‘I needed to get out’: Robbie Williams reveals his reasons behind Take That departure

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Robbie Williams has opened up about his decision to leave Take That, calling the situation at the time a “burning building” from which he had to escape. After joining the band at age 16 in 1990, Williams quickly became a fan favourite and provided lead vocals for some of Take That’s earliest hits, including “Could It Be Magic?”. A new programme for BBC Sounds, titled Robbie Williams: My Life Thru a Lens, sees the recording artist taking a retrospective look at his career on the 25th anniversary of his first solo album. It was unsafe and it was surreal and that, mixed with what I was ingesting to cope with my life and the way that my body and mind reacts to it, didn’t mix well.” Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Robbie Williams During his time in the band, Williams began abusing drugs and alcohol.