POP star Robbie Williams's disguise failed to stop fans recognising him as he went shopping for a new bike on his return to Britain.

The former Take That star was photographed in a balaclava leaving a cycle shop in Swindon, Wiltshire.

The shots, taken by the Swindon Advertiser on Tuesday, are the first time Williams has been pictured in England since it emerged that he planned to return from Los Angeles.

Several fans gathered outside the Red Planet shop to meet the Stoke-on-Trent singer, who made his fortune with hits like Angels and Let Me Entertain You.

The paper reported that one of his security staff asked the throng "not to hassle him so he could have his first day back in peace".

But Antonino Coniglio, the owner of a nearby restaurant, got an autograph for his wife Claire before the shop locked its doors.

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A heavily disguised Robbie Williams as he went shopping for a new bike in Swindon on Tuesday.

Williams joked with him, asking "Are you Claire?", before happily granting his wish.

One of his entourage was seen carrying out a new racing bike worth around £5,500.

Red Planet manager Freddie Platt said Williams was politely behaved and did not wish to attract attention.

Staff said Williams was not wearing a disguise as he walked into the shop, where he spent an hour talking about bikes and sharing a coffee.

But he wisely donned the balaclava to make his exit when he realised the crowds were building outside.

Willams's spokesman, James Herring, said today: "Robbie is over here working on a new album which is due for release in the autumn."