8:16pm UK, Wednesday October 02, 2002

Robbie Williams has signed a new deal with record label EMI which is rumoured to be the biggest ever clinched by a British star.

SL Robbie Williams

Proper performer

The singer would not comment on reports that the multi-album deal was worth a record £80m.

But he said: "I'm rich beyond my wildest dreams."

He added: "I'm back with EMI. I never left. It's great and I'm glad. I want to continue to break records and make records with EMI."

'Wildest dreams'

Asked whether the contract was worth £80m he said: "My mum said it would be really uncouth of me to talk about money - but I'm rich beyond my wildest dreams.

"I'm going to count it all."

Williams, 28, was speaking at the offices of his management company in west London where he was joined by Tony Wadsworth, head of EMI.

Mr Wadsworth said: "We have heard the new album Escapology and it is undoubtedly his best album yet."

Williams added: "That's not just a bunch of hot air, it really is the best thing I've ever done.

"I'm looking forward to getting out there and performing it. This is the first album I'm really proud of."