I feel like I'm always having to justify why I haven't kept in touch with anyone from the old days in Stoke-on-Trent, but I'm like that with anybody. I don't let anybody in. I just rely on myself.

When the album Swing When You're Winning (in reference to his 2000 studio album Sing When You're Winning) was released in late 2001 it became an instant hit in the UK Ireland New Zealand Austria Germany and Switzerland. A DVD called Robbie Williams Live at the Albert Hall was released in December of that year. A mixture of celebrities and professional football players have played Soccer Aid matches in 2006 2008 2010 and 2012 at Old Trafford in Manchester and Wembley Stadium in London.

Williams has sold over 70 million records worldwide which ranks him among the best-selling music artists worldwide. After many disagreements with the management and group members Williams left the group in 1995 to launch his solo career.