‘WTF’: Robbie rips into ABC ‘twits’ over NY

Robbie Williams has taken a swipe at the “twits” slamming his performance on the ABC’s New Year’s Eve coverage during a packed-out gig in Melbourne.

Crowds of adoring fans packed out Federation Square for Williams’ free concert and Q&A on Thursday, with some audience members camping out for hours to get a glimpse of the English star.

The iHeartLIVE concert is one of many promotional events including meet and greets, Q&A’s and a special movie screening to promote his new bio-pic Better Man.

His tour kicked off with a performance at Sydney’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks show, hosted by the ABC, where he was slammed online for promoting the film.

Addressing the controversy around his New Year’s Eve performance, Williams asked if anyone saw him “on the tele on New Year’s Eve.”

He asked: “Does anyone know about the trouble I got in for over-promoting my movie?”

“What the f**k did they think I was there for?”

The singer lambasted the suggestion he would “get on a plane, come down and sing Angels again”.

“F**k off! I’m here to sell my f**king movie, you twits,” Williams said.

“You book Robbie Williams, you get Robbie Williams.”

The British rocker soon acknowledged the backlash surrounded his promotion via his appearance on the taxpayer-funded public broadcaster.

“Is the ABC funded by you guys, is that what that is?”

With Federation Square at maximum capacity well before the concert’s start time, fans were directed to Birrarung Marr Park where the concert will be streamed onto a giant screen.

By 4.45pm, the hilltop was blanketed by hundreds of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the singer.

The show kicked off at 5.00pm with Williams opening with his 1997 smash hit Let Me Entertain You.

One fan was heard saying “He’s just so cool!” as Williams stepped onto the stage donning a crisp white blazer and a bedazzled pair of sunglasses.

Speaking to his audience, Robbie told fans: “What’s making me laugh about this whole thing is the police horses here because of the menopausal audience that I attract.”

“They’re violent f**kers,” he cheekily quipped.

One front-row spectator named Emily broke down crying as Williams approached her.

“She said she hasn’t been able to see me before because she was too broke. Well we are going to get her some free tickets,” Williams said.

Dedicating his next song to Emily, Williams begun singing his song She’s the One, supplementing the lyric “Somebody” with “Emily.”

“This is what you call pandering to the locals,” he said.

“I have a horrible cold. My nose was streaming on TV the other night and I just know everyone was thinking I was off my face.

“I haven’t done cocaine since 2006!”

After finishing with Angels, Williams began an in-conversation interview about his new movie and love for Melbourne with broadcaster Craig Huggins.

“I love you Australians” he told the crowd.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece was then invited on to the stage, where he presented the singer with a key to the city.

“We just love that you chose our town to film your movie,” Mr Reece said.

“This is the highest honour that our city can bestow on a fellow person.”

“Bless you,” Williams replied.

The honour will put Williams in the company of Muhammad Ali, Dame Edna, and Olivia Newton John.

Only 40 people have been awarded the key in Melbourne’s history.

Earlier in the day, another fan, Hazel, said she called in sick on Wednesday when she heard Williams – who she has a back tattoo of – was staging the concert.

“When I first found out I thought ‘clear the schedule! Call work – I’m not coming in’- then I came here and set up shop with my little blanket.”

“I’ll wait as long as it takes” she added.

Another woman said she had flown all the way from Brisbane to see the free concert.

“Last time he was here he serenaded me, he just drew me in.”, she added.

Also in the crowd was Georgie, a life long Williams fan since the age of six who appeared in the megastar’s biopic as an extra.

“I was also invited on stage to play his bride in a mock wedding at one of his concerts,” said Georgie, who is getting married for real next week.

“The wedding planning can wait!”

The all-ages concert will kick off at 5pm Thursday, and will be followed by an in-conversation event with Craig Huggins about the movie and Williams’s relationship with Melbourne.

He will the move to the Astor Theatre in Windsor where he will participate in a Q&A before a screening of the film.

His time in Melbourne will also see Williams awarded a key to city by Lord Mayor Nick Reece, who will confer the award in recognition of his contribution to the city.

His Melbourne-shot movie created 2,920 jobs and generated $142 million for the Victorian economy.

The Movie features Jonno Davies playing Williams in the form of a CGI monkey.

Williams said in a statement he was “so grateful to Victoria, to Melbourne, the incredibly talented cast and crew, the writers, the producers and Director Michael Gracey.

“I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to make this extraordinary film here.”