Robbie Williams was joined by his former Take That band mates as he received the prestigious Brits Icon Award in London.
The reunion was an unexpected treat for fans at London’s Troxy mid-way through a one-off gig to celebrate Williams winning the prestigious gong.
Williams gave fans little warning before his old band-mates appeared alongside him to rapturous applause, performing crowd favourite Back For Good.
The special guests then left the stage, only to return soon after and present Williams with the award. It came as Williams, who has enjoyed solo success after walking out on the boy band in 1995, announced a 2017 European tour.
The chart-topping singer will play 29 shows in 18 countries – and admitted he would love to add a Glastonbury slot to the schedule.
Williams, who performed at one of the wettest festivals in Worthy Farm’s history in 1998, said: “If they ask me I would do it but I don’t think it’s going to be happening next year.
“I would love to do Glastonbury again. I would like my moment on the Pyramid Stage in front of a record-breaking amount of people please.”
He will kick off his tour at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on June 2 with synth duo Erasure joining him on tour as special guests.
Williams’s tour will support his new album – Heavy Entertainment Show – and the singer said he was still working on producing the “wows” for the concerts, including getting his collaborators to come and perform with him.
He said: “If Rufus [Wainwright] or John Grant or Ed Sheeran is around when I’m around I would like them to come and sing with me then. We will see.”
Speaking of the award, previously given to Sir Elton John and David Bowie, Williams said: “Elton, David and then this chav from Stoke-on-Trent. I’m glad it’s me, I’m glad it’s not going somewhere else.
“The other people were absolute legends and icons. I kind of have mixed feelings about receiving it. My mum is really buoyed about it, she’s got her chest puffed out.”
Asked at a press conference at London’s Savoy Hotel whether he might reunite with the band as a surprise when they play in Manchester next year, he added: “If I did it wouldn’t be a surprise, it might happen, who knows?
“But right now, I don’t think so. A reunion at some point, definitely, but we just couldn’t get our diaries to work in the next 12 months.”