Robbie Williams Refutes Manager's Claims on Addiction

Robbie Williams has publicly refuted claims made by his former manager, Nigel Martin-Smith, regarding his drug addiction, which were featured in the BBC documentary Boybands Forever. Williams took to social media to clarify that his substance abuse was not due to Martin-Smith's management or conditions within Take That, asserting it was his own response to the pressures and challenges he faced during his tenure with the band. He emphasized that his struggles, and those of his bandmates like Gary Barlow and Mark Owen, were part of a broader pattern of mental health challenges faced by boyband members. While Martin-Smith suggested that Williams blamed him for his behavior, Williams countered this narrative, accusing Martin-Smith of gaslighting and misrepresenting his trauma. Despite this, Williams expressed gratitude for the success achieved under Martin-Smith's management but maintained that the personal issues he and his bandmates faced were complex and multifaceted. The exchange highlights the ongoing conversation about the pressures of fame and mental health in the entertainment industry.