ROBBIE Williams joined Take That on stage last night but stopped short of performing with his former band.
Take That opened the Children In Need concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, organised by Gary Barlow, with their song Greatest Day.
Barlow then welcomed the 4,500-strong crowd and said: “What a perfect night for us to introduce an old friend.”
An emotional-looking Williams, who left the band in 1995, appeared on stage alongside his old bandmates but only briefly.
Barlow and Williams have both hinted at a reunion but, despite the teaser, the band left the stage to allow Williams to perform his solo singles Bodies and You Know Me alone.
The night, which has raised more than £500,000 in ticket sales for Children In Need, will be broadcast on BBC1 on November 19.
Speaking after his performance, Williams said he was welling up before joining Take That on stage and he wanted to “milk” the moment for a bit longer.
Asked why he did not perform with the band, Williams said: “Something’s planned and you don’t want to shoot your bolt, do you?”
He refused to be drawn on when the reunion would take place, but denied it would be at next year’s Brit Awards.
He said: “We’ll save that for something special, whatever that is.”
He added that he was not nervous about it, saying: “The bitterness and resentment has completely gone and I’m just left with four other lads that I just love to pieces.”
Also on the bill last night was the band Muse, who performed two songs.
Cheryl Cole sang her solo single Fight For This Love, dressed in a white military-style ensemble and backed by a troupe of dancers.
Former X Factor winner Leona Lewis sang the Snow Patrol hit Run, and her latest single, Happy.
In one of many collaborations, Dame Shirley Bassey sang This Time while Gary Barlow played the piano. She then sang Diamonds Are Forever and grime artist Dizzee Rascal joined her on stage to rap.
Classical singer Katherine Jenkins sang Parla Piu Piano accompanied by Julian Lloyd Webber, and Annie Lennox sang her classic hit Why.
After their performance, Jenkins and Lloyd Webber spoke of their delight at being invited to take part in the pop music event. Jenkins said: “I was honoured to be part of this event. Lloyd Webber said: “I thank Gary for thinking of it.”