Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Robbie’s reunion gig
Star’s mum and dad together again 45 years after break-up
ROBBIE Williams gives his parents a squeeze as the trio pose for a photo with each other for the first time in over 40 years.
Pop singer Robbie won rave reviews on the first night of his series of gigs in Vegas, and bringing his divorced mum and dad back together for the picture after the show deserved an ovation too.
The ex-take That star was a toddler when his parents Pete and Jan split.
Pete, 69, posted the photo online and said: “First picture of Rob with his mum and dad for 45 years.
“A little bit of history that had to be shared... proud parents. Well done, son.”
Jan brought Robbie up alone after her marriage to Pete ended.
Robbie has often spoken of his dedication to his mum, saying she helped him battle drink and drugs problems.
And she has been named as the inspiration behind some of his songs including 1997 hit Angels.
Robbie has also maintained a close relationship with his dad, who is no stranger to showbiz – shooting to fame on talent show New Faces in 1973 as a comedian and singer.
Pete, whose five-year marriage to Melanie Mills, 44, broke down recently, has often performed with Robbie and the father and son were back on stage together on the opening night of the residency in Vegas.
They earned one of the biggest cheers of the evening when they sang Neil Diamond classic Sweet Caroline.
Robbie told the packed crowd at the Wynn Las Vegas resort in the US state of Nevada: “I want to be famous in America – I want Jennifer Aniston to know who I am.”
The 45-year-old Brit, one of the judges on ITV show X Factor, added: “I can’t remember the last time a gig meant this much to me.” His set included hits such as Rock DJ, and Let Me Entertain You.
The residency runs until July, but resort chiefs are thought to be very keen to secure him for longer.
A Vegas source said: “The ticket sales have been a revelation – Robbie is going down a storm. Bosses would love to make this a more permanent residency. He is nailing it.
“They knew the response would be good, but this has been off the chart.”
A little bit of history that had to be shared. Proud parents – well done, son ROBBIE’S DAD PETE ON THE PHOTO AFTER GIG IN LAS VEGAS