Robbie Williams has reached a major milestone in the UK music scene, surpassing The Beatles to claim the most number one albums in chart history. His latest release, Britpop, which dropped last Friday, marks the 16th number one of his solo career, which began in 1997 with Life Thru A Lens.
“This is unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable,” Williams told News. “I’ve always compared my success to stretching an elastic band from Stoke-on-Trent to the Moon. Now it’s orbiting Venus.” He also joked, “I feel like the Forrest Gump of pop.”
This contrasts sharply with the excesses of the 1990s, a period marked by substance abuse and mental health struggles.
“For a while, I couldn’t appreciate my achievements because of mental illness. Now I can pause, take a deep breath, and simply smile,” he said.
Critics have largely praised the album. The Guardian called it “a wayward yet winning trip to the 90s,” awarding four stars. Rolling Stone also gave four stars, noting Williams sounded “liberated” and “unrepentantly mad.” NME was slightly more cautious, calling it bold and fun but not necessarily unforgettable.
In total, Williams now boasts 21 number one albums, including his work with Take That. Only Paul McCartney of The Beatles has more overall, with 23 chart-toppers.
Despite breaking records, Williams credits his family for keeping him grounded. “I told my mother-in-law if I got another number one album, I’d have the most ever. My daughter quickly corrected me: ‘In the UK,’” he laughed.
Robbie Williams’ Solo Number One Albums:
Life Thru A Lens (1997), I’ve Been Expecting You (1998), Sing When You’re Winning (2000), Swing When You’re Winning (2001), Escapology (2002), Greatest Hits (2004), Intensive Care (2005), Rudebox (2006), In and Out of Consciousness (2010), Take the Crown (2012), Swings Both Ways (2013), The Heavy Entertainment Show (2016), The Christmas Present (2019), XXV (2022), Better Man: Original Soundtrack (2025), Britpop (2026)
The Beatles’ Number One Albums in the UK:
Please Please Me (1963), With The Beatles (1963), A Hard Day’s Night (1964), Beatles For Sale (1964), Help! (1965), Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Beatles – aka The White Album (1968), Abbey Road (1969), Let It Be (1970), The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl (1977), Live at the BBC (1994), Anthology 2 (1996), 1 (2000)
