Robbie Williams opens up about battle with 'intrusive thoughts' as singer reveals he has 'inside tourettes'

The Angels hitmaker revealed details of his struggle for the first time on the subject, having previously spoken openly about neurodiversity, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD.

“I've just realised that I have Tourette’s, but they don't come out,” the former Take That star has revealed.

“They are intrusive thoughts that happen, I was just walking down the road the other day, and I realised that these intrusive thoughts are inside Tourettes. It just doesn't come out.

“Not only that, you would think that a stadium full of people professing their love to you would work as [a distraction], but whatever it is inside me cannot hear it. I cannot take it in.”

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The British musician shared details of a recent online autism test with Paul Whitehouse and Dr Mine Conkbayir's podcast.

He explained that despite the results coming back negative, it revealed he has “autistic traits” including anxiety about leaving his bed.

“It turns out I'm not [autistic], but I've got autistic traits. And it's around, social stuff, it's about interaction,” he explained.

He said the test came in a bid to gain an “understanding of why I feel so uncomfortable in my skin".

“When I'm in bed, that's my comfort zone. Anywhere outside of that bed is my discomfort zone,” the Rock DJ singer said.

“It's getting better. It was awful through my horrendous twenties, bad through my thirties, my forties started to get better and I'm on an upward curve, but I'm still uncomfortable in my skin.

“Much like I have sought out medication to fix it, I'm constantly still looking for the reason and the whys.”

The British pop star is currently on a world tour, taking in a host of international dates.

But touring is something the singer has long struggled with, revealing: "I have a very complicated relationship with touring and performing live.

"People say, 'Oh, you going on tour? You must be really, really excited," he explained.

"Not really. I'm terrified, right? I'm terrified.

"I mask like I'm an Olympian at masking because what I managed to do, to my detriment as well, is I will look full of bravado and look pompous and look smug and do these grand gestures, which have worked for me because they put my face on the poster and people still buy tickets."

Robbie Williams tour dates

Williams will release his next album Britpop on February 6, 2026, and has been touring this summer.

Remaining dates are:

• October 2 - Panathenaic Stadium, Athens, Greece,
• October 7 - İTÜ Stadyumu, Istanbul, Turkey
• October 9 - Long 90s, Camden, London

Robbie Williams' songs and albums

• Life Thru a Lens (1997): Old Before I Die, Lazy Days, South of the Border, Angels, Let Me Entertain You
• I've Been Expecting You (1998): Millennium, No Regrets, Strong, She's the One, Win Some Lose Some
• Sing When You're Winning (2000): Rock DJ, Kids, Supreme, Let Love Be Your Energy, Eternity
• Swing When You're Winning (2001): Somethin' Stupid, Mr. Bojangles (not a major single release as it was a covers album)
• Escapology (2002): Feel, Come Undone, Something Beautiful, Sexed Up, Feel (re-release in some markets)
• Intensive Care (2005): Tripping, Make Me Pure, Advertising Space, Sin Sin Sin
• Rudebox (2006): Rudebox, Lovelight, She's Madonna, Bongo Bong and Je Ne T'Aime Plus
• Reality Killed the Video Star (2009): Bodies, You Know Me, Morning Sun
• Take the Crown (2012): Candy, Different, Be a Boy
• Swings Both Ways (2013): Go Gentle, I Wan'na Be Like You, Dream a Little Dream
• The Heavy Entertainment Show (2016): Party Like a Russian, Love My Life, Mixed Signals
• Under the Radar Volume 1 (2019): Can't Stop Christmas
• The Christmas Present (2019): Time for Change, Bad Sharon (with Tyson Fury)
• XXV (2022): Lost (reworked version)