I was told by my manager to take the name ‘Robbie’ but I HATE it, reveals Robbie Williams

ROBBIE Williams says he was told by his manager to take the name “Robbie” but hated it because it sounded “cute”.

The star – real nickname Robert Williams – said he was horrified because he wanted to be “street and cool”.

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It happened when Robbie started his career with Take That at the age of 16.

Despite his reservations, he said being told he had to drop Rob or Robert ended up helping him because he saw Robbie as his alter ego.

Robbie, 48, said: “The name Robbie wasn’t my idea.

“The name was given to me by my manager.”

He said he was told, “OK, you’re not Robert anymore, you’re Robbie.”

Speaking on Radio 1’s Changes podcast, DJ Annie Macmanus added: “I hated it because it made me sound cute – and I didn’t want to sound cute.

“I wanted to be street and cool, and Robbie just wasn’t.”

The star said he now realizes another name helped him cope at the height of his career when the “order of the hour” was to “mangle, dehumanize, slander, tear down, order.” to kill (celebrities). beat them up”.

Robbie, who also revealed he will be playing himself in the biopic Better Man, said: “It was the best thing he’s ever done because Robbie Williams isn’t me.

“That person they were talking about, that they were going to beat up, that wasn’t me.”