Robbie Williams confirms he DID delay his album because of Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl
Robbie Williams has confirmed he pushed back his album to avoid a chart battle with Taylor Swift.
Robbie Williams has confirmed reports that he delayed his new solo album BRITPOP because of Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl.
The record was originally set for release on October 10, just a week after Taylor Swift’s album, which came out on October 3, and now he has admitted he pushed back the release in a bid to stand a better chance of obtaining his 16th number one album.
Speaking to the crowd at his smallest gig to date at Camden's Dingwalls in London on Thursday night (09.10.25), where he played his unreleased record in full for the first time, Robbie addressed the delay to his LP.
He said onstage: “Here’s the truth: I want 16 Number One albums. Taylor then decided to put her album out the same weekend as me. I was like, ‘For f***’s sake! I’ll put it out the next week’, and they were like, ‘She does these other deluxe versions’. I was like, ‘F****** hell! Can I put it out the week after that then?’ They were like, ‘Oasis might be around then’… ‘For f***’s sake! Let’s do it in f****** February when no one’s got an album out’.”
The She's the One singer apologised to his fans for being "selfish", but explained that he is desperate to become the artist with the most number one albums in the UK.
He continued: “I was worried about making you all f****** wait, and then I was like, ‘F*** it! I want a 16th Number One album!’ I’m sorry, but I’m f****** being selfish. How many times in your life do you get to have the most Number One albums the UK’s ever f****** had?”
Fans are having to wait until February 6 for BRITPOP.
However, Robbie has just announced a series of intimate gigs that month.
As part of The Long 90’s Tour, Robbie will play Glasgow at Barrowlands Ballroom on February 4, 2026, and Liverpool Olympia on the album's new release day of February 6.
The 51-year-old former Take That star will also hit up London's O2 Academy Brixton on February 8, and Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall on February 9.
He will perform his debut album, Life Thru A Lens, and BRITPOP.
Fans who pre-order the album from Robbie's official store will gain early access to tickets. A general sale will take place on November 28.
Robbie has also shared the new single Pretty Face from BRITPOP.
