Robbie Williams wrote his latest album, 'Take the Crown', in just eight days after recruiting dance duo the Undercolours to help him write tracks.

Robbie Williams wrote 'Take the Crown' in eight days.

The 'Candy' singer worked with Australian dance duo the Undercolours on his latest album, and was surprised at how quickly it all came together.

In a video posted on his official YouTube channel, Robbie explains: "My brother in law - who's in a rap combo called The Connects - his music got 40 per cent better overnight and I said, 'What's going on?'

"He said: 'We met these guys in a bar, these Australian guys, and they produce and write songs'. I said to him: 'Well, get them up to the house,' and within eight days, we'd written the album."

He also said the pair had "breathed youth" into the music, adding: "I found it to be a very fortuitous blend straight away. More so than anything I've ever done in the past really."

Robbie is joined in the video by producer Jacknife Lee, who also worked on the album, and he explained how he got on board.

He said: "I think any artist who is going to have longevity needs to try stuff. That's the bit of Rob that I'm attracted to - a fearlessness about being big, about connecting with people and he's one of those artists who it's very hard not to be a fan of."

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Robbie Williams would love to make an album of duets with Gary Barlow but admits it would upset the rest of Take That.

Robbie Williams wants to make an album of duets with Gary Barlow.

The 'Come Undone' hitmaker has co-written tracks with his Take That bandmate for his new solo album 'Take The Crown' and the pair previously released single 'Shame' but the singer would love for them to do a bigger venture, though he admits he doesn't think the rest of the group would be happy.

He said: "I've written a couple of songs with Gaz [for the new album] but he's not singing on the album.

"I love working with Gaz. I'd love to do an album with him - me and him - but that wouldn't go down well with the boys, I don't think.

"I'd love to do that in between Take That being Take That and I'd love to do something with Gaz at some point. And being Take That again at some point too."

Robbie was previously linked with a judging role on 'The X Factor' before Gary landed the job and while he admits it is still an ambition of his, he would want to do it on his own terms.

He told GQ magazine: "I could do it [judge a show] but I wouldn't want to.. Otherwise you're at the mercy of Simon Cowell or the head of BBC.

"You just wantch people come in and then be thrown off and I wouldn't like to put myself at the mercy of that. I'd like to own the show and not be able to be sacked."

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Robbie Williams is being lined up as a guest judge on 'The X Factor' to temporarily replace axed judge Kelly Rowland with the first auditions just days away.

Robbie Williams is being lined up as a guest judge on 'The X Factor'.

The Take That singer is wanted to join his bandmate Gary Barlow and fellow panellists Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh on the ITV1 show as a temporary replacement for axed judge Kelly Rowland ahead of the first auditions in Liverpool on Wednesday (23.05.12).

A show insider said: "There is always a buzz in the air when Robbie and Gary get together. This could save us.

"Obviously we love Gary, Tulisa and Louis but we wanted to kick off next week with a bang and get everyone talking."

The move comes after Dannii Minogue snubbed a £1 million offer to return to the panel, and producers are now hoping Robbie will be able to bring some "excitement" to the programme to give show boss Simon Cowell a bit more time to recruit a permanent panellist.

The insider added to the Daily Star newspaper: "Having Dannii back would have been huge.

"But that's fallen through so hopefully Robbie will join us and create the excitement we need to launch the series."

Meanwhile, music legend Rod Stewart, 67, has also been tipped to join the panel as a guest judge for two shows, starting in London next month.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Rod is a genuine living legend and exactly what the show needs.

"The details are still to be ironed out but it looks like he'll be at the auditions next month in London and possibly Glasgow because of his Scottish heritage.

"He's sold more than 100 million records worldwide so he knows exactly what it takes to succeed in the tough world of showbusiness, and hopefully he'll also be a big draw for viewers who might not have been fans of 'The X Factor' before.

"It's a big coup to get him involved and Simon Cowell is absolutely thrilled."

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