Fast-forward 15 years: the rifts seem to have been healed, Take That are as big as they ever were - and Williams' star power is on a downward trajectory. But that hasn't stopped him releasing a greatest hits album.
The first two songs are new, including opener Shame, written and sung with former nemesis, Take That's lead singer Gary Barlow. It documents the pair's rocky relationship in a tongue-in-cheek, country-tinged tune.
Disc one of the three-disc deluxe edition contains some of his more heartfelt numbers, such as Feel and Something Beautiful, songs that reveal a softer, more earnest side to the man.
Disc two gathers perhaps Williams' best-known songs, such as Angels and Rock DJ, the majority of which are lighthearted, feel-good tracks with sing-along lyrics and serious arm-waving potential.
The final disc is a selection of B-sides and previously unreleased tracks, many of which are acoustic numbers which prove something people often forget: boy, can the man sing.