Scottish Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus is set to share the stage with Robbie Williams at Murrayfield Stadium on 31 May, after the pop icon surprised her with an invitation during a BBC Radio Scotland interview.
Williams, who is kicking off his European tour in Edinburgh, caught McManus off guard by casually asking, “Would you like to come and sing with me in Edinburgh?”
Initially stunned, she responded, “Is this a joke? For goodness’ sake, yes!” The two artists agreed to decide on a song later.
The Rock DJ singer’s tour will feature his biggest hits, including Angels and She’s the One, alongside new music from his recent biopic Better Man.
The film, released in December, portrays his rise to fame and personal struggles—though with a unique twist, as he is depicted as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee.
A Longstanding Connection
McManus, who won Pop Idol in 2003, has shared a unique bond with Williams over the years.
She recalled how he reached out to her during the early days of her career when both were facing harsh tabloid scrutiny.
“He was getting a lot of horrible stuff written about him in the press.
When Pop Idol came along, I got a lot of that too—especially about my appearance.
Robbie was a huge fan of reality TV and noticed we were both making headlines for the wrong reasons,” she shared.
Williams offered her guidance on handling negativity, a gesture she has never forgotten.
“I cried a lot with him at the time, and the advice he gave me really helped me get through that initial period.”
A Dream Come True
Performing in front of 70,000 fans at Murrayfield with Williams is a career-defining moment for McManus.
“It’s the enormity of the kindness. Robbie has been so incredibly kind to me on so many occasions despite being such a megastar,” she said.
McManus has previously performed with music legends, including Rod Stewart at Glasgow’s Hydro and Susan Boyle for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit in 2010.
However, she believes this duet will be her biggest moment yet. “To get to this point, 22 years after Pop Idol, this is probably the biggest thing I’ve been asked to do. I’m still in shock. My heart is bursting.”
As for song choices? “That man could hand me the phone book, and I’d sing it for him,” she joked.
“Obviously, I want to ‘Lulu it right up,’ but I doubt he’ll do Relight My Fire. Whatever we sing, I’ll give it my best shot!”
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