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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To severely dislike Robbie Williams?

352 replies

GerardNoWay · 31/12/2016 23:44

OH has insisted on watching BBC in the run up to midnight.

I cannot stand Robbie Williams. I think he puts on a horrendously arrogant front, to the point of coming across as disingenuous. Deep down I think he's quite insecure.

There is just something about him that grates on me no end! I don't dislike his music, just find him irritating and fake.

OP posts:
itsawonderfulworld · 02/01/2017 01:21

I used to know a "superfan" - a sad lady in her late 40s who gets tickets for all Robbie's gigs, normally front row. Poor Robbie has to grin and bear it - he actually recognises her at this stage and it's cringeworthy. The worst bit is when she pushes her daughter onto the stage.

LucyBabs · 02/01/2017 01:47

Jeez less of the hate and more love people! I'm neither a fan or a foe.. I can't ever understand the questioning "why do you love him" Eh why do you love the music or singers you listen to?!

MrsPeelyWally · 02/01/2017 02:06

Im enjoying the show on catch up

Ha ha...good one

Yes it was a good one though granted his voice seemed a bit off. However, it was almost the same show he did a few weeks ago when he won another BAFTA and he was very good on the night.

GilMartin · 02/01/2017 03:13

I used to know a "superfan"

I'm always a bit nonplussed when someone is devoted to one artist almost to the exclusion of every other act and buy everything they put out and consume it without discernment.The emotional investment seems to be with the performer rather than the music they produce. Of the bands I like, there's stuff they've done I've not enjoyed or they've lost the plot after a certain point in time. I can only think of one band I like that hasn't made one so-so or inessential album.

noeffingidea · 02/01/2017 03:43

vapours lots of posts get ignored. Thats the way discussions go.

IPityThePontipines · 02/01/2017 04:04

One of the worst things about the 90's was the inexplicable success of RW and cloth-eared 1 CD a year from Tesco types declaring that he was "a great showman".

The horror! The horror!

RubbishMantra · 02/01/2017 04:39

I have a fond memory of when DH and I first saw the Williams gurning around in a pink suit, in his video to his "hit" Candy. Our faces went Shock Hmm Grin Then we nearly peed our pants laffing.

Sad really, because when my horrible neighbour found out DH had died, he kept blasting out Bodies (in the graveyard). Neighbour doesn't like me much.

RubbishMantra · 02/01/2017 05:03

Just had a look at William's laydeez-in-pants performance, and it put me in mind of . Grin

RockyBird · 02/01/2017 05:14

I knew someone who worked as his bodyguard. Robbie cried when the guy refused to play a game of monopoly with him. He also had a dog or dogs that shit all over the place that Robbie left for the cleaner to deal with on her day.

I do like going to see him live, but the man is a prick.

HappyLittleCloud · 02/01/2017 08:28

Not everyone here is arbitrarily bashing RW. Plenty of people have given valid reasons why they find him and/or his behaviour distasteful. Some of us genuinely don't understand the appeal, so asking fans what it is about him they love is a legitimate question I'd say.

I'm amused by the irony of being told to just not watch him, by fans who have clicked on a thread with a title like this one!

TheHiphopopotamus · 02/01/2017 09:23

I knew someone who worked as his bodyguard. Robbie cried when the guy refused to play a game of monopoly with him

I think some people who found fame as youngsters have never had the chance to develop emotionally and don't become fully rounded adults who can handle the word 'no'.

Christian Bale and the guy who played Billy Elliott seem to be the same. They manage to have some of the most epic tantrums that wouldn't look out of place being thrown by a toddler. Wasn't Robbie Williams 15 or 16 when he joined Take That?

RockyBird · 02/01/2017 10:30

Yes he was very young.

I had all his CDs back in the 90s. I was in a shitty job and even shittier relationship. Playing Robbie (and George Michael) loudly in the car from work to home and vice versa got me through some dark times...so even if he's a jumped up eejit I still appreciated his work.

Justin Bieber is another gigantic bellend.

GerardNoWay · 02/01/2017 11:00

Justin Beiber is awful, too! Having said that I do rather like a few of his songs, just think he's developed a sense of entitlement as a result of being famous so young.

I've never really understood the whole superfan thing either. There's plenty of artists and bands that I love and try to see them if I can, but that doesn't mean I swallow everything they produce and brand it amazing without question. Or, like with RW, excuse or brush over shitty behaviours and still think the sun shines out of their arses.

OH is from Stoke on Trent and his claim to fame is that Robbie nearly ran him down in the street whilst out on his roller blades. What a guy! Hmm

OP posts:
Footinmouthasusual · 02/01/2017 11:06

I thought him mentioning his dd and her vagina was strange. Not necessary and totally irrelevant.

dollydaydream114 · 02/01/2017 11:07

I really loathe him. He's like an end-of-the-pier/Butlin's cabaret act and his smirking gob makes my fist twitch.

Roussette · 02/01/2017 11:32

He just needs a red coat and a stint at Butlins, he is end of the pier totally agree. He has been very lucky to still be able to keep going with his 'singing' career.

He always looks a bit grubby to me. Hard to explain... just like he needs a good wash.

schlong · 02/01/2017 11:51

Why all the hate? Fwiw I find him a product of his age and not to be castigated personally. Not everyone can be Thom Yorke. Leave him alone as I reckon he's got a good heart. At least he pays his taxes unlike the frankly despicable Gary fuckin Barlow!!!!!!

DodoRevival · 02/01/2017 11:57

Why all the hate?

Posters have been saying why, it's not like this is a thread of posters writing 'I hate him'. What hasn't been explained (bar one I think) is why people like him.

Out of interest how do you know he pays his tax? Also didn't Gary Barlow avoid tax rather than evade it? (Open to correction on that)

deblet · 02/01/2017 12:03

I love watching Robbie and go to his concerts. My 12 year old likes him too. I am surprised I thought it was only my mum's generation who hated him and dd says that's because they are all old (70). I can understand no one liking his music that's personal taste but to hate him seems extreme.He is great in concert and some of his songs are brilliant. Yes he has mental health problems and it makes him come over a bit weird but I don't hold mental health against anybody. Most performers have a stage act being extreme and cocky is his.

formerbabe · 02/01/2017 12:08

some of his songs are brilliant

That's a matter of opinion.

BuntyFigglesworthSpiffington · 02/01/2017 12:13

He swaggers about as though he's some kind of muso genius when he's just a Freddy Starr lookalike with the musical talents of Darren Day.

Yes, his continuing popularity is quite the puzzler.

Beebeeeight · 02/01/2017 12:14

Unlike the others he auditioned for TT as they needed a younger member to appeal to the teenage girls.

He was never the brightest spark.
He was famous too young.
He took way too many drugs.
He has mental health problems.

I don't think he'll live a long and happy life.

HappyLittleCloud · 02/01/2017 12:22

Are you his tax auditor schlong?

TheNaze73 · 02/01/2017 12:23

He was once good but, hasn't made a decent record for years

Roussette · 02/01/2017 12:31

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard had to pay back over £50 million for tax avoidance. I believe Barlow was at the forefront of it... greedy bastard!

A court ruled the scheme was more about 'tax avoidance' than investment.