London - Robbie Williams is the “quintessential boy next door”.
The Candy singer believes people connect with him and his music because they can recognise themselves in him, but he insists he does have a “gigantic ego” which sets him apart from his fans.
Speaking on When Robbie Met James - which airs on Friday night in the UK on Sky1 HD at 9pm - he said: “I think that a lot of people don't like my brand of whatever I do. And I think that people, the ones that like me at least see me as their brother, or their older uncle, or their friend or their neighbour. I am the quintessential boy next door, I feel that way.
“And I do feel as though if I was a pop star this is what I do and I could understand that people that come to see me think that if they were a pop star this is what they would do. I have a gigantic ego and need to be at the top of the pile and be doing amazingly well; also at the same time I'm just pleased to be anywhere.”
Robbie - who was interviewed by actor James Corden for the TV special - insists he still wants to be top of the pop pile even at 38 and believes having a competitive nature enhances the creativity of the best musicians.
The former Take That singer insists it is his desire to be the biggest pop star that motivates his songwriting.
He explained: “Paul McCartney, Elton John, when they release an album even now into their 70s, late 60s or wherever they are, they're not going, 'You know what, have one.'
“It doesn't matter. Those people are still ultra-competitive. Madonna wins the bloody Masterpiece at the Chuffington something or other Awards and Elton John is absolutely furious that his song didn't win! They're still competitive. If you lose that competitive edge then what's the point.” - Bang Showbiz