Robbie Williams has revealed he was diagnosed with scurvy—a rare condition he jokingly called a “17th-century pirate disease”—after rapid weight loss linked to an Ozempic-like appetite suppressant, according to metro.co.uk.
The 51-year-old singer, who shed two stone (28 lbs) on the medication, admitted the drastic transformation left him malnourished due to a severe vitamin C deficiency. “I’d stopped eating and wasn’t getting nutrients,” Williams said in an interview, explaining how his battle with body dysmorphia warped his perception of others’ concerns. “When people say, ‘We’re worried you’re too thin,’ I hear, ‘Jackpot. I’ve reached the promised land.’”
Williams first disclosed his use of the weight-loss drug in late 2023, calling it a “Christmas miracle” after dropping to 12st 1lb. But the physical toll was compounded by a resurgence of mental health struggles, with the star confessing to his first depressive episode in a decade. “I was sad, anxious, depressed,” he said. “I thought I was past this.”
The “Rock DJ” singer also opened up about his parents’ health battles, including his mother’s dementia diagnosis and father’s Parkinson’s disease. Despite the challenges, Williams continues to navigate fame, body image and wellness under public scrutiny—proving even legends aren’t immune to modern (and medieval) health woes.
- Featured images: Robbie Williams/Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
