Robbie Williams reveals autism diagnosis, calling it his 'get-out-of-jail-free card' for 'weird' behaviour

Diagnosis shared at Hopeium launch

Robbie Williams has publicly revealed that he has been diagnosed with autism, sharing the news during a question-and-answer session in London for the launch of the autumn-winter 2026 collection of his clothing brand Hopeium, held at Flannels. The 52-year-old British singer, already known to have spoken about ADHD and Tourette's syndrome, framed the diagnosis with characteristic humour and self-acceptance. He said he had only recently learned of it and welcomed the insight it gave him into his own behaviour.

'It explains so much'

Williams described the diagnosis as something he genuinely embraces. As reported by NME and the Daily Mail, he said he has ADHD and had just discovered he also has 'a bit of autism,' which he said he loves because it explains so much about himself. He called it his 'get-out-of-jail-free card' and said that for all the 'weird' things he does, he can now simply say, 'Sorry, I'm autistic.' The former Take That star has long been open about his mental health and neurodivergence, and this disclosure adds autism to a list that already includes ADHD and Tourette's.

Intrusive thoughts and creative focus

Williams spoke in detail about how ADHD affects his concentration, saying he can focus '1000 per cent' on a single thing that captures him but struggles with everything else, adding, 'Ask my kids.' He described his brain as 'incredibly creative' and said that creating images and funny things helps him avoid dwelling on fear. He gave a striking example of the intrusive thoughts he experiences, recounting a recent moment on a plane where he imagined having telekinesis and his intrusive thoughts telling the plane to crash. He called this 'the kind of level of insanity that I'm dealing with' and said it is better to train his brain toward creativity than worry about supernatural powers.

Previous disclosures and podcast appearance

In October 2025, Williams appeared on the podcast 'I'm ADHD! No You're Not,' presented by Paul Whitehouse and Dr. Mine Conkbayir, where he revealed he has Tourette's syndrome. He said it does not manifest in visible tics but as intrusive thoughts that surface in his mind without being expressed outwardly. He described himself as an 'Olympian at masking,' saying he projects bravado and smugness on stage while feeling the opposite inside. He also noted that even performing in stadiums full of fans expressing love, 'something in him' cannot fully absorb it. Eight years ago, in a BBC interview, he had already speculated that he might have Asperger's or autism, saying he knew he was on some part of the spectrum.

Career context

Williams rose to fame as the youngest member of Take That, the boyband that emerged in the 1990s. He left the group in 1995 over internal problems and launched a solo career in 1997, producing hits such as 'Angels,' 'Feel,' 'Rock DJ,' and 'Let Me Entertain You.' In January 2026, he released the album 'Britpop,' which surpassed the Beatles' record for the most number-one albums in the United Kingdom. A biographical film, 'Better Man,' was released the previous year. Williams is scheduled to perform at the Meo Kalorama festival in Portugal on 28 August.