Robbie Williams shares devastating update on parents' health battle in emotional post
As the Something Beautiful icon, 51, continues his Britpop stadium tour, he has also been checking in and helping look after the family alongside wife, Ayda Field, 46.
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His beloved mum, Janet, has dementia which has deteriorated her memory to the point that she struggles to recognise him, while his dad Pete – who he credits in his movie for his love of music and performance – has Parkinson's disease which leaves him unable to leave the house.
On top of it all, Ayda's mother, Gwen, is battling cervical cancer, Lupus and Parkinson's at the same time.
In a new post on Instagram, Robbie posted a long Q+A about himself and his family's situation - noting there were parts of the tour that he loved – crediting his band and support act Lottery Winners for bringing 'energy' he enjoys, as well as some of his more notable concerts so far.
But then he added that he's been fighting off a bug across the past two weeks, and that life at home is incredibly tough.
'Things at home with my parents? VERY precarious right now,' he then wrote.
'It's real world stuff that deeply affects me and my wife. And if my wife is affected, you can bet I am. So the maths are: Virus + ill parents + stadium tour.'
'Every single moment of every single day is in preparation for those 2+ hours on stage. Outside of that? I have nothing',' he said.
'There is nothing to offer. I don't mind stating to those around me, I need protecting. And in return I protect them'.
Despite this, he added a promise that he would be 'on top of his game' during the shows, though noted: 'Outside of that - I have nothing to offer or give, for the time being.'
His brutally honest post comes after Robbie paid tribute to his family on stage during his tour, admitting on stage that his mum no longer knows who he is and he 'isn't ready for it'.
He told the crowd: 'My mother has dementia and she doesn't know who I am anymore. She doesn't know where she is anymore. My dad has Parkinson's and he can't leave the house.
'He used to sing with me every night on stage, he would come out, steal the show and be charming and then wander backstage for a glass of red wine. Now he can't leave the house.
'My mother-in-law, who I absolutely worship and adore, has three illnesses. She's for lupus, Parkinson's and cancer. She is the most courageous lady and she is fighting, fighting, fighting.'
He added: "It's a strange place to be, this place we find ourselves, 51 years old, it's very strange to be the grown up.
"I'm not ready for it."
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