The 51-year-old singer Robbie Williams recently shared that he was diagnosed with scurvy earlier this year, after facing several mental health issues in recent months. The artist mentioned that he is feeling better now and is ready to start a new tour. Here’s what we know about his illness.
What is scurvy?
According to Medline Plus, scurvy is a condition caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the diet. In the United States, this disease is rare, and it is mostly older adults with inadequate nutritional intake who suffer from it.
Symptoms of scurvy
Initially, people affected by this disease may experience the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- General weakness
- Joint pain
- Irritability
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However, if left untreated, more severe symptoms can develop, such as:
- Swollen and bleeding gums
- Loose teeth that may fall out
- Anemia
- Bleeding under the skin
- Rough and scaly skin
- Reopening of previously healed wounds and new wounds that don’t heal
- Dry and brittle hair
- Swollen legs
Additionally, babies and children may experience irritability, pain when moving, lack of appetite, and anemia.
Causes of scurvy
Scurvy is caused by not having enough vitamin C in the diet for at least three months. The risk of developing this condition increases in the following situations:
- Consuming few fruits or vegetables for a prolonged period.
- Eating very little food.
- Having poor nutrition during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Smoking.
- Having a long-term dependence on drugs or alcohol.
Who is Robbie Williams?
Robbie Williams, whose real name is Robert Peter Williams, was born on February 13, 1974, in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. From a very young age, he decided to leave the classrooms for the stage and pursued a career, going from one casting to another in search of his big break.
It was during this time that his mother told him about an audition for a boy band. His performance of Nothing Can Divide Us by Jason Donovan earned him a spot alongside Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, and Jason Orange in the band Take That. In the 1990s, the group propelled his career to stardom, but his desire to explore his individuality and some creative differences with the other members led Robbie to leave the group in 1995.
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Although many fans and industry experts were skeptical about his future as a solo artist, he released his debut album Life Thru a Lens in 1997. However, it was his iconic single “Angels” that established him as a figure in British pop and, later, in the global music scene. Since then, his career has been on a constant rise, releasing a series of albums that have topped charts around the world.
What are Robbie Williams’ biggest hits?
Throughout his career, Robbie Williams has had many worldwide hits. Here are some of the most notable:
- Angels: Released in 1997, it is his most famous song.
- Feel: Released in 2002; it was written during a time of personal crisis.
- Rock DJ: A hit in 2000, it showed his more liberal side.
- Let Me Entertain You: Released in 1998, it became one of his most explosive songs in live performances.
- Tripping: A hit in several countries; it combines deep lyrics with a great rhythm.
- Go Gentle: Released in 2013; the song is dedicated to his daughter.
