Robbie Williams' haunted house

Robbie Williams may have been welcomed back into the Take That fold, but that doesn't mean he's left behind all of the eccentric traits that marked his late '00s Los Angeles hiatus.

The Stoke-on-Trent-born crooner, who previously revealed an interest in UFOs and took part in a Radio 4 documentary on the subject, currently hosts a paranormal house guest at his Mulholland Drive pad at least.

Williams and his wife Ayda Field apparently share their LA mansion with a ghost named Bertie -- not that the stars have ever laid eyes on their spooky squatter. "The dogs can see it," explains the inevitable "pal".

With only an innate sense of their otherwordly occupant -- and the presumably inconclusive descriptions provided by their dogs -- to go on, Williams and Field have had to get a little creative in picturing the presence. "They believe it's a man from the beginning of the 20th Century," reports the pal. "Rob likes to imagine him in a suit holding a martini glass."

Williams will bid a temporary farewell to Bertie in May when he embarks on a record-setting UK tour with his reunited Take That bandmates. The trek kicks off on 27 May in Sunderland.

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Robbie Williams The Musical

A musical set around the life of Take That's Robbie Williams could be in the pipe line, it has been reported.

The singer has allowed the show to use his solo material after the owner of London's Old Vic theatre began auditioning for two 'Robbies'

''Robbie is bang up for the musical and thinks it will be a fun production. He loves West End shows and is honoured they will be doing one about his life," a source told the newspaper.

Meanwhile, Robbie Williams has confirmed that Take That's tour is still on despite recent speculation.

The jaunt, which will see the group perform at stadiums across the UK, kicks off this spring.

Gigwise

Robbie Williams is reportedly in line to take over from Simon Cowell on this year's X Factor.

The popstar who has appeared on the show a number of times as a performer, could be the judging panel's new 'top dog' if Cowell decides to take a back seat to focus on the US version of the show.
It is thought that the Take That star's cheeky sense of humour and outspokenness would make him the perfect replacement for the music mogul.
An insider told The Daily Star: 'Robbie is a huge name so would naturally be a massive ratings hit. Not only that, he is also straight-talking and comical.
'We all understand that right now America is where Simon's focus has to be. There aren't many people that can fill his shoes, but Robbie just might be able to do it.'

However, TV bosses are also thought to be considering Gary Barlow for a role on the judging panel, which could bring up some old rivalries between the two singers.
Speaking to The Sun after the National Television Awards last week, Cowell said that none of last year's judging panel have been given new contracts yet.
'I think there are going to be a few surprises. I genuinely do. I don't think there's one set way of doing it. I am currently in conversations with ITV and Fox,' he added.