Robbie Williams flies in amid rumours

Quoted from: http://tonight.co.za

'March 29, 2006

By Sally Scott

United Kingdom mega pop star Robbie Williams arrived in South Africa yesterday and is in Cape Town getting ready for his three-city tour, which starts in Durban at the Absa Stadium on Monday, April 10.

Needless to say, with the tour only two weeks away, Robbie Williams fever is hotting up in KZN with the rumour wheel twirling away with all sorts tales in some newspapers and on some radio stations, in particular pertaining to Williams's so-called demands for his South African tour.

A newspaper story earlier this week stated that Williams had said he would not have time to meet Nelson Mandela - most overseas celebs usually have meeting Mandela on top of their wish list.

Asked for comment, Big Concerts marketing manager Michael Anetakis told the Daily News he was misquoted.

"I was asked if Robbie was going to meet with Mandela while he was in South Africa, to which I answered 'not at this stage but depending on if his schedule allows for it I am sure he will ask us to set this up

As for demands for luxuries in his dressing room, Williams, who would be the first to admit that he is a recovering boozer of note, has stipulated simply that there must be no alcohol in his room, although the band, who have a separate dressing room, will have wine and some champagne.

Says Anetakis: "I have looked through his rider and there is nothing out of the ordinary on his dressing room requirements. Everything asked for are items that are necessities that any one of us would ask for in a dressing room."

Durban is the only venue in the world not to have sold out tickets for the Robbie Williams tour. Not that there are many left now - a few hundred only.

Meanwhile, six German couples, who could not buy tickets for Williams's concert in their own country, but managed to nab some for the Durban leg, are flying in to see the man rock this city.

So, word so far from those in the know - Williams is very down to earth and not big on demands.'