Robbie Williams has addressed a viral incident that occurred during the World Cup Final, where a white substance appeared to fall from his nostril during a television interview. Williams clarified in a social media post that the substance was a Nicorette mint.
During his performance at the World Cup Final opening ceremony and subsequent interview, fans observed a white item descending from Williams' nose onto a microphone. The singer quickly removed it and placed it on his forehead.
Initially, Williams responded with a lighthearted Instagram apology on Monday, suggesting it was a mint. He later confirmed on Thursday that it was specifically a Nicorette mint, humorously stating, "People think I was off my nut. I wasn't."
Williams revealed that his initial "fake apology" post had garnered over 27 million views, and the overall "MintGate" incident had reached 51 million people. He noted that he had avoided reading many comments, which contributed to his finding the situation amusing.
Comparisons were also drawn between Williams' sequined blue Adidas tracksuit worn during his performance and the attire of the character Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri from the HBO series "The Sopranos." Williams acknowledged these memes, calling them "magnificent."
He described the incident as "the most me thing I've ever done," detailing how the mint fell and stuck to his forehead without his immediate awareness. Williams also shared his thoughts on the public reaction, stating, "I wasn’t. I’m not. And I haven’t been for a very long time. But that’s showbusiness."
Following the attention from the World Cup incident, Williams and his wife, Ayda Field, have shared a series of family photos documenting their week. The images depict the couple spending time with their children—Teddy, Charlie, Coco, and Beau—including beach outings and garden relaxation. Williams was also seen shirtless, showcasing his tattoos.
In other news, Williams is considered a leading contender to headline Glastonbury. This comes after he announced his 2027 UK and Ireland tour dates, which include shows in Limerick and Lytham St Annes. Bookmakers have placed him at even-money odds to headline a night on the Pyramid Stage at next year's festival.