Top > Entertainment > 2006 > December > 2006-12-22

?Bad Boy? Robbie Williams Avoids Smoking Fines

Pop star Robbie Williams is always pushing the limit when it comes to his ?bad boy? image. His latest endeavor took place in Australia during the star?s world tour. Knowing full well that there was a ?no smoking? policy in place at the stadium where he was performing, Robbie Williams nevertheless decided to go ahead and light up during his performance.

Tour organizers confirmed that Williams was told beforehand that there was no smoking allowed at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. When he lit up during his first show, health groups criticized him in the Australian media for using a cigarette. When he learned about the storm that he had caused, Williams ? in his typical contrary manner ? lit up again on the second night. His excuse? Since he gave up drugs and alcohol, cigarettes are his only vice and he intended continuing.

Under Queensland law, Williams would need to be fined a total of $117 for smoking in a public place. However, the state premier, Peter Beattie, said that he, himself, would cough up the money for the fines, as he didn?t want the smoking to become an issue. "He used it as part of his act and is going to be treated like anyone else, but because of the circumstances, I am going to pay it," Beattie said.