Robbie Williams: 'I was a recluse'

Robbie Williams has revealed that he became a recluse before rejoining Take That.

The singer, who is gearing up to release his first album with the band in 15 years, said that he almost pulled out of the reunion after suffering from severe toothache.

"I wasn't in the best frame of mind to meet anybody, let alone the band I used to be in," he told Q Magazine.

"I was a hermit. I woke up that day with throbbing toothache. I'd taken some Vicodin and I was pretty monged. It was my missus who convinced me I should go."

Fellow bandmate Jason Orange also told the magazine that he almost quit the band because he did not feel like he had any creative input.

He revealed: "My biggest insecurity has always been what I contribute. I don't write music or understand it like they all do.

"I was chosen for my dancing and we dance less now. So I've struggled with it. Then on better days I think: 'These bastards couldn't do it without me.'"

That That release new album Progress on November 22.