Early Life and Education of Robbie Williams: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Robbie Williams, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Robbie Williams is an English singer and songwriter who rose to prominence as a member of the pop group Take That (1990-1995) before embarking on a successful solo career in 1996. His debut album, *Life thru a Lens* (1997), featured the hit single "Angels". He achieved further success with his second album, *I've Been Expecting You*, which included his first two number-one singles, "Millennium" and "She's the One". Williams has a discography boasting seven UK number-one singles and nearly all his albums reaching number one in the UK. He holds a Guinness World Record for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day during his 2006 tour.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1972: Jimmy Page moves into The Tower House

In 1972, Jimmy Page moved into The Tower House in Kensington, London. In 2016, Robbie Williams would become his next-door neighbour.

February 1974: Robert Peter Williams was born

In February 1974, Robert Peter Williams was born in Stoke-on-Trent to Janet (née Farrell) and Peter Williams.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Joined Take That

In 1990, Robbie Williams joined the pop group Take That, marking a significant step in his early career.

July 1995: Agreed to quit Take That

In July 1995, Robbie Williams agreed to quit Take That after being confronted about his attitude and behavior.

1995: Left Take That

In 1995, Robbie Williams left Take That to pursue his own musical direction.

February 1996: Take That Disbanded

On 13 February 1996, Robbie Williams's 22nd birthday, Take That disbanded.

June 1996: Signed with Chrysalis Records

On 27 June 1996, after legal battles to free himself from his Take That contract, Robbie Williams signed with Chrysalis Records.

1996: Launched solo career

In 1996, Robbie Williams launched his solo career, setting the stage for his individual success.

2002: Patron of the Donna Louise Trust

Since 2002, Robbie Williams has been the Patron of the children's charity the Donna Louise Trust, based in Stoke-on-Trent.

February 2006: Purchase of Shares in Port Vale FC

In February 2006, Robbie Williams bought £240,000 worth of shares in his hometown football club, Port Vale FC, becoming the largest shareholder.

2006: Emigration to Los Angeles

In 2006, Robbie Williams emigrated to Los Angeles, marking a significant change in his personal life.

2006: Inaugural Soccer Aid Match

In 2006, Robbie Williams, with the help of friend Jonathan Wilkes, organized the first Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2007: UFO Research

During his 2007-2008 sabbatical, Robbie Williams pursued his keen interest in UFOs and related paranormal phenomena, researching the subject.

2008: Soccer Aid Match

In 2008, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

March 2009: Showed interest in rejoining Take That

In March 2009, Robbie Williams had shown interest in rejoining Take That.

2009: Brief Return to the UK

In 2009, Robbie Williams briefly moved back to the UK, buying a mansion in Compton Bassett, before returning to Los Angeles a year later.

July 2010: Rejoined Take That

On 15 July 2010, Robbie Williams reconciled with his former colleagues and rejoined Take That.

August 2010: Wedding to Ayda Field

On August 7, 2010, Robbie Williams and Ayda Field were married at his home in Mulholland Estates in Beverly Hills.

September 2010: Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On

In September 2010, Robbie Williams switched on the Blackpool illuminations, considering it one of the greatest honours he had achieved.

2010: Soccer Aid Match

In 2010, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2010: Rejoined Take That

In 2010, Robbie Williams rejoined Take That, co-writing and performing lead vocals on their album Progress.

2011: Left Take That again

In 2011, Gary Barlow confirmed that Robbie Williams had left Take That for a second time to focus on his solo career.

2011: Diagnosis of Andropause

In 2011, Robbie Williams revealed that he had been experiencing lethargy caused by andropause for a number of years, initially mistaking it for a return of his depression.

2011: Progress tour

Since the 2011's Progress tour, although still officially part of Take That, Williams chose not to return for the group's seventh and eighth studio albums and their accompanying tours, focusing instead on his solo commitments.

March 2012: Loss of Shares in Port Vale FC

In March 2012, Port Vale FC entered administration, resulting in Robbie Williams losing all of his shares in the club and receiving only a fraction of his original investment back.

August 2012: Missed Olympics performance

In August 2012, Robbie Williams missed the Take That performance at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics because his wife gave birth around the same time.

2012: Soccer Aid Match

In 2012, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2014: Soccer Aid Match

In 2014, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2014: Awarded freedom of Stoke-on-Trent

In 2014, Robbie Williams was awarded the freedom of his hometown, Stoke-on-Trent, and was honored with a tourist trail and streets named after him.

2016: Move to Woodland House in London

In 2016, Robbie Williams moved into Woodland House, a £17 million mansion in the Kensington area of London, becoming neighbors with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.

2016: Soccer Aid Match

In 2016, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2017: Sale of Beverly Hills Mansion

In 2017, Robbie Williams sold his mansion in Beverly Hills to DJ Khaled for $9.9 million.

2018: Soccer Aid Match

In 2018, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2019: Soccer Aid Match

In 2019, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2019: Planned return for anniversary tour

In 2019, despite focusing on his solo commitments, Williams planned to return for a full tour to celebrate Take That's 30th anniversary.

June 2020: Addiction to Online Golf Games

In a June 2020 interview with Weight Watchers Magazine, Robbie Williams revealed that he had developed an addiction to online golf games.

2020: Playing Strip Design for Port Vale FC

In 2020, Robbie Williams helped to design the playing strip for the 2020–21 season of his hometown football team, Port Vale FC.

2020: Soccer Aid Match

In 2020, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2021: Soccer Aid Match

In 2021, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2022: Soccer Aid Match

In 2022, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2023: Soccer Aid Match

In 2023, Robbie Williams organized a Soccer Aid charity football match to raise money for UNICEF UK.

2024: Release of Better Man

In 2024, a film based on Robbie Williams' life, titled Better Man, was released.

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February 2025: Auction Purchase of Eric Morecambe Memorabilia

In February 2025, Robbie Williams, a long-time fan, bought Eric Morecambe's distinctive imitation tortoiseshell Metzler spectacles and pipe for £20,000 at an auction of Morecambe's memorabilia and personal items.