The heartbreaking reason Robbie Williams struggled on stage during his New Year’s Eve concert in Sydney

Robbie Williams has made the painful admission that he struggled on stage during his New Year’s Eve concert in Sydney on Tuesday.

The British megastar, 50, admitted he was struggling with mental health “demons” as he performed on stage in front of thousands of fans, almost interrupting his show.

‘I battled anxiety and mental health demons. Yes, the other day I was on stage on TV. I had a cold,” Robbie told the newspaper Herald Sun.

The singer added that he was taking medication for his cold and that, combined with his ongoing mental health battle, made him feel very vulnerable.

‘In addition to a cold, I also had jet lag. Colds plus jet lag plus anxiety and mental illness is a very powerful combination.

‘I noticed that I felt crazy when I stepped on stage in front of eleven million viewers. I also had to keep it together and not let what was happening inside happen.”

He added that his “demon” of insecurity began to play with his mind and he worried about whether he would be able to perform to the best of his ability.

‘The demons now are: ‘Twitter is going to think I’m on stage drinking coke.’ Not only do I look crazy, I feel crazy too.

‘While I am having a good time, and continue to do so, I am also experiencing fear and all the mean comments that are out there in the internet world.’

Fortunately, Robbie managed to hold himself together and gave his many fans a show to remember.

Elsewhere during the concert, Robbie took a not-so-subtle potshot at an audience member.

The former Take That star headlined the city’s New Year celebration, which aired on ABC.

Robbie’s stellar performance was further marred by an awkward exchange with an audience member.

After welcoming the crowd with his chart-topping Let Me Entertain You and Wilson Pickett’s Land of 1000 Dances, Robbie and his 13-piece backing band launched into his 2002 song Me and My Monkey.

The British megastar, 50, admitted he was struggling with mental health ‘demons’ as he performed on stage in front of thousands of fans, almost interrupting his show

Fortunately, Robbie managed to hold himself together and gave his many fans a show to remember

Robbie seemingly invited the audience to sing along, but apparently wasn’t particularly impressed with a reveler’s rhythmic prowess.

The singer fell awkwardly silent before chastising the audience member for their lack of timing.

“You let me come in at the wrong place,” Robbie said.

‘Can you stop writing the lyrics to the song, then I don’t misunderstand.’

The camera then cut to a close-up of Robbie, who sported an expression that suggested he was more than a little miffed at the audience member.

“Now, okay?” Robbie gave strict instructions before continuing with the song.

Robbie’s eight-song set was packed with some of his biggest hits, such as Feel, Better Man and Rock DJ.

He also wowed the audience with a stirring rendition of John Farnham classic You’re The Voice, before closing out 2024 with his 2002 ballad Angels.

“Aussie, Aussie, Aussie,” Robbie sang during the song’s bridge, with the crowd responding with the obligatory, “Oi, Oi, Oi.”

The British pop superstar missed no opportunity to promote his new documentary, Better Man, which came out at a shameless plug midset.

It was before his performance of Better Man that Robbie gave a rave review of his own film of the same name.

‘Some critics are calling it the film of the century! Not my words, just because I just made that up,” he told the crowd.

Robbie then asked if anyone had seen the film yet and explained that it was shot in Australia.

He even changed some of the lyrics to Better Man, singing, “So go watch my movie, it’s full of drugs and sex, I got my own biopic, I’m not even dead.”