News : Robbie Williams jokes about nepotism while supporting daughter’s music dreams

On Monday 12 January, an extended conversation between Scott Mills and Robbie Williams will air on BBC Radio 2’s The Scott Mills Breakfast Show from 6.30am to 9.30am.

During the interview, Robbie opens up about learning how to communicate better after becoming a parent, his thoughts on his daughter Theodora wanting to be a singer, and what it feels like attending school meetings for his son Charlie.

Robbie Williams asked, “Can I ask you something? You’re brilliant at what you do. You’re genuinely excellent at your job. You’re a great conversationalist. Do you find it easier being yourself and talking on the radio than you do in everyday life?”
Scott Mills replied, “Yes.”
Robbie followed up, “Why do you think that is?”
Scott answered, “Because radio presenters and sometimes pop stars are naturally awkward and shy.”
Robbie added, “Why can’t we use those skills in real life?”
Scott said, “Why can’t we feel this confident”
Robbie continued, “And this interesting”
Scott finished, “And this engaged in everyday situations? I don’t get it.”

Robbie then admitted, “I used to be absolutely awful at talking to people. At one point I didn’t even know how to be human. I could talk on the radio or in interviews, but outside of that I struggled, so I had to actually practise.”
Scott responded, “Did you really?”
Robbie replied, “Oh yeah.”
Scott asked, “What did you do, write notes or bullet points?”
Robbie said, “No, what I did was pretend everyone was on a podcast. It was my podcast, and my job was to work out why that person was interesting. That’s how I managed at least five minutes of conversation, and then it grew, like going to the gym. At first it hurts, then your muscles adjust. Now I can get through a whole dinner party without internally falling apart.”

Scott added, “We’ve spoken about this before, off air, how hard you find that, and sometimes I do too. When did you actually develop that skill?”
Robbie explained, “When I knew I was going to become a dad. I thought, I can’t keep being someone who’s only comfortable lying in bed watching reality TV. I had to step into the world and work out how to function. When the kids arrived, that’s when I realised I needed to become a fully formed human.”

Scott recalled, “Do you remember when I stayed at your place? That was before kids. We had a great time, but we basically stayed in, watched reality TV, and barely went outside.”
Robbie replied, “But you’re easy company. I can be outgoing with the right people.”
Scott agreed, “Same here.”
Robbie added, “There just aren’t many of those people.”

Scott then said he was grateful to spend time with Robbie before his Munich show at the end of last summer, noting how loved he is in Germany. Scott also mentioned enjoying the pre show routine and asked Robbie to explain it.
Robbie said, “Before the show I get my massage, then my make up done, then I head to the band room. After the vocal warm up, we have a disco.”

Scott laughed and said he had seen the huddle before but never the disco part until Munich.
Robbie explained, “We all gather and I ask a question each night. It breaks the tension of getting ready for the show and shifts your mindset. The questions can be something like, ‘What do you love about yourself?’ There might be dancers, the band, guests. Then we all pray to Elvis. ‘Elvis grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, uh huh.’ Leg goes out to the side.”

Scott admitted he felt awkward doing the ‘uh huh’ at first but quickly got used to it.
Robbie added that when there are guests, he sometimes invites them to give words of encouragement to the group. He said he should have done it for Scott but knew he would not have enjoyed it.

Robbie shared a story about doing it once with José Mourinho, assuming he would know it was a joke. He later realised Mourinho genuinely took it seriously and offered encouragement as if it were a real motivational talk. Robbie admitted it was an awkward moment.

Scott then mentioned seeing a clip of Robbie’s daughter Theodora joining the vocal warm up and asked if it felt special now that the kids understand who their dad is.
Robbie said it was incredibly special, especially for Ted, who wants it desperately. He compared her passion to how he felt growing up in Stoke on Trent, watching Top of the Pops and wondering how to be part of that world.

Robbie shared a message his daughter sent him at 2.06am, saying, “Dad, what if I’m not a singer? It’s my biggest fear not to be a singer. What if I’m nothing?”
Robbie said his response was, “Babe, you’re a nepo. You’ll be fine.”

Scott laughed and asked if it worries Robbie that she wants that life.
Robbie said the only concern is her sensitivity. He described himself as painfully sensitive and said she is even more so. He explained that he worries about how words and unkind people might affect her, though he knows he can guide her professionally.

Robbie added that despite the challenges, being creative for a living is a wonderful life. He said he feels incredibly grateful and lucky for the opportunities he has had.

Scott then mentioned a photo of Robbie’s father visiting him on tour and said it was beautiful.
Robbie shared that his father has Parkinson’s and had not left the house much in years. He explained how his dad travelled from Stoke on Trent to Newcastle in a wheelchair to see him perform.

Robbie said his father sat by the stage watching, smiling proudly throughout the show. He said every time he checked on him, he saw the same beaming expression and that it is a moment he will treasure forever.

Scott reflected on how strange it feels becoming the grown up and dealing with ageing parents.
Robbie said he realises how sixteen he still feels, especially around parents and at parent teacher meetings.

Robbie shared a story about meeting with his son Charlie’s teacher, admitting he became distracted thinking about bisons during the conversation. He joked that if he struggles to focus at 51, he worries about how his eleven year old copes.

Scott told Robbie he is at his best right now.
Robbie responded by saying he has stepped into his power and joked about applying himself, something he once avoided intentionally.

Robbie finished by saying he now understands the gift his career and life have given him. He said he makes no apologies for embracing gratitude and feeling lucky to still be here.