Robbie Williams says he delayed new album to avoid Taylor Swift's

Robbie Williams spoke to BBC Radio 1's Rickie, Melvin & Charlie as he did a special performance in the Live Lounge

If Robbie Williams had his way, you'd have heard his next album already.

The singer claims he pushed back Britpop after learning its original release date would clash with Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl.

He told BBC Radio 1 hosts Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges he was determined to claim a record 16th UK number one album.

Robbie is currently tied with The Beatles on 15, something he said he "desperately" wants to better.

'I'm really competitive'

It's unclear why Robbie is holding off on sharing Britpop until February, but Taylor's latest album soared straight to number one on the Official Album Chart.

Taylor's dominance suggests the former Take That singer was right to stay out of her path if he wants to top the chart again.

"I'm still a big deal but I can't compete with that one," joked the 51-year-old.

"So I've shifted it. I've moved it a little bit."

He says being in-line to overtake a record shared with The Beatles is surreal.

"It's an alternative reality that I step into when I think about my career and I think about that particular record," he said.

"But I'll take it. Don't get me wrong. I'm really competitive, too, which is why I moved the album.

"I desperately want that thing."

Robbie Williams performed three songs in Radio 1's Live Lounge including a cover of Wet Leg's Chaise Longue

Robbie visited Radio 1 for its Live Lounge Month and performed Old Before I Die from his 1997 debut album.

It was followed by new single Pretty Face and a cover of Wet Leg's Chaise Longue - a choice he says reminded him of how music made him feel as a child.

"Every now and again, my algorithm pops up with something that makes me feel like I'm 14 again," he said.

"Wet Leg make me feel really, really excited.

"We used to have a magazine called Smash Hits. It used to have the lyrics to songs.

"I'm 51 and a song will come on the radio and it makes me want to get out my Smash Hits magazine and go and learn the lyrics.

"I learnt all the lyrics to this one."

'It feels like a celebration'

Robbie's plans for 2026 go beyond releasing his album on February 6.

He will swap arenas and stadiums for smaller venues across the UK, playing more intimate gigs including in Liverpool, London and Wolverhampton.

"It's a few smaller gigs for me, out of choice," he told Radio 1.

"I'm doing my first album from beginning to end and then I'm going to do my new album."

The Angels singer says he wants fans to celebrate the start of his career and where he is now in one gig.

"You know when you have an album and you absolutely and utterly adore it and it's your thing?

"There are some people out there who feel that about [1997's Life Thru A Lens]," he said.

"Me witnessing people enjoying that and me knowing what they feel like feels like a celebration.

"I can't wait to do that."

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