Robbie Williams "deserves" number one

Robbie Williams "deserves" a number one album because he went to rehab.

The singer's eighth solo record Reality Killed the Video Star is released in the UK this week and he hopes fans take pity on him after his battle with depression and drugs. Robbie's stiffest chart competition is JLS, the boyband who finished second in last year's TV talent show The X Factor.

"JLS are wonderful boys. I really like them," Robbie told BBC Radio One. "They are just at the start of their career and they deserve a number one album. Oh actually, can I just backtrack? I deserve it far more than them, I have been around for longer - the blood, the sweat, the tears, the rehab trips. They haven't even been to rehab once! Give them 18 months!"

He later laughingly added: "I've changed my mind, JLS don't deserve it now. I do."

It is believed JLS' self-titled debut LP has sold just 3,000 copies less than Reality Killed the Video Star.

Robbie says he is now happy to joke about his struggle to overcome his addiction to prescription medication. When asked why he is looking so good at the moment, he laughingly replied: "It's down to make-up and pills."

The 35-year-old star has turned his back on partying since he began dating American actress Ayda Field. Robbie now shuns showbiz parties and prefers to organise quizzes at home for his friends. "It's all about poker nights and quiz nights," Robbie revealed. "Our team is called Quizteama Aguilera.

Quizzes are the new rock 'n' roll. Staying in is the new going out."