As the hype surrounding Robbie Williams' return to the UK and a possible reunion with Take That increases, Martin Tideswell looks at the life and times of the Potteries pop superstar

WHEN it comes to reporting the world of showbiz, it is very difficult to separate the fact from the fiction.

If, for example, you believed half of what you read about the Potteries-own Robbie Williams then you may think he was a crop circle-chasing recluse desperate to jump on the bandwagon of a rejuvenated Take That.

This couldn't be further from the truth, of course.

Most of what the national Press proudly slaps an Exclusive tag on relates to throw-away comments made by the star or his entourage which can be interpreted in any number of ways.

Take, for example, the story on the front page of a national newspaper yesterday.

A reporter grabbed 30 seconds with Robbie after he had watched pal Jonathan Wilkes's opening night performance in Queen tribute musical We Will Rock You at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

She had her picture taken with Robbie, and asked him about the oft talked-about possibility of a reunion with Gary, Mark, Howard and Jason.

His replies were what you would expect of a man just re-emerging into the limelight following a self-imposed exile to the U.S.

He was polite, complimentary to his former band members, indicated that a reunion of some sort was more likely now than ever as they would all have matured and declared that any previous animosity was history.

Any fan who loves Robbie's music and has followed his career closely would tell you there's really nothing new, or surprising, in any of this.

They certainly wouldn't be lulled into the idea that the man who can sell out stadiums around the world in minutes has somehow lost the plot or needs any help with his career.

Rob, as those closest to him refer to the star, is a shrewd operator ably assisted by his PA Josie and protected by a small army of public relations experts and advisers.

He knows full well that simply visiting a bike shop or a Costa Coffee near his new home in Wiltshire causes crowds to gather.

Thus Wednesday's night out with Jonny would have doubtless been the subject of much discussion and was another carefully calculated step forward by a man who has starved the public of both artistic material and picture opportunities since moving to Los Angeles.

When he does, eventually, emerge into the full glare of publicity, make no bones about it – it will be on his terms.

He is these days understandably determined to protect his own privacy and that of his American actress girlfriend Ayda Field.

The good news for Robbie is that, having returned to the UK because he was "homesick", the majority of the British public seems more than sympathetic to his wishes for a bit of peace and quiet.

Most fans appreciate there is Robbie the preening, brilliant international superstar and Rob, the bloke from Boslem who would also like to enjoy life and love out of the limelight.

In fact, when he returned to his native Stoke-on-Trent earlier this year to show Ayda round his old haunts he was ably shielded by the ordinary potters he bumped into or had a cuppa with. They simply refused to talk about their brief encounters with one of the world's biggest music stars.

No doubt Port Vale's majority shareholder will be in Hamil Road some time soon to watch a home game because the lure of watching his beloved Valiants will simply be too much to bear. And don't be surprised if he again does something to assist the club financially. He's one of the very few people with the kind of clout that could change Vale's fortunes overnight – and not necessarily by putting any money in.

When Robbie does show his face at the Vale he deserves a warm welcome and is almost guaranteed to get one given the fact that his £250,000 investment almost certainly saved the club in its darkest hour.

As for Robbie's nearest and dearest, they are just glad to have him closer to home.

His mum has been to see him and his dad says he will be down there soon at the star's new pad in Wiltshire – a stone's throw from Jonny Wilkes's home.

Jonny has also put his pal up recently but is understandably reluctant to give too much away about the star's life or plans, other than to say that he is fit, happy and raring to make his own music again.

He said: "Let's just say Rob's on great form, his next album – which I've heard a demo of – is going to be amazing. As for me, I'm just glad to have me best mate around again."

And so say all of us.

Other Robbie Williams stories today

High hopes for Robbie's eighth studio album

Fans urge solo star to continue making his own music

Robbie Williams by numbers