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Robbie Williams: I was 24 hours from death
Last updated at 09:22am on 08.10.09Robbie Williams admitted today he was only 24 hours away from dying from his addiction to prescription drugs.
Nearly died: The star has admitted he was close to death from prescription drugs addiction
The pop star revealed his condition became so bad, he didn't care whether he lived or died and he was only saved by a stint in rehab.
Williams said he took “heart-stopping” quantities of prescription drugs including Vicodin, Adderall and Sativa as well as speed, ecstasy, acid, heroin and cocaine while living in the US.
He said: “It was the American addiction. Prescription drugs. At the time, you don't give a shit if you pop your clogs. I must have been very, very close.”
The star checked into rehab on his 33rd birthday in 2007 after his management team arrived at his home to find him slipping in and out of consciousness after a “massive blow up” and flew him for treatment.
He said: “I might have been a couple of days or 24 hours from dying. I was on this plane kicking the seats, I was so angry with myself that I had let myself get into that place again.”
Williams has been a teetotaler for ten years after suffering a drink problem when a member of Take That and admitted he feared he would die in the same manner as Michael Jackson and Heath Ledger.
“I was on my way out. It wasn't the best period of my life. You see Anna Nicole Smith goes off - pills. Michael Jackson goes off - pills. And Heath Ledger. I can relate to all of that,” he said.
Williams, 35, is about to release his eighth studio album Reality Killed the Video Star which includes a song Morning Sun - inspired by Jackson's death.
“I thought it was really sad. He ran out of dough and had to go on tour. He wasn't fit enough to do it, didn't turn up for rehearsals, then managed to wean himself off the drugs briefly.
“Got to rehearsals, was doing OK and then had a massive, massive relapse and off he went.”
Williams is also appearing on the X Factor on Saturday when he is acting as a mentor for the contestants in the reality TV show.
He said: “I'm still alive and I'll be able to perform at the X Factor and maybe do a good job. Maybe I am a good example, who knows?”
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Reader views (18)
Another waste of a day then Robbie!!!!!!1!
- Mick, New York
Its sad to see these young,rich celebs going on and on about how stressful their lives are,while most of us are on £6 an hour with bills rocketing!!
- Robert Williams, Brighton,U.K.
Me thinks someone has been reading up on drugs on t'net!
talks about "sativa being like LSD for 5 mins"!! er no Sativa is a kind of weed!
think you mean salvia?
at least if your going to pretend to be on drugs get the facts right!
dont believe for a second that hes done heroin either!! ..how ridiculously sad is this guy... and those that believe what he says!
- Gazza, london
Williams..RUBISH!!!! bad influence to his fans if hes got any left.
- Kc, London Boy
Oh good grief, that is sure to mean a book deal, TV interviews etc etc. are on the cards. He must have run out of money.
- Ljd, Farnham
Williams career comes a poor second to watching paint dry,or third if you enjoy pulling your own fingernails out with pliers !!
- General Lee Wright, Boredom on sea, Communist Britain.
I like Robbie Williams but I do wish he would change the record a bit. That kind of self-pity isn't fashionable any more, it's why John Lennon is less feted than Paul McCartney these days.
Of course when you're in a band it's easier to promote yourself via a bit of larky banter. As a solo artist you're meant to come up with something profound and soul searching.
- Clive, London
Good example my backside! A good example would be the one who says NO to drugs and over indulgence in drink. Look at Kim Wilde, an example of unfortunately too few public entertainers who could be called a good example.
Go get a job.
- Zznhl, London
Addicted to prescription drugs?.....jeez he told me he was loving angels instead!....young people use the strangest jargon these days...
- Paddy, London
So Robbie "I'm rich beyond my wildest dreams!!!" Williams is back and still trying to make us all feel sorry for him. The 'poor me' rehab stories didn't work last time so give it up!
- Paul, London
The bore is back! Hopefully a new generation will not be suckered into the hype.
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London
Rubbish album to promote? Pretend you've got a personality.
- John Entwistle, Hertford, England
And guess who's got another album to plug! And a token "Jacko tribute" track to guarantee sales!
- David, N10
Aintchasick of them? "Poor me" celebrities bleating on about their problems with drugs and alcohol. Fed up to the back teeth hearing about it. Buck up !
- Miles, London, England
No talent, had loads of luck (which is now deserting him)
- Mc, London
ME, Me, Me
- Dc, London
HE GETS MORE LIKE JORDON EVERY DAY HE WOULD TELL ANY STORY TO GET IN THE PAPERS.WITH HIS CAREER DOWN THE TOILET NO WONDER HES DESPERATE TO GET BACK WITH TAKE THAT ,THEY MUST BE MAD TO HAVE HIM BACK
- Anon, leicestershire
Maybe he remembered he wanted to be old before he dies.
- Steve, London
