Bold claim: Robbie Williams has finally laid his long-running feud with Gary Barlow to rest, publicly apologizing during a heartfelt moment at his War Child concert. And yes, he spoke plainly about past mistakes that soured their relationship.
During an intimate show at Manchester’s Aviva Studios, Robbie referenced the recent Take That Netflix documentary, using the moment to acknowledge how his behavior once hurt Gary, as well as fellow bandmates Howard Donald and Mark Owen. The history between the two began when Robbie left Take That at the height of their fame in 1995 to pursue a solo career, a decision that sparked years of public sparring and affected Gary’s confidence deeply.
For a while, the pair managed a fragile truce—enough to reunite for a 2010 tour and album—but lingering questions about their friendship persisted. Onstage tonight, Robbie took responsibility for his past conduct and admitted he had been out of line at times with Gary and the others.
“I have to say I was a bit of a word you can’t say on air in the second episode,” he told the audience, alluding to the documentary. “I felt really bad. I felt awful about it. I’d been horrible to Gary, to Mark, to Howard, and I replayed it in my mind for days. I kept thinking I needed to apologise again.” He then added, with warmth, that he now genuinely loves Gary and that the two have found a new level of respect—though he joked that there are only so many apologies one person can offer.
In a moment that touched fans, Robbie revisited his 90s track Ego A Go Go, which was reportedly written about Gary and once labeled as a “horrible song” in hindsight. The line of the chorus—telling a story of solo success, fading memories, and lingering tensions—was referenced as part of his reflection on their complicated history.
A prior listen to the band rehearsing the track had given Robbie a moment of clarity. He recalled thinking, while watching their dynamic, that no one had ever left a boyband and admitted, in his own words, that he had also been difficult. This honesty marked a turning point in how he views their relationship today.
The Netflix three-part docuseries reveals Gary’s own struggles, including bulimia, which surfaced after Take That’s split in 1996 and amid their rivalry with Robbie. Archival clips show Robbie’s defense of his stance, including harsh words about Gary’s place in the group and his own desire to “crush” the memory of Take That. Gary has described watching these moments at the premiere as emotionally challenging but ultimately revealing, noting that revisiting the past brought a necessary release of tension that had built up for years.
Gary described the emotional impact of revisiting their history at the Battersea Power Station premiere, explaining that the reunion conversations eventually helped him feel lighter and less burdened by old grievances. He emphasized that, while the past was painful, the path forward with Robbie felt clearer after open, candid discussions.
Looking back at Take That’s revival in 2011, Robbie emphasized the healing process: he needed Gary to listen to his truth, and Gary acknowledged that some tensions centered on perceptions of support for songwriters and personal appearances. A playful but telling moment occurred when Gary admitted he once called Robbie “Blobby,” an offhand jab he regrets.
In roughly a 25-minute breakthrough, Robbie and Gary resolved issues that had haunted them for years, signaling a new chapter built on accountability, forgiveness, and a renewed sense of mutual respect. The reconciliation story invites fans to consider how public feuds can be mended through honesty, apology, and shared experiences that transcend past divisions.
