Robbie Williams has spoken candidly about his mental health issues, saying he has a "disease" that wants to kill him. The pop star admitted he has been close to death "so many times", in a revealing interview in which he also likened himself to George Michael, who died on Christmas Day in 2016.
Speaking to The Sun, Robbie 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. Sometimes it overwhelms me and sometimes it's a tool I need to get on stage. Sometimes I live in bliss and it's wonderful," he added. "But most of the time I'm human – having a human experience, trying to deal with the trials and tribulations of what goes on between my ears."
Robbie Williams has opened up about his mental health struggles
Robbie, who is currently on tour in Australia, also said that George Michael's death had had a big impact on him as they had shared similar lifestyles. "It's been a very similar roller-coaster, yes. And I miss George Michael, I wish he was here."
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The 43-year-old's interview comes just months after he was forced to cancel his Russian tour dates after becoming seriously ill while backstage at a stadium in Zurich. "My left arm went numb and I couldn't stop dribbling out of the side of my mouth," he told The Sun in December. "I had a headache and I was also having trouble breathing. I couldn't get a full breath." Robbie said that while a doctor was called, he was told he could continue with his Heavy Entertainment Show tour. However he was still feeling ill, and flew to London for emergency tests.
The singer said he has a "disease" in his head
Robbie explained: "I had blood tests done, and I had various scans including ones of my heart and my brain, and there were some abnormalities found, including something on my brain that looked like blood. That was obviously very scary, so the decision was taken out of my hands and I was sent straight to the intensive care unit."
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