Robbie Williams reveals why he finally agreed to The X Factor after years of offers
Simon Cowell has wanted him for ages
Last updated 29th Aug 2018
The casting of Robbie Williams to be a new judge on The X Factor's panel did not come as a huge shock to fans of the show. Although it was a surprise as he's not done it before, it made COMPLETE sense as Robbie is known for his outspoken nature and would be PERFECT for the occasionally-brutal talent search.
But after it was revealed that Simon Cowell had been trying for YEARS to get him on the show, everyone was left wondering what had made him change his mind and agree to be on the panel.
Now, 44-year-old Robbie has revealed that there was one major thing that sparked his U-turn for the show.
Speaking in an interview on Lorraine which will air this Friday (31st August), Robbie said, "Genuinely it was the Ayda card. You know, I thought about doing it often but I have been really busy with my own career.
"Then Ayda got a call in the car from Nigel the producer of the show and said, 'Do you think Rob will do it if you do it too?' And instantly, I was like that makes complete sense - I’m totally in.
"Do you know the amazing thing is since starting to do the show - I can’t believe I haven’t done it before!"
Check out these famous artists who started their careers on reality TV shows...
Beyoncé
She's one of the world's biggest superstars but Beyonce first found fame on TV show Star Search back in 1993.
Beyonce enjoyed massive success alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams in girl band Destiny's Child but made a name for herself with her massive solo singles.
One Direction
They are one of the biggest bands in the world but we wouldn't have One Direction if it wasn't thanks to The X Factor.
Harry, Louis, Niall, Liam and Zayn all auditioned for the show as solo artists but were later put together in a group. Despite finishing third in 2010, the band went on to achieve massive success.
They went on to have five albums, four world tours and sold millions of records with hits such as 'Best Song Ever' and 'What Makes You Beautiful'.
After Zayn Malik announced his departure, the band started their hiatus in January 2016 and have all gone on to release solo material.
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud were first created when they appeared on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.
With Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle all winning a place in the band, the group went on to achieve their debut number one with the track 'Sound Of The Underground'.
Girls Aloud went on to achieve massive success in the UK and scored a record 20 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK Charts.
In 2013 the band announced their split after their final UK tour.
Little Mix
Little Mix made history in 2011 when they became the first ever band to win The X Factor.
Perrie, Jesy, Jade and Leigh-Anne released the track 'Cannonball' as their winners' single before going on to have hits such as 'Wings', 'No More Sad Songs' and 'Power'.
After a number of massive sell-out tours, the band are currently working on their fifth studio album and have just finished their 'Summer Hits Tour' in the UK.
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen enjoyed massive success with her hit single 'Call Me Maybe' in 2012 but before that she came third on Canadian Idol.
After getting her break with 'Call Me Maybe', Carly went on to have hits such as 'I Really Like You' and 'Run Away With Me'.
Britney Spears
Britney appeared on Star Search at the age of just 11!
She went on to release her first two albums in 1999 and 2000 which turned out to be international successes.
After a hiatus away from music due to personal issues, Britney returned with a bang with hits such as 'Womanizer', 'Piece Of Me' and 'If You Seek Amy'.
Britney now has a Las Vegas residency for her 'Piece Of Me' show Planet Hollywood.
Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert shot to fame when he finished in second place on American Idol back in 2009.
The singer went on to release his debut album 'For You Entertainment' and has since sold over 5 million records to date.
In the past few years Adam has been touring as the lead vocalist with rock band Queen.
Fifth Harmony
American girl band Fifth Harmony started their success when they finished third on The X Factor USA back in 2012.
The band signed to Syco Records and enjoyed a number of hits both in the UK and USA including 'Work From Home' and 'Worth It'.
In 2017 Camilla Cabello announced she had left the band to focus on her solo caree, and in March 2018 the group revealed they were going on a hiatus.
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera appeared on Star Search as a youngster back in 1990.
It wasn't until 1999 when the singer really made waves in the music industry with hits including 'Genie In The Bottle' and 'What A Girl Wants'.
Throughout the noughties Christina had some massive hits such as 'Dirrty', 'Beautiful' and 'Hurt' and later went on to star in a number of movies such as Burlesque.
The singer now has five Grammy Awards, has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and appears on The Voice as a mentor.
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks became American Idol's youngest ever winner when she won over competition at the age of just 17 in 2006.
The singer has since enjoyed massive success with her hits including 'Tattoo', 'Battlefield' and her 'No Air' debut with Chris Brown.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson shot to fame in 2002 when she became the first winner of American Idol.
Kelly has now released seven albums to date including the likes of 'Breakaway', 'Stronger' and her 2015 album 'Piece By Piece'.
Jennifer Hudson
Despite her amazing success, Jennifer unbelievably only finished 7th on American Idol back in 2004.
She's since went on to appear in hit movie Dreamgirls, released three studio albums and became a mentor on TV show The Voice UK.
Justin Timberlake
Mr Timberlake appeared on TV show Star Search in 1992 singing a country song in his audition.
He's come a long way since then! In the late 1990s Justin became one of the lead vocalists in boyband NSYNC.
He then went solo and achieved massive success with hits such as 'Cry Me A River', 'Rock Your Body' and 'Sexy Back'.
In 2016 Justin voiced a character for hit film Trolls and is set to return for the sequel in 2021. The singer also released his amazing new music in early 2018.
Nicole Scherzinger
She enjoyed massive success in The Pussycat Dolls but before that Nicole Scherzinger appeared on Popstars in 2001.
It was her time in girl band The Pussycat Dolls which really started her success. The band became one of the world's biggest selling girl bands with hits such as 'Don't Cha' and 'Jai Ho'.
Nicole later left the band and has enjoyed a solo career. The singer is also a judge on The X Factor, although rumours are suggesting she won't be returning for the 2018 series.
Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis won a £1 million recording contract with Simon Cowell when she won the third series of The X Factor in 2006.
Leona went on to have five successful albums and has completed three tours to date.
In 2016 Leona made her Broadway debut as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats.
Susan Boyle
Susan Boyle first shot to fame when she appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2009.
After shocking audiences and the judging panel with her incredible rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream', Susan went on to finish in second place behind Diversity.
This was just the start for the Scottish singer as she went on to achieve massive success, selling millions of records worldwide.
He also admitted to Metro.co.uk that doing The X Factor was more fun than any other aspect of his career, which almost spans three decades.
He confessed, "It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in showbusiness hands down, full stop. I feel like I’ve found a new lease of life, I love working with my wife and it’s just fun. It’s brought a whole lot of fun back to my job."