If I can go to work with my best friend, then that’s the best
Love and marriage... and the X Factor. Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda prepare to shake things up as they join the judging panel on the ITV show
THE X FACTOR ITV, 8pm, tonight and tomorrow
ROBBIE WILLIAMS sang “Let me entertain you” and he plans to do just that as one of the new X Factor judges.
He describes it as the most fun experience of his entire career and says that the ITV singing contest has given him a “new lease of life”.
The singer and former Take That star and his wife Ayda are new recruits for the 15th series of the talent show, along with One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson.
Robbie says appearing with Ayda will give fans an insight into their marriage. “I know what my wife is capable of. I know what we’re capable of together so we’ve just been waiting for the right vehicle to go, ‘Check out the Williams!’
“I think it will be interesting for people to see us together in that way.”
Robbie’s career spans nearly 30 years. He found fame after joining boy band Take That in 1990 alongside Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald.
But he says the X Factor is a career highlight. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in showbusiness hands down, full stop. I just can’t believe I’ve never done it before,” he says.
“In a weird way the pressure is off. When you appear on TV shows like The X Factor doing promotion you’re being judged. Now we’re doing the judging.
“I feel like I’ve found a new lease of life, I love working with my wife and it’s just fun. It’s brought a whole lot of fun back to my job.”
The 44-yearold is one of the UK’s leading pop stars and has forged a wildly successful solo career post Take That with 10 number one studio albums, two chart-topping greatest hits compilations and 13 solo Brit Awards – one of which cites his impact on British culture. He also sang at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Russia earlier this year.
The singer, whose hits including Angels, Millennium and Let Me Entertain You, married Ayda in 2010 and the pair have two children together – daughter Theodora Rose and son Charlton Valentine.
Robbie says he is excited to be working with Ayda, his “best friend”, on the show, along with Louis Tomlinson and X Factor boss Simon Cowell.
“I got together with Ayda 12 years ago, I was having a hiatus from the music industry,” Robbie says. “I didn’t do anything for three years and I loved it. I realised that I just wanted to spend time with my best mate. “If I go to work, ultimately I go to work so I can come home and relax with my best friend. If I can go to work with my best friend, then that’s the best of both worlds.” Ayda has acted in the likes of American soap opera Days Of Our Lives, Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip and sitcom Back To You, and she is now a regular Loose Women panellist. She cites her years being with former Take That star Robbie as experience enough to be a judge on the show.
“I know that I’ve helped Rob for 12 years now, I’ve had to pick him up off the ground and lift him up,” says the American TV star.
“I’ve been part of every song choice for like five albums, for his live shows, his tours, music videos, I feel like I’ve had enough experience with his career and my own career to make a difference with these contestants.”
She says she does not want to say she is the “brains” behind the pop star, but that she has “very strong instincts and Rob trusts those instincts.”
“I’m very passionate. With Rob, I think I’m also not afraid to tell him when I don’t like something. He’s in a position where a lot of people could tell him they like something even if they don’t,” she says.
“I am always incredibly straightforward, I say it with compassion but I stick to my word and carry it through.”
Simon Cowell says The X Factor panel needed a shake-up and the new judges will do just that – and Sharon Osbourne will return to the judging panel for the live shows later in the series.
“What I love about Louis (Tomlinson), Robbie and Ayda is that they are all fans of the show in their own way, and of course Louis started out on the show,” says Simon.
“Robbie’s been a huge part of the show over the years, it’s how we became friends, and Ayda has been a revelation. She’s been brilliant.”
He adds: “Ayda has seen the music business from a different point of view so she brings a different perspective to the panel. I think she’s amazing.”
Meanwhile, presenter Dermot O’Leary admits he does not know what to expect from the husband and wife pair when the live shows begin.
Asked about the “chaos” the couple may bring when everything goes live, Dermot says: “I’m wondering how that’s going to work as well! I’m starting to think about it.
“They will probably end up being very naughty, but none of that bothers me.
“As long as I know where I’m going then chaos can happen and I’m happy to let it breathe.”