Robbie Williams has pulled out of the London Olympics closing ceremony, as his wife is due to give birth. The Take That star has been rehearsing for the event, and was expected to perform a medley of his greatest hits, as well as a cover of David Bowie's 'Life on Mars'?
However, he has been forced to pull out as wife Ayda Field reaches her due date at the same times as the ceremony. Robbie is reportedly unwilling to risk missing the birth of his first child, landing a bitter blow to the Olympic organisers who had planned much of the closing ceremony around one of the UK's biggest stars. A source told the UK's Daily Mirror, "'Robbie quit a few weeks ago. He had been lined up to perform solo material and it was hoped he would sing with Take That. However, just as rehearsals were kicking off, he said there was an unfortunate clash of dates. It meant organisers had to adjust the entire schedule, because Robbie is an extremely high-profile performer, and had been given such an important role in the finale".
Other performers still scheduled to perform at the closing ceremony including Robbie's band-mates Take That, as well as George Michael and The Who. Organisers were left red faced earlier this year, after publically stating their desire for the latter to play with original drummer Keith Moon. He died in 1978.