Pop star Robbie Williams says he has been diagnosed with autism

Robbie Williams has said he has been diagnosed with autism, NME reported on August 14, speaking during a Q&A session in London. The pop star and former Take That member, who has previously spoken about having ADHD, called the diagnosis something he loves because it explains so much, describing it as his get-out-of-jail-free card.

Williams described his ADHD as letting him concentrate completely on one thing, usually making images or funny content, while struggling with almost everything else, and said his brain stays creative even about things that would otherwise worry him. He has spoken in the past about anxiety, depression and what he has called inside Tourette's, a form of intrusive thinking.

Williams has described how his neurodivergence shapes social situations before he even realizes it. Speaking to NME in 2024, he said he does not pick up on conversational cues until a comment has already landed badly, then catches himself: "Did I do a thing?"

The diagnosis follows Williams' latest album, Britpop, released in January, which made him the artist with the most UK number one albums, passing The Beatles' longstanding record. He has since announced a pair of outdoor UK and Ireland shows for next summer, timed just after Glastonbury 2027, which has fed speculation about a possible appearance there; Williams has said before that he believes he would "slaughter" the festival's Legends Slot if he were ever booked for it.