Robbie Williams Tipped for New Year's Honour After Tax Dispute Resolution

Robbie Williams is reportedly being considered for a New Year's Honour, potentially an OBE or even a knighthood, after being cleared over a controversial tax row that previously blocked an award. The singer was initially slated for an OBE in 2019 for his charity work and career achievements, but the honor was halted due to his involvement with a disputed investment scheme.

A source told The Sun that Williams has been “green-flagged” by the charity and philanthropy committee after an investigation into his tax affairs. "He has raised hundreds of millions for charity and this year was the 20th year of Soccer Aid — which was his idea," the source stated. "So his name has been put on the list by the charity and philanthropy committee after it was green-flagged."

The process is not yet complete, with the nomination needing to proceed through the main honours committee, then to the Prime Minister, and finally to the King for approval. "There are more hoops to get through, and it needs to go forward to the main honours committee and then the PM and ultimately the King," the insider added.

Williams, 52, was identified as the first celebrity known to have been affected by an 'honours blacklist' for individuals with unresolved tax matters. His representatives declined to comment, and the Cabinet Office has been contacted for a statement.

The former Take That singer's OBE nomination in 2019 was reportedly withdrawn after an intervention from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). A senior HMRC civil servant allegedly suggested that Williams's challenge to HMRC over his tax affairs contributed to the decision.

Robbie Williams co-founded Soccer Aid in 2006 with Jonathan Wilkes. The event, which aims to unite nations for charitable causes, has raised over £137 million for UNICEF. In 2015, Williams was linked to a film investment scheme run by Ingenious Media, to which he reportedly paid £2 million. The scheme, designed for individuals to defer tax liability, allowed investors to claim tax relief against their stake. Ingenious Media has disputed HMRC's claims of tax avoidance, and the case is subject to ongoing legal appeals. A tribunal previously determined that while Ingenious operated legitimately, investors were not entitled to the tax reliefs they had claimed.

Williams is not the only high-profile figure whose potential honor has been affected by tax-related issues. David Beckham was reportedly close to receiving a knighthood in 2014, but concerns arose from his alleged involvement in a tax avoidance scheme. Although this scheme was later deemed legitimate, it impacted his prospects for an honor at the time. Beckham eventually received a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours list last year after years of campaigning.