Robbie Williams shares new diagnosis as he speaks candidly about conditions: ‘Explains so much’
The 52-year-old singer also revealed his ADHD diagnosis back in 2023
Robbie Williams has disclosed that he has received an autism diagnosis, sharing the news during a question-and-answer session at the autumn/winter launch of his clothing line Hopeium at Flannels in London.
The 52-year-old pop star, who revealed his ADHD diagnosis back in 2023, told attendees: “I have ADHD and I just found out I have a bit of autism as well, which I actually f****** love because it explains so much.”
Mr Williams, who has long been open about his mental health challenges and anxiety, joked that the diagnosis now serves as a convenient explanation for his quirks.
“It is my get-out-of-jail-free card now, and all the weird s*** that I do I just say, ‘Sorry, I’m autistic,'” he said, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Robbie Williams has revealed he’s been diagnosed with autism
| PA
The former Take That frontman described how his ADHD allows him to focus with absolute intensity on certain tasks whilst making it impossible to engage with others.
“With the ADHD you can completely and utterly concentrate on something 1,000 per cent, but with absolutely everything else, you just cannot do it. Ask my kids,” he said.
He revealed that throwing himself into creative pursuits helps keep darker thought patterns at bay. “What I’m completely and utterly obsessed with is creating images and making funny things.
“If I’m creating images and funny things, I’m not thinking about me,” he explained.
Robbie Williams has been open and honest about his mental health battles | PAThe singer illustrated the severity of his intrusive thoughts with a striking anecdote about fearing he might possess telekinetic powers capable of bringing down an aircraft.
“So that’s the kind of level of insanity that I’m dealing with,” he added.
This is not the first time Williams has spoken candidly about his neurological differences. In October last year, he appeared on the podcast I’m ADHD!
“No You’re Not with Paul Whitehouse and Dr Mine Conkbayir, where he described his intrusive thoughts as a kind of internalised Tourette’s syndrome.
Robbie Williams has previously opened up about other health conditions
The singer has also acknowledged that his conditions make live performance a fraught experience, admitting he has a “complicated relationship” with touring.
“I mask, like I’m an Olympian at masking,” he told the podcast, explaining that his outward bravado conceals the opposite feelings beneath.
In a January interview with The Independent, Mr Williams reflected: “It took me nearly a couple of decades to fight through it, and now I’m at the other end and it’s beautiful.”
Mr Williams’s career has shown no signs of slowing. His latest studio record, Britpop, released in January, saw him surpass The Beatles’ longstanding record for the most UK number one albums.
Robbie Williams also has ADHD and Tourette’s
Last month, he performed at the World Cup final, where a piece of Nicorette gum tumbled from his mouth during a live interview and stuck to his forehead — an incident that predictably went viral.
“It is the most me thing I’ve ever done,” he remarked. “It wouldn’t feel right if I appeared on the world stage and absolutely nothing weird happened.”
Looking ahead, the singer has confirmed a pair of major outdoor concerts across the UK and Ireland for next summer, with dates scheduled shortly after Glastonbury 2027, fuelling speculation about a possible Worthy Farm appearance.
