Robbie Williams "terrified" by Electric Proms

Robbie Williams feared he would end up in a mental home before his comeback show.

The singer took a three-year break from music after his 2006 album Rudebox was panned, and was terrified at the prospect of returning to the stage for BBC’s Electric Proms last month.

“I had no idea it was being screened in cinemas all over the world. I am glad I didn’t know. I felt awful 24 hours before the show,” Robbie revealed to BBC Radio One. “I finally thought, ‘You can’t do this to yourself, think about it in a different way and try not to be bothered. If you keep going on like this you’re going to end up in a mental home.’

“I decided to just stand there and sing my songs.”

Robbie – who has previously checked into rehab to be treated for depression and an addiction to prescription medication – was thrilled when his plan to remain calm paid off and he won rave reviews for his performance. “The audience was very receptive,” Robbie, 35, explained. “It was a wonderful gig. I know it can be boring for people to hear new songs but the crowd clapped and cheered.

“I didn’t feel a high after the show, I just remained calm, stayed in a plateau.”