LONDON (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — An already ugly year for Robbie Williams has just become a little uglier after UK High Court ordered the singer to apologize and pay unspecified damages to his former Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith over allegations that Williams accused Martin-Smith of theft in the lyrics of a song.
According to the London Times, the song, from William's most recent album Rudebox called "The '90s" insinuated that Martin-Smith had embezzled funds from the band.
"Robbie Williams wishes to make it clear to his fans, and the public at large, that he did not intend these lyrics to be taken at face value or as a serious statement by him of the views which he holds of Nigel Martin-Smith." said William's legal counsel David Sherborne told the court.
"Specifically, Robbie Williams did not intend to allege that Nigel Martin-Smith has ever stolen any funds from Take That or anyone."
Mr Sherborne added: "Robbie Williams wishes now to apologise publicly and unreservedly for the distress that the original publication of those lyrics caused to Nigel."
Martin-Smith and Williams had reportedly never been particularly friendly and Martin-Smith has long been eyed as the primary driving force behind William's departure from Take That which eventually resulted in a breach of contract suit against the singer.
The details of the settlement remain undisclosed by some observers have put the figure at close to a $1,000,000 dollars. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
