Robbie Williams embarrassed over illness

The singer has recently rejoined his original Take That bandmates Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald for a reunion album and tour. He has spoken a lot about his decision to work with the group again and also his years as a soloist, including admitting he was struck down by a debilitating problem while publicising his eighth studio album Reality Killed the Video Star.

Robbie, 36, has refused to tell people what was taking its toll on him because he fears they would laugh.

"I had something that made me tired all the time - not as serious as ME,” he told British newspaper The Sun. "The reason I'm being guarded about it is because if I told you, people would go, 'Ha, ha.' But it really f**king affected me."

Jason has spoken out about his unhappiness in the way the Take That’s reunion with Robbie was handled. He has condemned the filming of the recording of album Progress, which is due out next week.

Songwriter Gary arranged for cameras to capture the special studio moment on tape, but Jason found it intrusive and would have preferred to enjoy being back in Robbie’s company without any intrusion.

"I wanted to enjoy Rob. I wanted to enjoy the reunion privately,” he said. "I didn't want me or any of us to be acting differently when there's cameras on. I didn't want it to be captured on cameras, but it was. Gutted."