“This is not X Factor, is it?” asks Robbie Williams, with a cheeky swagger. If he felt he had something to prove after his strange, nervous TV performance, it doesn’t show. His live comeback after a three-year break was casual, charming and  friendly. Looking trim and fit, Williams told stories, cracked jokes (usually with himself as the butt), led the crowd in comedy dance routines and belted his way through a set of songs, old and new, so catchy and clever and full of personality they reminded everyone precisely why he has been champion of the British pop scene for so long. Robbie seemed to remember he’s quite good at this live entertaining business and started enjoy himself again. I don’t know who was more pleased – him or us. Robbie had not stepped on to a stage since his difficult Close Encounters tour in 2006. He was forced to cancel dates in Asia. And the whole thing stressed him out so much he ended up in rehab for depression, vowing never to tour again. The singer has refused to tour his new album Reality Killed The Video Star because of fears about stress. I reckon he’ll go back on that decision now. He has to. Last night’s tickets for the Electric Proms show at Camden Roundhouse were gold dust. Fans queued from first thing yesterday morning to make sure they could rush to the front when doors opened. He did a total of 15 songs, 7 of which were new and one cover. There was nothing off last album Rudeboxx. Robbie was backed by a world-class 38 piece orchestra led by Trevor Horn who’s produced the new album. There was none of interuptions to ad lib to the crowd which marred his X Factor turn. Loads of celebs headed down including Ant and Dec, Sir Ian McKellan, Chris Evans, Fearne Cotton, Will Young. James Corden was up on his feet dancing and yelled at me: “He’s f***ing killing it.” Millions more listened on BBC Radio 1 and also watched live in 200 cinemas all over the world. Robbie was soon cracking gags, pacing the stage and making everyone laugh. Introducing new song Starstruck he did a George Michael dancing impression. Before Feel he said: “This was my auntie’s favourite and I’m sure she’s looking down on me now…..She’s not dead she’s just really condescending!” He delivered the new stuff with passion. Old classics Supreme, No Regrets and Angels were brilliant. He paid tribute to old bandmate Gary Barlow whose dad died last week. Robbie said: “About 14 months ago we all got back together one night and I got a new best mate….Gary. I’m sending my love to you I know its been a tough week.”

And Robbie admitted hed gone out and got a Take That tattoo after the healing meeting. He added: “But when I showed it to them they all said in unison ‘you dick!’ ”

He dedicated new one Won’t Do That to his girlfriend Ayda Field.

The new album’s name is a tpun on Horn’s own 1979 hit with Buggles called Video Killed The Radio Star.

Robbie came back on for an tbrilliant encore which went from Millennium into the cover for a huge end.

In one 90 minute show he destroyed the ghost of X Factor and Rudeboxx.