MUMBAI: Singer Robbie Williams says it took nearly dying to change the way he lives.

The former Take That Star "knows how lucky I am" after a health scare left him close to death in 2017. Williams became seriously ill while backstage at a stadium gig in Zurich and spent seven days in intensive care after doctors discovered "abnormalities" on his brain, reports thesun.co.uk.

He said, "I've refocused my life and all the extremities in it. It's probably why I am on such good form today. It takes nearly dying for someone like me to change the way they live.

"I've always thought I was protected and I've gone out of my way to test that hypothesis. Like a cat, I've had a billion lives. But this was the closest and scariest. I also had this f***ed up feeling that I was immortal. But all is okay with my brain now."

Williams, who has been sober for 19 years, is no longer tempted by drink or drugs.

He said: "I thought weed being legalised and available in LA might be a problem but so far so good. The weed there is so insanely strong. It's so debilitating and I am far too sensitive. So today I will go to bed and I won't have had any drink or drugs, apart from Nicorette gum.

"If I did, I'd be less of a dad, less of a partner, less of a pop star and less of a friend. But I have a rawness that rubs up against the world and so there have been times I wanted to take that pain away. So far so good. Boxing and golf are my addictions now."

(Source: IANS)