Robbie Williams gives up on cracking the US - and maybe pop altogether

Despite being on the verge of releasing his new single and album, Robbie Williams has hinted he wants to escape the “pop machine”.

He said recently: “I’ve got to take the view over the next 18 months and see if I want to be part of the machine any more, because I don’t see me singing again.”

He’s also realised he’ll never be a big star in the US and after failing to succeed in the past, he’s not even releasing his new album over there this time: “They’re not having it, I’m not releasing it there.”

“The only way an album of mine is going to be in the States is if I leave it there or leave it in Tower Records. I’ll go with a bunch and just leave them.”