Robbie Williams: World Cup gaffe was ‘the most me thing I’ve ever done’
By Sean O'Grady, Press Association Deputy Entertainment Editor
Robbie Williams has described his on-screen gaffe during the World Cup final as “the most me thing I’ve ever done”.
The singer, 52, got viewers talking when a small white object fell from his mouth and on to his microphone during a live TV interview.
He wiped the object away and then rubbed his face moments later, with the object getting stuck to his forehead.
Williams later confirmed it was a Nicorette mint in an Instagram video which went viral.
In his new post on Instagram, he shared a photo of himself from the day in a sparkly blue tracksuit alongside a photo of The Sopranos character Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri (Tony Sirico) after fans compared their looks.
Alongside the photos, he wrote: “To have a Nicorette fall out of my mouth during a live interview… and then stick to my forehead… is the most me thing I’ve ever done.
“I had absolutely no idea it was there until the following day.
“The fake apology has now had over 27 million views.
“The whole MintGate thing has reached 51 million people.”
Williams added that the comparisons to Paulie Walnuts were “magnificent”.
The star also reflected on the pressure of performing at the World Cup closing ceremony.
He said: “It wouldn’t feel right if I appeared on the world stage and absolutely nothing weird happened.
“One and a half billion people were watching.
“For someone whose nervous system is permanently convinced we’re moments away from disaster, I’m quite proud that none of it was visible on my face.
“Well… apart from the Nicorette.”
Williams then poked fun at claims he had been under the influence during his interview.
“’Remember when Robbie was off his nut at the World Cup?’
“I wasn’t.
“I’m not.
“And I haven’t been for a very long time.”
Williams told how, moments before the interview, he declared backstage that his performance with Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger had gone well because “no one died and I didn’t cause an international incident.”
He then agreed to do the interview which he was told wouldn’t “take long”.
The singer concluded the humorous post with: “I’m off to continue ageing in public.
“See you at the next misunderstanding.”
