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EXCLUSIVE: THE GREAT ROBBIE RIP-OFF
By Eva Simpson And Tom Bryant
Tom.Bryant@Mirror.Co.Uk 31/10/2007
Robbie Williams has been ripped off by so-called friends for more than £200,000, it was revealed yesterday.
He was persuaded to part with the cash after two mates begged for help in setting up a fashion label in New York.
But the dodgy duo blew the cash on partying instead. They were among dozens of hangers-on surrounding Robbie's LA Vale football team.
Many use the Stoke-born singer's Hollywood mansion as a 24-hour crash-pad. It was only when his closest pals intervened and told him he was being taken for a ride that 33-year-old Robbie kicked them out.
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A source close to the star said: "At best Rob was being used, at worst, he was being conned. These so-called friends have preyed on his hospitality and good nature."
The situation came to a head last weekend when Robbie - who battles daily with his drink and drugs demons - finally confronted his house guests.
A huge row row broke out which ended only when he threatened to call cops.
The group, including the two rip-off merchants, left his house. Robbie has now disbanded his soccer team. The source said: "It was as if the penny had finally dropped and Robbie realised he was being taken for a mug.
"There was a screaming row between him and several people. He accused them all of taking advantage.
"He ordered them all out of his house and told them not to come back.
"But it was when he disbanded the team that everyone became convinced he meant business.
"It's very much his pride and joy. They all disappeared pretty sharpish."
Rob's mansion has been open house to the LA Vale team as well as their friends.
On his website, Robbie often posts images of his footie pals chilling out, including bizarre male bonding rituals in the Jacuzzi.
The singer, who "auditioned" players for the team, has spoken in the past about the dozens of people descending upon his home He said: "The house is quite big and a bit grand, but it's comfortable and people feel they can put their feet up and chill out, which is good for me.
"I've been fortunate because we've been together a while now. There's no nails sticking out that need hammering down. They're fond of me and I'm fond of them."
But he also hinted at the strange set-up, saying of his team-mates: "I've always wanted to be a member of a gang. So, really, I've bought a gang."
Yet while Robbie has so far revelled in the almost constant company, his inner sanctum believe many of the group had over-stayed their welcome.
One said: "Robbie's a perfect host and is more than willing to throw open his doors to everyone in the team and their pals. But t's got to the point where people have been staying over for extended periods of time and clearly taking advantage of him. Rob's finally had enough and it's proved to be a massive wake-up call."
The sorry episode offers an intriguing insight into the weird world that is Robbie Williams's American adventure.
Moving into the six-bedroom, ninebathroom Beverly Hills mansion six years ago, he had dreams of cracking the US.
But things soon turned sour for him. The American public failed to "get" the singer's Britishness and his "cheeky chappie" persona began to crack.
To compound his misery, his last album, Rudebox, was panned by critics and a 14-country world tour left him exhausted. He became hooked on anti-depressants and sought treatment in rehab.
A source said: "In contrast to the scores of so-called friends he has now, he became reclusive. He would rather spend time on his own, rarely left the house and preferred the company of his dogs instead."
The paranoid star claimed he wanted to "disappear" from public life.
He said at the time: "I feel I have overstayed my welcome a bit. I enjoyed tremendous success for 10 years and now it's time for the Williams to go away in people's minds."
Nearly a year later and the situation could hardly be more different.
Rob's life is a whirl of activity again - from late nights out clubbing to jogging in the Hollywood Hills.
He's also been buying art works, including several by British street artist Banksy.
But pals say it's the football team - his pride and joy - that has brought about his re-emergence from self-imposed exile.
As player-manager, Robbie trained with the team for up to three hours a day on a pitch in the grounds of his home.
A source said: "He's come out of his shell since the football team has taken off. He's found himself the centre of everything with everyone clamouring for his attention."
Another friend said: "Robbie wants to be everyone's friend and on this occasion, people have taken advantage. He has up to 20 people in his house at a time and everyone jokes that he's the perfect host
"But what were fun times to begin with have started to take their toll. Rob's become a bit jaded by the whole situation and has started putting on a bit of weight."
A spokesman for the singer declined to comment. But an aide insisted: "He agreed to give the money but had a change of heart and that's what the row was about."
La frequenza della voce di Michael, quando è lui, arriva dritta al cuore.
