Robbie Williams: Arthritis has affected my performance
Robbie Williams has arthritis in his back which has hampered his energetic dancing.
The 42-year-old musician has revealed that he suffers from the common condition – which causes pain and inflammation in a joint – and it has hindered his ability to dance and play football.
Speaking to the Evening Standard newspaper, the ‘Let Me Entertain You’ hitmaker said: "I’ve got arthritis in my back so I can’t put my foot through a ball. I have very tight hamstrings, barely existent calves. I dance like a drunk dad at a wedding. But I’ve got to do something to fill the time on stage."
The former Take That member has shared his diagnoses at an opportune moment, as Wednesday (12.10.16) will mark World Arthritis Day, which aims to encourage people to live their lives to the fullest by sharing personal stories from those successfully living with the condition.
Meanwhile, the ‘Angels’ singer – who has previously suffered from drug addiction and the mental illness neuroses – has admitted that his family has helped him overcome his demons. Robbie is father to daughter Teddy, four, and son Charlie, two months, whom he shares with his wife Ayda.
He said: "Having kids has completely focused my attention away from my neuroses and addictions. My life is tenfold better for it. Daddy goes to work and it all makes sense. This is my job. It’s not a normal job. And having children has made it all make sense."
And for Robbie – who recently returned to the public eye with his new single ‘Party Like a Russian’ – the biggest worry he has right now is whether or not his music goes down well in the charts.
He said: "About six weeks ago, I was in Los Angeles and I was hearing about people really finding it difficult to break into the top 40. Pop stars that are much more relevant than me, struggling. I was like, ‘God, I’m f***ed! If they can’t get in, how the f**k am I going to get in?’ Because the rules have changed. It’s all about streaming — my audience doesn’t stream. Which means the singles charts are a bit f***ed for me."
