He fired up again the next night, telling the crowd of more than 50,000 at Suncorp Stadium in Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, that he’d heard about the controversy and promised not to smoke again -- as he puffed on a cigarette.
After giving up drugs and alcohol, smoking was his only vice, the singer said.
Stadium spokesman Greg Adermann said Rob had been reminded after the first concert that smoking was banned at the venue.
Queensland state Premier Peter Beattie said that the Stoke-born star was liable for fines totalling 150 Australian dollars, but that he would pay.
"He used it as part of his act and he is going to be treated like anybody else, but because of the circumstances, I am going to pay it," Beattie said. est
Robbie Williams tops calendar chart - Nov 26 2006
Robbie Williams is next year’s hottest calendar pin-up - despite disappointing sales of his most recent album.
The singer, 32, is Britain’s official calendar stud with the biggest sales so far for 2007.
Kylie Minogue, 38, reigns at the top of the girls’ calendar list - outselling the likes of Girls Aloud and glamour model Keeley.
The top tens are based on sales so far for Danilo, Europe’s biggest official calendar company.
Sci-fi show Dr Who takes takes second place in the overall calendar chart, following the smash-hit success of the BBC remake.
Take That make a return to the top 10 after the band reformed without Robbie.
Sir Cliff Richard, who has been in the top 10 for the last 20 years, has rocketed up two places to fourth place.
Wayne Rooney and the England football team fail to make the list of favourite sports calendars but Frank Lampard is a newcomer in eighth place.
Robbie picks up the tab - Nov 23 2006
Cheeky singer Robbie Williams showed his generous side recently - when he apparently picked up the tab for everyone in an Indian restaurant in exchange for some peace and quiet.
The 32-year-old reportedly told managers at the Mumbai Blue in Eggington, Derby, that he would open his wallet provided no one disturbed him or approached him while he ate his curry.
"He fancied a quiet evening out with friends - and he definitely didn’t want to be disturbed," an insider told the Daily Star.
"He is a very private person, and he gets jittery when a lot of people approach him and ask to have their picture taken with him.
"So he asked the restaurant for some privacy and they obliged."
A diner added: "People nearly choked on their naan bread when it became known that Robbie would pay for everyone’s meal.
"Some cheeky souls even ordered extra helpings and some more booze. We were all desperate to go up and speak to him, but everyone seemed to respect his wishes."
Robbie unveils film contest - Oct 11 2006
Robbie Williams is inviting budding directors to create a short music film for his song The 80s. The star will help judge the work with Jonathan Ross and filmmaker Lord Puttman.
The 80s features on the 32-year-old singer’s latest album, Rudebox.
Anita Dobson
Dean Gaffney
Sylvie Guillem
Faces in Fashion
Sir Paul Smith
Valentino: Valentino Garavani
Musicians
Brain May, Queen
Brian May
Brian May
Writers & Artists
Lucian Freud
Michael Winner
News & Features
Big Brother 8
Celeb Rehab
Keeping up with the WAGs...
Profiles: Film
Angelina Jolie
Keira Knightley
Tom Cruise
Profiles: Music
Britney Spears
Kylie Minogue
Madonna
Profiles: Fashion
Kate Moss
Naomi Campbell
Victoria Beckham
Robbie joined Take That when he was only 16, he had only one job previous to that, as a double glazing salesman, but apparently he wasn’t very good - he would tell customers not to buy them because they were so bad! For five years, Robbie became the joker of the band, always smiling and playing gags on people as Take That rose to record-breaking stardom. However, in July 1995 Robbie announced he was to leave the band to concentrate on a solo career...a nation of teenage girls mourned.
After a stint eating pies, doing drugs and being friends with the Gallaghers, Robbie signed to Chrysalis Records. His first ever solo single on this label would be a cover of George Michael’s Freedom . It was released on July 29th 1996 exactly one year after his departure from Take That. It reached No 2 in the UK charts. Life began to get a bit rough for Robbie during the following months, he met Jacquie Hamilton-Smith at a New Years Eve Party of 1996, moved in with her the next day and partied (in more ways that one) for exactly one year before coming to his senses. In the middle of all this he released his second single Old Before I Die on April 14th 1997 which also reached No 2 in the charts.
At the beginning of June 1997 after many bad reports in the media, Robbie checked himself into a rehab centre to receive treatment for his addiction to alcohol and drugs. After 4 weeks at the centre Rob emerged 2 stones lighter, sporting a new haircut, and hopefully feeling much better. The release of Lazy Days followed soon after on July 14th, and made it’s first appearance in the UK charts at No 8, to be followed shortly by South Of The Border.
December 1997 was the real beginning for Robbie, he released ’Angels’ as his Christmas single, never knowing quite what an impact it would have on the market. Into the new year of 1998 it was still in the charts and ’Life Thru A Lens’ shot back into the album charts and has been there ever since. Robbie truly had arrived, signing up thousands of new fans daily. Millennium and accompanying album I’ve Been Expecting You followed up on this success, making Robbie the biggest selling artist of 1998.
He began trying to win over the US in 1999 touring The Ego Has Landed. His success continued in 2000 with the release of immediate hit, Rock DJ. Sing When You’re Winning, was as popular as his accompanying collection of lounge covers, Swing When You’re winning. In 2002, Robbie signed a record breaking contract with EMI for £50m, securing his place in pop history. Escapology duly topped the charts in the UK while Robbie spent time in LA being papped with new girlfriend Rachel Hunter.
The biggest outdoor concert ever was hosted by Robbie in 2003 at Knebworth Park attracting 375,000 fans over three days. He followed up this success with two album releases, a Greatest Hits and 2005’s Intensive Care which accompanied his appearance on stage at Live8. Around this time speculation was rife that Robbie was ready to patch things up with his former bandmates and take part in a Take That reunion tour. However Robbie disappointed fans and friends by failing to turn up at an ITV organised reunion and merely recording a video part for the tour which Gary and co embarked on a UK tour without him.
But Robbie wasn’t resting on his laurels. While Take That returned to the studio Robbie did the same, releasing his tenth album, Rudebox in 2006 which brought more controversy to the singer when he failed to credit a supposed co-writer.
It never seems to stop for Robbie.
updated Oct 2006
September 2007