers, was recorded as a demo. When they started working on the album and were trying to re-record the vocals, Williams felt dissatisfied with it, so he decided to include the demo version and then release it as the first single. When the single was released in late 2002, it became Williams' biggest international hit, going number one in The Netherlands and Italy and reaching the top ten in many European countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robbie Williams – Feel (Single) |url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Robbie+Williams&titel=Feel&cat=s |publisher=GfK Dutch Charts |access-date=17 December 2015 }}</ref> When Williams' fifth studio album, ''[[Escapology (album)|Escapology]]'', was released in late 2002, it hit number one in at least 10 countries around the world. In the United States, it failed to make such an impact. ''Escapology'' sold almost 2&nbsp;million copies by the end of 2003 in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=30860 |title=Platinum Awards Content |date=30 September 2007 |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618162807/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=30860 |archive-date=18 June 2008 }}</ref> On 1–3 August 2003, Williams played three consecutive [[Concerts at Knebworth House|concerts at Knebworth]] to 125,000 people each night, making it the biggest event in UK music history.<ref name="Knebworth"/> Memorable performances included "Come Undone" where he interjected with "Britain, I'm Your Son", and further interacted with the audience when he brought a girl up on stage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beardsworth |first=Luke |date=2014-07-04 |title=Are you ready for Robbie? Seven great Robbie Williams live videos |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/seven-great-robbie-williams-live-7372033 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=[[Birmingham Mail]] |language=en}}</ref> In October 2003, Williams released a live album of the concerts, ''[[Live at Knebworth]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live at Knebworth |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-knebworth-mw0000711670 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>

In October 2004, Williams released ''[[Greatest Hits (Robbie Williams album)|Greatest Hits]]'', a retrospective of his career, which also contained new tracks he had been working on with then-new collaborator [[Stephen Duffy]]. "[[Radio (Robbie Williams song)|Radio]]", the compilation's first single, debuted at number one in the [[UK Singles Chart]],<ref name="UK Top 40 Database" /> becoming Williams' sixth number-one hit. When the compilation was released, it debuted at number one in the UK<ref name="UK Top 40 Database" /> and was the best selling album of the year in the UK<ref name="The Times" /> and Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2006.html |title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2006 |publisher=IFPI |year=2006 |access-date=12 November 2008 |archive-date=7 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507023626/http://ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2006.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Eight years after the release of "Angels", the British public voted it as the "Best Single of the Past Twenty-Five Years" at the [[2005 Brit Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/brits2005/wdyt_2.shtml |title=Brits25: Did your favourites get awards? |publisher=BBC |date=9 February 2005}}</ref>

After touring Latin America in late 2004 for the promotion ''Greatest Hits'', Williams started working on his sixth studio album. Recorded at his house in the [[Hollywood Hills]], the album was co-written by [[Stephen Duffy]] over the course of 24 months. The album ''[[Intensive Care (album)|Intensive Care]]'' was launched in Berlin on 9 October. It became an international hit. In November 2005, Williams took home the [[MTV Europe Music Award]] for 'Best Male', but also, entered in ''[[The Guinness Book of World Records]]'' when he announced his World Tour for 2006, selling [[List of fastest-selling concert tours|1.6&nbsp;million tickets in one single day]].<ref name="sp-13394">{{cite news|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Enters-The-Guinness-Book-of-World-Records-13394.shtml |title=Robbie Williams Enters The Guinness Book of World Records |date=26 November 2005 |publisher=Softpedia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006151507/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Enters-The-Guinness-Book-of-World-Records-13394.shtml |archive-date=6 October 2014 }}</ref> Williams kicked off his ''[[Close Encounters Tour|Close Encounters World Tour]]'' in South Africa in April 2006; when he finished his European leg of the tour, 2.5&nbsp;million people had seen the show and, after touring Latin America and Australia, the numbers went up to 3&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Time |url=http://www.emimusic.com.mx/portal/hgxpp001.aspx?{{formatnum:224135}},O,S,0,PAG;CONC;26;2;D;372970;1;PAG;, |title=EMI Music Mexico |publisher=Emimusic.com.mx |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019102950/http://www.emimusic.com.mx/portal/hgxpp001.aspx?%7B%7Bformatnum%3A224135%7D%7D%2CO%2CS%2C0%2CPAG%3BCONC%3B26%3B2%3BD%3B372970%3B1%3BPAG%3B%2C |archive-date=19 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2006–2009: ''Rudebox'' and ''Reality Killed the Video Star''===
{{Main|Rudebox|Reality Killed the Video Star}}
Williams released his much anticipated dance/electro album, ''[[Rudebox]]'', on 23 October 2006. It featured collaborations with the [[Pet Shop Boys]], [[William Orbit]], Soul Mekanik, [[Joey Negro]], [[Mark Ronson]], Chris Grierson, and The Orr Boys. It received mixed reviews: Allmusic gave it a four star rating, the ''[[NME]]'' 8 out of 10, and Music Week and MOJO were equally positive,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/robbie-williams/8052 |title=NME Magazine on "Rudebox" |work=NME |location=UK  |date=23 October 2006 |access-date=23 December 2009}}</ref> but it received much weaker reviews from some of the British press. The album sold 2× Platinum in Europe with sales of over 2&nbsp;million making it the fastest platinum-selling album of 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2006.html |title=IFPI Certifications, November 2006 |publisher=Ifpi.org |date=1 September 2005 |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-date=7 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507023626/http://ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2006.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> To promote his album, Williams commissioned a series of short films.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=1514 |title=Goodbye to the hard sell |publisher=Thefirstpost.co.uk |date=12 March 2007 |access-date=23 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011164546/http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=1514 |archive-date=11 October 2007 }}</ref> ''Goodbye to the Normals'' was directed by [[Jim Field Smith]] and features "Burslem Normals" by Williams.

[[File:Robbie Williams catzi.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Williams at a concert in Vienna, Austria, in 2006]]

In February 2009, it was confirmed that Williams had written material with Guy Chambers and [[Mark Ronson]]. A spokesman said that Williams was planning to begin the recording sessions in March and that the new album would be released in late 2009. This will probably be the last Williams album released by EMI.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jan/28/robbie-williams-album-mark-ronson |title=robbie williams album-mark ronson |work=The Guardian |date= 28 January 2009|access-date=23 December 2009 | location=London | first=Sean | last=Michaels}}</ref> On his official website, Williams confirmed that he was working with producer [[Trevor Horn]] on his new album, which would eventually be titled ''[[Reality Killed the Video Star]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.it/music/inuscita/dischi_all.asp |title=New album title – Page 4 |publisher=MTV |access-date=23 December 2009}}</ref> a reference to the song "[[Video Killed the Radio Star]]" by Horn's former band [[the Buggles]]. The album was released on 9 November 2009 in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|last=Glastetter |first=Jason |url=http://www.theendofirony.net/2009/08/robbie-williams-is-back-for-good.html |title=Robbie Williams is back for good |publisher=Theendofirony.net |date=5 August 2009 |access-date=23 December 2009}}</ref>

On 11 October 2009 Williams published a 12-track compilation album, titled ''[[Songbook (Robbie Williams album)|Songbook]]'', as a free CD for the newspaper ''[[The Mail on Sunday]]''. That same evening, Williams made his "comeback" on ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'' results show, performing his new single "[[Bodies (Robbie Williams song)|Bodies]]" for the first time live.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xfactor.itv.com/2009/episodes/news/item_100146.htm |title=X Factor – Home |publisher=Xfactor.itv.com |access-date=24 April 2014}}</ref> On 20 October 2009 Williams opened the BBC Electric Proms at the London [[Roundhouse (venue)|RoundHouse]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2009/artists/robbiewilliams/ |title=BBC Electric Proms – Robbie Williams |work=BBC News |access-date=23 December 2009}}</ref> It was his first live concert for 3 years and was broadcast across 200 cinemas worldwide.<ref name="Concert review">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/oct/21/robbie-williams-concert-review |title=Concert Review |work=The Guardian |date= 21 October 2009|access-date=23 December 2009 | location=London | first=Alexis | last=Petridis}}</ref> Accompanied by a string section, horn section, full band and producer Trevor Horn, Williams performed several new tracks from ''Reality Killed the Video Star'' and older tracks.<ref name="Concert review"/>

''Reality Killed the Video Star'' was previewed in the UK on the [[Spotify]] music streaming service on 6 November 2009, and official released on 9 November.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sehr |first=Andres |url=http://www.spotify.com/blog/archives/2009/11/03/robbie-williams%E2%80%99-new-album-to-debut-exclusively-on-spotify-in-the-uk/ |title=Robbie Williams' new album to debut exclusively on Spotify in the UK |publisher=Spotify.com |date=3 November 2009 |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107212352/http://www.spotify.com/blog/archives/2009/11/03/robbie-williams%E2%80%99-new-album-to-debut-exclusively-on-spotify-in-the-uk/ |archive-date=7 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In a high-profile chart battle, Williams' album was pitted against ''[[The X Factor (UK)|X Factor]]'' 2008 runners-up [[JLS]] who released their [[JLS (album)|debut album]] the same day. JLS beat Williams to the number one spot by 1500 sales. The album was also released in the United States (Williams' first album to be released there since 2002's ''Escapology''). In late November 2009, Williams travelled to Australia to perform at the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2009]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2009|title=ARIA Awards 2009 : History: Winners by Year : 2009:23rd Annual ARIA Awards|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA)|access-date=13 June 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091124212945/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php| archive-date= 24 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

=== 2010–2012: ''In and Out of Consciousness'' and ''Take the Crown'' ===
{{Main|In and Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990–2010|Take the Crown}}
[[File:Robbiein2009.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Williams performing at the [[Sydney Super Dome]] in 2009]]
In October 2010, Williams released his second greatest hits album, ''[[In and Out of Consciousness: The Greatest Hits 1990–2010]]'', to celebrate 20 years as a performing artist. A single, "[[Shame (Robbie Williams song)|Shame]]", was also released, which was written and sung by Williams and Barlow.

On 21 October 2011 Williams signed with [[Island Records]] ([[Universal Music]]), following his departure from his previous record label EMI in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/robbie-williams-splits-with-emi-after-pound80-million-deal-that-went-sour-nvvxpdw698m|title=Robbie Williams splits with EMI after £80 million deal that went sour|date=22 October 2011|access-date=9 April 2019|via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}</ref>

Williams was the opening act at the [[Diamond Jubilee Concert]], which was co-organised by [[Gary Barlow]], held outside [[Buckingham Palace]] on 4 June 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams opens Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9311358/Robbie-Williams-opens-Queens-Diamond-Jubilee-concert.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605061221/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9311358/Robbie-Williams-opens-Queens-Diamond-Jubilee-concert.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 June 2012 |work=The Telegraph |date=17 June 2018}}</ref> During the end of August his official website began a countdown to the release of information regarding his latest solo material, with an image of his face and his mind unveiled daily as the countdown expired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/86107/Robbie-Williams-Teases-New-Single-Losers |title=Robbie Williams Teases New Single 'Losers' |work=Entertainmentwise.com |date=28 August 2012 |access-date=24 April 2014 |archive-date=25 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425170210/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/86107/Robbie-Williams-Teases-New-Single-Losers |url-status=dead }}</ref> Titled ''[[Take the Crown]]'', the album debuted at number one on the [[UK Albums Chart]] making it Williams' tenth number one album. It also marked the second time that Williams had a number one single ("Candy") and album at the same time on the chart. The first time was in 2001 when "[[Somethin' Stupid]]" and ''[[Swing When You're Winning]]'' were number one on the singles and albums chart respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-crowned-king-of-the-charts-with-number-1-single-and-album-1701/ |title=Robbie Williams crowned king of the charts with Number 1 single and al |publisher=Officialcharts.com |access-date=11 November 2012}}</ref>

The album's lead single, "[[Candy (Robbie Williams song)|Candy]]", premiered on 10 September 2012 and was released on 11 September in most countries and 29 October in the UK. In the UK, "Candy" became Williams' first number one single since "[[Radio (Robbie Williams song)|Radio]]" (2004) and his seventh solo number one single. In its first week the song had sold 137,000 copies becoming the fastest-selling male artist single of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/take-that-gary-robbie-williams-equals-gary-barlows-career-tally-as-candy-hits-number-1-1684/ |title=Take THAT, Gary! Robbie Williams equals Gary Barlow's career tally as |publisher=Officialcharts.com |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> On 26 November 2012 Williams announced a [[Take The Crown Stadium Tour|17 date stadium tour of Europe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a440965/robbie-williams-announces-17-date-european-stadium-tour.html |title=Robbie Williams announces 17-date European stadium tour – Music News |website=Digital Spy |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=24 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4music.com/news/news/7006/Robbie-Williams-announces-tour|title=Robbie Williams Announces Tour|publisher=4Music|date=26 November 2012|access-date=26 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512201716/http://www.4music.com/news/news/7006/Robbie-Williams-announces-tour|archive-date=12 May 2013}}</ref> Williams also confirmed that the support act for the tour would be [[Olly Murs]] who also duets with him on "Kids". Universal and EMI merged in 2012, bringing Williams' Chrysalis/Virgin recordings full circle to Universal.

===2013–2014: ''Swings Both Ways'' and ''Under the Radar Volume 1''===
{{Main|Swings Both Ways|Under the Radar Volume 1}}
[[File:TakeTheCrownTourStage.jpg|thumb|right|Williams on stage at the [[Etihad Stadium]] in Manchester during the [[Take the Crown Stadium Tour]], June 2013]]

In September 2013, Williams announced a follow-up to his 2001 swing album, titled ''[[Swings Both Ways]]'' for release in November. The album features covers and original songs, whilst also including duet recordings with [[Michael Bublé]], [[Olly Murs]], [[Rufus Wainwright]], [[Lily Allen]] and [[Kelly Clarkson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a514634/robbie-williams-announces-new-album-swings-both-ways-video.html |title=Robbie Williams announces new album 'Swings Both Ways' – video – Music News |website=Digital Spy |date=12 September 2013 |access-date=17 September 2013}}</ref> In November 2013, Williams made a cameo appearance in the video to Murs's song "[[Hand on Heart]]".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Knight|first1=David|title=Olly Murs 'Hand On My Heart' by Vaughan Arnell|url=http://www.promonews.tv/videos/2013/11/08/olly-murs-hand-my-heart-vaughan-arnell|publisher=Promonews.tv|access-date=18 August 2014|date=8 November 2013}}</ref>

Williams released a compilation album entitled ''[[Under the Radar Volume 1]]'' on 1 December 2014 through his website, featuring leftovers and unreleased songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7572260/robbie-williams-under-the-radar-vol-1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141202113214/http://www.idolator.com/7572260/robbie-williams-under-the-radar-vol-1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2014|title=Robbie Williams Announces New Rarities Album, 'Under The Radar Vol. 1′|work=Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com|date=28 November 2014}}</ref> "[These are] loads and loads of songs that I have written that I am incredibly passionate about, I want you to hear them, otherwise they are just going to remain in my computer!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/01/robbie-williams-under-the-radar-volume-1-new-album|title=Robbie Williams unveils surprise new album|first=Sean|last=Michaels|work=The Guardian|date=December 2014 }}</ref> Williams said that Guy Chambers was "not happy" about these songs being released online: "He thinks I am a lunatic for not putting them on an album that we have promoted with TV performances and at radio stations and a big tour," Williams said. "But I am an impetuous bugger, and I want them out now, now, now!"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pocklington |first=Rebecca |date=2014-11-28 |title=Is Robbie Williams challenging Take That with surprise new album? |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/robbie-williams-announces-surprise-new-4714614 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=[[Daily Mirror]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2016–2018: ''The Heavy Entertainment Show'', and ''The X Factor'' ===
{{Main|The Heavy Entertainment Show|Under the Radar Volume 2}}
[[File:Robbie Williams, Roundhouse, London (Apple Music Festival) (29312031654).jpg|thumb|upright|Williams performing at the [[Apple Music Festival]] in London, 25 September 2016]]
In May 2016, it was announced that Williams had signed a recording contract with [[Sony Music]]. In a statement, Williams said: "They're [Sony Music] inspired, I'm inspired. I'm more ready than I ever have been and I'm totally convinced I'm in the right place. I look forward to working on this album, which is an album I'm immensely proud of, in this exciting new partnership with Sony Music."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Robbie Williams signs to Sony Music|url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/robbie-williams-signs-to-sony-music/064724|magazine=[[Music Week]]|access-date=26 September 2016|date=8 May 2016}}</ref> ''[[The Heavy Entertainment Show]]'' became his [[List of artists by number of UK Albums Chart number ones|12th UK number-one album]], putting him level with [[Madonna]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7573698/uk-albums-chart-robbie-williams-clean-bandit|title=Robbie Williams Claims 'Heavy' U.K. Album Record|last=Sexton|first=Paul|date=14 November 2016|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref> In July 2017, Williams announced a new album, ''[[Under the Radar Volume 2]]'', which was released in November 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Nick |date=2017-07-11 |title=Robbie Williams has a new album coming out and he's climbed a tree naked to promote it |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-announces-new-album-under-the-radar-volume-2-2107942 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> A third edition in the Under the Radar series was released on Valentine's Day of 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://shop.robbiewilliams.com/products/under-the-radar-volume-3-cd|title=Under The Radar Volume 3 (CD) – Under The Radar|website=Robbie Williams Shop|access-date=9 April 2019|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414125900/https://shop.robbiewilliams.com/products/under-the-radar-volume-3-cd|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Sdm 4486.jpg|thumb|left|Williams performing at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony]] in Moscow, Russia, 14 June 2018]]
On 14 June 2018, Williams performed at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony]] held at the [[Luzhniki Stadium]] in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]].<ref name="World Cup"/> Williams sang 
"[[Let Me Entertain You (Robbie Williams song)|Let Me Entertain You]]" and "[[Feel (Robbie Williams song)|Feel]]" before he performed a duet of "[[Angels (Robbie Williams song)|Angels]]" with Russian soprano [[Aida Garifullina]].<ref name="World Cup">{{cite news |title=World Cup 2018: Ronaldo and Robbie Williams star in opening ceremony |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44487420 |work=BBC |date=14 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/13/world-cup-2018-opening-ceremony-time-will-start-will-robbie/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/13/world-cup-2018-opening-ceremony-time-will-start-will-robbie/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=World Cup 2018 Opening Ceremony: What time will it start and when will Robbie Williams feature?|work=The Telegraph|date=13 June 2018|access-date=14 June 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Williams then performed an encore with "[[Rock DJ]]", during which he gave [[the finger]].<ref name="Fox apologises">{{cite news |title=Fox apologises for Williams gesture |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-44494286 |access-date=15 June 2018 |work=BBC News |date=15 June 2018 }}</ref> [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] in the U.S. apologised for the incident which they had broadcast live.<ref name="Fox apologises"/> The incident was not shown on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] in the UK who had cut away prior to the encore.<ref name="Fox apologises"/> Williams appeared on ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]'' on 19 June and explained what happened, "It was one minute to kick off, I was under a lot of pressure, because there was one minute left and I didn't know how I was going to do half a minute, so I just did a one-minute countdown [using his middle finger]." Asked by presenter [[Phillip Schofield]] whether he regrets it, he said: "Yeah, of course, yeah. I cannot trust me. I don't know what I'm going to do at any time. There's no, sort of, plan. The plan was, sing in key, don't fall over. That was the plan and 99% of the plan, I pulled off." When asked did the idea just enter his head he responded, "Nothing actually pops into my head. There's a block between me and sense... then something happens and then five minutes later, I'm like, 'Did I? Yeah, I did, didn't I?".<ref>{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams explains why he gave planet Earth the middle finger at the World Cup |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/this-morning/news/a859808/robbie-williams-world-cup-2018-russia-swear-middle-finger/ |work=Digital Spy |date=21 June 2018}}</ref>

On 17 July 2018, Williams along with his wife, and [[One Direction]] star [[Louis Tomlinson]], were announced as the new judges on the [[The X Factor (UK series 15)|fifteenth series]] of ''[[The X Factor (UK TV series)|The X Factor]]'' in the UK, joining [[Simon Cowell]] and replacing [[Louis Walsh]], [[Sharon Osbourne]] and [[Nicole Scherzinger]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Louis Tomlinson and Robbie Williams named new judges on The X Factor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44436738 |access-date=17 July 2018 |work=BBC}}</ref>

===2019–2023: ''The Christmas Present'' and ''XXV''===
On 22 November, Williams released his first Christmas album, ''[[The Christmas Present]]'', with guest appearances from boxer [[Tyson Fury]], [[Rod Stewart]], [[Jamie Cullum]], [[Helene Fischer]] and [[Bryan Adams]]. It debuted at number two on the UK Charts behind [[Coldplay]]'s ''[[Everyday Life (Coldplay album)|Everyday Life]]''. The album sold over 67,000 copies, matching ''The Heavy Entertainment Show.'' Williams also sold over 10,000 cassettes in seven days, the most in two decades. The following week saw Williams' album go to #1 in the UK, outselling the nearest competitor, [[Rod Stewart]], by 5,000 copies. This was Williams' [[List of artists by number of UK Albums Chart number ones|13th UK number-one album]], tying [[Elvis Presley]] for the most UK number-one albums.<ref>{{cite news |title=Robbie Williams Lands His Lucky 13th No. 1 Album In The U.K. With 'The Christmas Present' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2019/12/06/robbie-williams-lands-his-lucky-thirteenth-no-1-album-in-the-uk-with-the-christmas-present/#7e2be8e56e95 |access-date=10 March 2020 |work=Forbes}}</ref> Williams released the promotional single "Hey Tiger" in December 2019, for the new version of ''[[The Tiger Who Came to Tea#Television adaptation|The Tiger Who Came to Tea]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/07/robbie-williams-records-theme-song-for-channel-4s-christmas-special-of-the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-10876674/|title=Robbie Williams records theme song for Channel 4's Christmas Special of The Tiger Who Came To Tea|website=Metro|last=Bray|first=Abbie|date=7 October 2019|access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref>

On 25 February 2022, it was revealed that Williams had teamed up with his regular collaborators Tim Metcalfe and Flynn Francis to record the trance track "Sway" under the new alias 'Lufthaus'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/133396-robbie-williams-releases-secret-dance-track/|title=Robbie Williams releases secret dance track|website=The List|date=25 February 2022|access-date=22 February 2022}}</ref> In April 2022, ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote that while Williams "remains a big draw", he was no longer guaranteed hits and was "now more likely to be playlisted on [[Smooth Radio (2014)|Smooth Radio]] than [[BBC Radio 1]]". Williams said he was working on more experimental music, which he likened to [[David Bowie]] and [[Lou Reed]], but said: "Do I unashamedly want to still be one of the biggest artists in the world? Yeah, I do ... I've had an interesting first half of my life. I'd like an interesting second half, too."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Duerden |first=Nick |date=2022-04-16 |title='That's it? It's over? I was 30. What a brutal business': pop stars on life after the spotlight moves on |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/16/pop-stars-spotlight-bob-geldof-robbie-williams-lisa-maffia |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> In May 2022, Williams performed at the [[Rod Laver Arena]] in [[Melbourne]], Australia, during the filming of his ''[[Better Man (film)|Better Man]]'' biopic which was produced at [[Docklands Studios Melbourne]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Quinn | first=Karl | title=Robbie Williams' Better Man concerts filmed for 2023 biopic | website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | date=2 May 2022 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/my-night-with-robbie-williams-a-tom-jones-impersonator-and-thousands-of-shane-warne-fans-20220502-p5aht1.html | access-date=24 March 2023}}</ref> 

On 7 June 2022, Williams announced that his tenth compilation album, ''[[XXV (Robbie Williams album)|XXV]]'', would be released on 9 September 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-xxv-album-tracklisting-release-date-artwork-angels-2022-version-new-song-lost-and-more__36544/|title=Robbie Williams' XXV album: tracklisting, release date, artwork, Angels 2022 version, new song Lost and more|website=Official Charts|last=Smith|first=Carl|date=7 June 2022|access-date=8 June 2022}}</ref> It will feature new, reimagined versions of his hit songs, plus new material. On the same day as this announcement, Williams released "Angels XXV", a reworked version of "Angels".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/robbie-williams-new-album-xxv-liam-gallagher-knebworth-oasis-3240997|title=Robbie Williams jokes he could play Knebworth again if he "sold tickets as cheaply" as Liam Gallagher|website=NME|last=Bassett|first=Jordan|date=7 June 2022|access-date=8 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5kjrL5SimgDQGObQbab5EU?si=BXueogcgTfazR7D4AydSww|title=Angels XXV|website=[[Spotify]] |date=7 June 2022|access-date=8 June 2022}}</ref> On 10 June 2022, "Angels (XXV)" reached number 92 on the UK Official Singles Sales Chart,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20220610|title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 – 10 June 2022 – 16 June 2022|website=Official Charts|date=10 June 2022|access-date=10 June 2022}}</ref> rising to 74 a week later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20220617|title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 – 17 June 2022 – 23 June 2022|website=Official Charts|date=17 June 2022|access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref> On 5 August 2022, Williams released the single "Lost", also taken from ''XXV''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-shares-new-xxv-album-single-lost-about-reckless-behaviour-3284275|title=Robbie Williams shares new 'XXV' album single 'Lost' about "reckless behaviour"|website=NME|last=Krol|first=Charlotte|date=5 August 2022|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/robbie-williams-announces-new-single-lost-from-xxv-greatest-hits-collection/|title=Robbie Williams announces new single 'Lost' from 'XXV' greatest hits collection|website=Retro Pop Magazine|date=3 August 2022|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref>
''XXV'' was released on 9 September 2022<ref name="Rota"/><ref name="music.apple.com"/> and debuted a week later at number 1 on the UK Official Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20220916|title=Official Albums Chart Top 100 – 16 September 2022 – 22 September 2022|website=Official Charts|date=16 September 2022|access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref> In doing so, Williams broke all previous ''Official Chart'' records with his fourteenth solo number one album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-breaks-official-chart-records-with-xxv-album-only-the-beatles-now-have-more-uk-number-1-albums__37414/|title=Robbie Williams breaks Official Chart records with XXV album – only The Beatles now have more UK Number 1 albums. Robbie becomes the solo artist with most UK Number 1 albums, with only The Beatles now left to beat.|website=Official Charts|date=16 September 2022|access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref> On 24 September 2022, Williams performed at the [[2022 AFL Grand Final]] held at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delta Goodrem joins the 2022 Telstra Pre Match Entertainment as special guest |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/848092/delta-goodrem-joins-the-2022-telstra-pre-match-entertainment-as-special-guest |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=afl.com.au |date=22 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Williams sang "[[Let Me Entertain You (Robbie Williams song)|Let Me Entertain You]]", "[[Rock DJ]]", "[[Lost (Robbie Williams song)|Lost]]" and "[[Feel (Robbie Williams song)|Feel]]" before he performed [[Angels (Robbie Williams song)|"Angels"]] which Williams dedicated to Australian cricketer [[Shane Warne]], who had died in March 2022. Williams then covered [[John Farnham]]'s "[[You're the Voice]]" stating "The next song is the unofficial national anthem of Australia! Let's all send our love to John and his family". Just two days prior on 22 September 2022, John Farnham had released a statement outlining that he was to undergo immediate surgery after being diagnosed with cancer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-08-22 |title=Singer John Farnham undergoes surgery after revealing cancer diagnosis |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-23/john-farnham-reveals-cancer-diagnosis/101359756 |access-date=2022-08-23}}</ref> Williams then performed "[[Kids (Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue song)|Kids]]" with Australian singer [[Delta Goodrem]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-24 |title=Warney, Farnsy, Delta and disco balls feature in AFL grand final pre-match show by Robbie Williams |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-24/afl-grand-final-entertainment-robbie-williams-delta-goodrem/101470390 |access-date=2022-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-24 |title='Love you Warnie': Robbie's perfect tribute to late great spin king, Aussie music legend |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/love-you-warnie-robbies-perfect-tribute-to-late-great-spin-king-aussie-music-legend/news-story/5563cc7aabe16e86a6cc5356613c655f |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref>

On 7 October 2022, Lufthaus released the single "Soul Seekers".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/robbie-williams-and-lufthaus-return-with-latest-single-soul-seekers/|title=Robbie Williams and Lufthaus return with latest single 'Soul Seekers'|website=Retro Pop Magazine|date=7 October 2022|access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref> Williams' XXV tour started on 9 October 2022 in [[The O2 Arena]], supported by Lufthaus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/robbie-williams-1|title=Robbie Williams. The O2|website=The O2|access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref> In November 2022, Williams performed in [[Qatar]] as part of the country's [[FIFA World Cup 2022]] celebrations. His appearance attracted criticism due to Qatar's human rights abuses and strict LGBT laws.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Michelle |title=Tiny Qatar beats out America for World Cup&nbsp;– Total Soccer {{pipe}} Fútbol Total |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/03/1956521/tiny-qatar-beats-out-america-for.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503195608/http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/03/1956521/tiny-qatar-beats-out-america-for.html |archive-date=3 May 2011 |access-date=22 November 2022 |newspaper=The Miami Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=James |first=Stuart |date=2 December 2010 |title=World Cup 2022: 'Political craziness' favours Qatar's winning bid |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/02/world-cup-2022-qatar-winning-bid |url-status=live |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226062322/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/02/world-cup-2022-qatar-winning-bid |archive-date=26 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.londonworld.com/sport/world-cup-2022-british-boyband-blue-criticised-for-qatar-fan-festival-performance-amid-countrys-lgbtq-laws-3927170|title=World Cup 2022: British boyband Blue criticised for Qatar fan festival performance amid country's LGBTQ+ laws|website=London World|last=Evans|first=Ethan|date=22 November 2022|access-date=22 November 2022}}</ref> After the criticism, Williams stated, "I don't condone any abuses of human rights anywhere [...] if we're not condoning human rights abuses anywhere, then it would be the shortest tour the world has ever known: I wouldn't even be able to perform in my own kitchen [...] Anybody leaving messages saying 'no to Qatar' are doing so on Chinese technology [...] the hypocrisy there is that if we take that case in this place, we need to apply that unilaterally to the world. Then if we apply that unilaterally to the world, nobody can go anywhere."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/robbie-williams-stands-decision-perform-qatar-world-cup-despite-backlash|title=Robbie Williams stands by decision to perform in Qatar for the World Cup despite backlash|website=Fox News|last=Thayer|first=Caroline|date=21 November 2022|access-date=22 November 2022}}</ref>

On 5 May 2023, Williams was featured on the bilingual single "Une Tahitienne á Paris" by the French singer [[Mareva Galanter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/une-tahitienne-%C3%A0-paris-feat-robbie-williams/1683551936?i=1683551949|title=Une Tahitienne á Paris, Mareva Galanter featuring Robbie Williams|website=Apple Music|date=5 May 2023|access-date=10 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.public.fr/News/Une-des-plus-celebres-Miss-France-a-dit-un-grand-oui-a-Robbie-Williams-1771885|title=Une des plus cèlébres Miss France a dit un grand oui à Robbie Williams!|website=Public|last=4 May 2023|date=4 May 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}}</ref> On 21 August 2023, Williams was featured with a cameo performance on the single "Punk's Dead", by the English duo [[Soft Play]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://readdork.com/news/soft-play-punks-dead-reading-leeds-robbie-williams/|title=Soft Play are back with a bombastic new single, 'Punk's Dead', and a very special "notable guest"|first=Stephen|last=Ackroyd|date=21 August 2023|website=Dork}}</ref> Lufthaus' debut album, ''"Visions, Volume 1"'' was released on 6 October 2023. The single "Immortal", featuring [[Sophie Ellis-Bextor]], was released the day before.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Duran |first1=Anagricel |title=Robbie Williams' dance music project Lufthaus, announces debut album |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-dance-music-project-lufthaus-announces-debut-album-3498789 |website=NME |access-date=24 October 2023 |date=15 September 2023}}</ref>

=== 2024–present: ''Better Man'' ===
On 2 May 2024, Williams was featured on the duet version of [[Lucy Spraggan]]'s 2020 single "Sober".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1987gtdWzyqOfliplmDCUY?si=047bcc70dc394cbd|title=Lucy Spraggan – Sober (feat. Robbie Williams)|website=Spotify|date=2 May 2024|access-date=3 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://celebmix.com/lucy-spraggan-robbie-williams-share-tender-new-duet-sober/|title=Lucy Spraggan & Robbie Williams share tender new duet 'Sober'|website=CelebMix|last=Logan|first=Philip|date=3 May 2024|access-date=3 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.music-news.com/news/Underground/172844/Lucy-Spraggan-teams-up-with-superstar-Robbie-Williams|title=Lucy Spraggan teams up with superstar Robbie Williams|website=Music News|date=17 April 2024|access-date=3 May 2024}}</ref> In September 2024, he featured on the track "Danny" with the Israeli singer [[Noga Erez]] on her album, ''[[The Vandalist]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naot |first=Shira |date=2024-09-23 |title=Israeli Singer Noga Erez Will Make Guest Appearances at Pink's Concerts in the U.S. |url=https://www.haaretz.com/life/2024-09-23/ty-article/.premium/israeli-singer-noga-erez-will-make-guest-appearances-at-pinks-concerts-in-the-u-s/00000192-1f0b-dc44-affb-3f9b3b2d0000 |access-date=2025-03-11 |work=[[Haaretz]]}}</ref> The pair previously performed together at his June 2023 concert in [[Tel Aviv]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Jessica |date=2023-06-01 |title=Robbie Williams bonds with Noga Erez ahead of Tel Aviv show |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/robbie-williams-bonds-with-israels-noga-erez-ahead-of-tel-aviv-show/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |language=en-US}}</ref> 

In August 2024, ''[[Better Man (film)|Better Man]]'', a musical biopic about Williams' life, opened to acclaim at the [[Telluride Film Festival]]. It was screened at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]] on 10 September 2024, and made its theatrical premiere on 26 December 2024 in Australia by [[Roadshow Films]] and in the United Kingdom by [[Entertainment Film Distributors]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Benjamin |date=2024-09-11 |title=Better Man review – Robbie Williams monkey biopic is a bananas gamble that pays off |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/sep/11/better-man-movie-review |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=30 May 2024 |title=Joel Pearlman to Exit Australia's Village Roadshow After 30 Year Tenure – Global Bulletin |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/joel-pearlman-village-roadshow-1236019488/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> It had a limited theatrical release by [[Paramount Pictures]] in the United States on 25 December, before a wider release set for 10 January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=28 February 2024 |title='Naked Gun' Remake Set for 2025 by Paramount; 'TMNT' and 'Paw Patrol' Sequels Dated for 2026 |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/naked-gun-remake-2025-paramount-tmnt-paw-patrol-sequel-2026-1235925545/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228184542/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/naked-gun-remake-2025-paramount-tmnt-paw-patrol-sequel-2026-1235925545/ |archive-date=28 February 2024 |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=21 November 2024 |title=Paramount Tweaks Theatrical Rollout Of 'Better Man' & 'September 5' During Awards Season |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/paramount-better-man-sept-5-1236184010/ |accessdate=19 December 2024 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> ''Better Man'' received a record-breaking 16 nominations at the [[14th AACTA Awards|2025 AACTA Awards]], winning in nine categories, including [[AACTA Award for Best Film|Best Film]].<ref name="aacta" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Winter |first=Velvet |date=7 February 2025 |title=AACTA Awards 2025 winners list: Better Man named best film as Boy Swallows Universe sweeps for TV |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-07/aacta-awards-2025-winners-list-better-man-boy-swallows-universe/104911202 |access-date=7 February 2025 |website=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref> It was a [[box-office failure]], and performed particularly poorly in the US, where Williams is less known.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wolfson |first=Sam |date=2025-01-16 |title='I hate this movie, and I haven't even seen it' – Americans won't let a chimp Robbie Williams entertain them |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jan/16/robbie-williams-better-man-us |access-date=2025-02-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

On 29 November 2024, Williams released the first single from the ''Better Man'' soundtrack, "[[Forbidden Road]]"; it reached number 20 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart one week later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20241129/7000/|title=Official Singles Downloads Chart 29 November 2024 - 6 December 2024|website=Official Charts|date=29 November 2024|access-date=29 November 2024}}</ref> It was nominated for Best Original Song at the [[82nd Golden Globe Awards]] and the [[14th AACTA Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnard |first=Matthew |date=2024-12-09 |title=NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR 82nd ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBES® |url=https://goldenglobes.com/articles/nominations-announced-for-82nd-annual-golden-globes/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Golden Globes |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="aacta">{{Cite news |last=Jefferson |first=Dee |date=2024-12-06 |title=Robbie Williams biopic Better Man and Boy Swallows Universe lead 2025 Aacta award nominations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/dec/07/aacta-awards-2025-nominations-list-robbie-williams-biopic-better-man-boy-swallows-universe |access-date=2024-12-22 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> It was initially shortlisted for the [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]] at the [[97th Academy Awards]] but was disqualified a few days later after it was found it incorporated material from another song, "I Got A Name", as performed by [[Jim Croce]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=2024-12-20 |title=Robbie Williams Song Dropped From 2025 Oscar Shortlist: Here's Why |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/robbie-williams-song-dropped-from-2025-oscar-shortlist-best-original-song-1235863501/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Williams was a headline performer for Australia's nationally broadcast New Year's Eve concert, screened annually on the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] from in front of the [[Sydney Opera House]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/12/robbie-williams-to-headline-nye-concert.html|title=Robbie Williams to headline NYE concert|date=21 December 2024|website=[[TV Tonight]]|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=29 December 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220223937/https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/12/robbie-williams-to-headline-nye-concert.html|archive-date=20 December 2024}}</ref> A portion of his performance from Sydney also appeared in ''[[Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve]]'' in the United States broadcast, hosted by [[Ryan Seacrest]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Pilley|first=Max|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/carrie-underwood-jonas-brothers-tlc-and-sophie-ellis-bextor-headline-new-years-rockin-eve-show-in-times-square-3825485|title=Carrie Underwood, Jonas Brothers, TLC and Sophie Ellis-Bextor headline New Year's Rockin' Eve show in Times Square|date=1 January 2025|website=[[NME Networks]]|access-date=1 January 2025}}</ref> On 3 January 2025, the soundtrack album to ''Better Man'' debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums Downloads Chart, and at number 4 on the UK Soundtrack Albums Chart; on 24 January 2025, after the album was released on CD, it debuted at number 1 on the main UK Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/robbie-williams-better-man-ost/|title=Robbie Williams - Better Man OST|website=Official Charts|date=3 January 2025|access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref>

In May 2025, an exhibition of Williams' artwork opened in London. The ''Guardian'' gave it one out of five, saying it comprised "line drawings filled with [[therapy speak]], greeting-card banter and meaningless affirmations".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frankel |first=Eddy |date=2025-05-06 |title=Robbie Williams: Radical Honesty review – ‘Tone deaf, self-important, incredibly bad art’ |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/06/robbie-williams-radical-honesty-moco-london-art-exhibition-take-that |access-date=2025-05-07 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>