Robbie Williams in sweary Taylor Swift rant as he performs in 600-capacity venue

Singer Robbie Williams has told for the first time how he delayed his album to avoid a chart battle with Taylor Swift as he performed the smallest gig of his career. The star also opened up about wife Ayda, his feud with Oasisand daughter Teddy during the two-hour show at London’s Dingwalls, which ended at 1am.

Robbie showed off his new beefed-up physique to the 600-strong crowd during the electric gig, saying: “I want to perform as Robert this evening…and it turns out Robert is in really good, f****** shape.” He then admitted that the decision to move his new album Britop to February was afterTaylor Swift released The Life of a Showgirl, and he had been aiming for a record-breaking 16th Number One album.

He said: “We had to make a decision because Taylor Swift….we are all pretending its not about Taylor Swift but is f****** is. It is isn’t it? Here’s the truth right….I want 16 number one albums. Taylor decided to put her album out the same week as me and I thought: ‘for f***’s sake.” I was like: ‘can I put it out the next week’ and they said ‘she does these other deluxe versions’ and I thought: ‘f****** hell, can I put it out the week after that then, and they said it’s Oasis [live album from Wembley]. I thought: ‘for f****’s sake, I will do it in f***** February when nobody has got a f****** album out.' I was worried about making you all f****** wait but then I thought f*** it I want a 16th Number One album. I am sorry but I am f****** being selfish. How many times in your life do you get to have the most UK Number Ones albums anyone has ever had.”

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He also hit out at long-standing rival Noel Gallagher, who he famously feuded with in the 1990s. After joking about the similarity of his new song Spies to Oasis’ song Champagne Supernova, he began singing the latter song before adding: ““You wouldn’t believe the amount of times that melody changed in that chorus because it sounded like the song that it still f****** sounds like. It’s totally f****** different Noel. Don’t have a brass neck and sue me….all the f****** things you’ve nicked.”

On wife Ayda - who was in the audience - he said he had written song Pretty Face about her. He said: “We spend a lot of time on tour away from each other…I get star-struck looking at the beauty of my wife. This song is about her, and my favourite line is the one which says: ‘and the biggest prize is what’s behind those eyes.’ And its true. She may be pretty as f*** but she is smart as f*** too.”

He also opened up about his daughter Ted’s musical talent. “Myeldest daughter Theodora Rose turned 13 last month, and she is always writing songs. She was able to do it as a six and seven year old. She just makes some melodies and they fall out of her like a fountain.”

The gig coincided with Robbie announcing a run of shows in England and Scotland that will coincide with the album release. The Long 90's Tour kicks off in Glasgow at Barrowlands Ballroom on February 4 2026, with Williams playing Liverpool Olympia on the day of the album's release, February 6.

The 51-year-old will also play 02 Academy Brixton in London on February 8 and Wolverhampton's Civic Hall on February 9. The tour announcement coincides with the release of Williams' latest single, Pretty Face.

Musicians including Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Supergrass' Gaz Coombes, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi and Williams' former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow appear on the album. The Britpop cover shows Williams in his red tracksuit outfit that he wore to attend Glastonbury Festival in 1995, at the height of the Britpop era.

Fans who pre-order ‘BRITPOP’ from theRobbie Williams store will receive early access to tickets for the new live dates. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday 28th November. More information at britpop.robbiewilliams.com