Robbie Williams has called for the music industry to create a ‘support group for young stars struggling with fame’ after the tragic death of Liam Payne last month.
The Take That star, 50, said he hoped something would be done in Liam’s name to ‘protect people’ as he opened up about his own difficulties navigating fame at a young age.
Liam – who was laid to rest at St Mary’s Church in Amersham on Wednesday – died after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Robbie called for mental health awareness and said he firmly believes the music industry needs a ‘think tank of empathetic and compassionate creatives’ claiming many young musician’s ‘don’t make it to the other end’.
Reflecting on living himself the spotlight since he was 16, he told The Express: ‘If you are following the story closely, we are beginning to understand, maybe on a subconscious level more than conscious level, that fame isn’t a fix-all.
Robbie Williams, 50, has called for the music industry to create a ‘support group for young stars struggling with fame’ after the tragic death of Liam Payne last month
Liam – who was laid to rest at St Mary’s Church in Amersham on Wednesday – died after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, aged just 31 (pictured in 2016)
Robbie called for mental health awareness and said he firmly believes the industry needs a ‘think tank of empathetic and compassionate creatives’ (pictured on the X Factor in 2010)
‘Some are lucky to get through to the other end but a lot don’t.
‘I would hope that something is done in Liam’s name to protect people, whatever that means.’
The pop icon didn’t shy away from bluntly admitting he has not shaken all his insecurities and will never grow ‘a thick skin’ because it simply ‘hurts less’.
Robbie previously said he still had his demons when he was Liam’s age and always thought he would fall victim to his own mental health battles.
The Let Me Entertain you hitmaker also shared a sweet a text message exchanged between the pair, after first meeting when he mentored One Direction on the X Factor in 2010.
In his 2023 Netflix documentary, Robbie reflecting on his ‘insane’ fame at the height of his career resulting in a ‘nervous, mental breakdown in front of thousands of people’.
From 2006 to 2009, Williams battled agoraphobia. The social anxiety disorder left him housebound for three years.
Reflecting on living himself the spotlight since he was 16, he said: ‘If you are following the story closely, we are beginning to understand, fame isn’t a fix’ (pictured in 1996)
In the past Robbie has been very open about his ongoing battle with mental illness and his history of depression and anxiety (Robbie pictured 1997)
He has previously revealed he went into rehab in 2007 after taking speed, acid, heroin, cocaine and ‘heart-stopping’ amounts of prescription drugs.
Liam was equally outspoken about how the global fame of One Direction changed his life and affected his relationship with drugs and alcohol, once admitting: ‘I don’t know if I’ve hit rock bottom yet.’
Speaking to Stephen Bartlett on the Diary Of The CEO Podcast in 2021, Liam, admitted: ‘I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I’m very good at hiding it’.
‘I don’t even know if I have hit it yet. I can either make that choice now and pick my last moment as my rock bottom or I can make a whole new low.’
He admitted he had suffered for years with ‘social anxiety’ and ‘stress’ from being famous, and discussed the pressure his mental health was under while not having the freedom to go anywhere as a boyband member.
The Wolverhampton teenager first auditioned for the X Factor aged 14 before returning two years later when One Direction was formed.
It comes after it emerged that Robbie and Nicole Scherzinger reportedly reached out to Liam’s family after being unable to attend the One Direction star’s funeral.
Many stars were seen attending Liam’s moving ceremony, including his One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan, as well as Simon Cowell, James Corden and his ex Cheryl.
The Sun has reported that both Robbie and Nicole were unable to make the service, but both reached out to Liam’s family and sent flowers instead.
It comes after it emerged that Robbie and Nicole Scherzinger reportedly reached out to Liam’s family after being unable to attend the One Direction star’s funeral
Nicole had also written on social media that she spent time with Liam just weeks before his death, sharing a snap of their meeting
Following the news of Liam’s death on October 16, Robbie was among many stars who took to social media to pay tribute.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you. I will ”miss you” my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.’
Nicole had also written on social media that she spent time with Liam just weeks before his death, writing: ‘Dear Liam, I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago.’