Robbie Williams’ flying visit to Melbourne for private corporate show

UK superstar Robbie Williams has made a flying visit to perform a private show in Melbourne for 800 guests at Crown Palladium.

Robbie Williams performs a private corporate show at the Crown Palladium on Friday, June 17. Picture: Supplied

UK superstar Robbie Williams made a flying visit to perform a private corporate show in Melbourne on Friday night.

Williams, who was spotted in Melbourne in the Southbank area on Friday afternoon, put on a private concert for 800 guests at the Crown Palladium that evening.

It is understood Williams arrived in Melbourne on Thursday from the UK, did the show

Friday night and flew out of Australia, home to his family, on Saturday morning.

Footage appeared on social media late Saturday of stunned guests enjoying the surprise show by the iconic hit-maker which was packed full of his best known tracks.

He had people on their feet from the get-go, opening with his party starter, Let Me Entertain You.

The event was a function hosted by wealth management company La Trobe Financial and was billed as a valedictory dinner for retiring CEO Greg O’Neill OAM and a celebration of the business’s 70th anniversary.

“There is just one more thing I have to do,” O’Neill is seen telling guests in a video posted to Twitter by ex-basketball star Chris Anstey.

“A friend of mine said he wanted to come and help out and I said ‘yes’. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Melbourne, Robbie Williams.”

Please watch this short clip of the incredible Greg O’Neill surprising everyone at the end of his valedictory dinner by introducing @robbiewilliams on to stage!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/qQtB13LGIB

— Chris Anstey (@ChrisAnstey13) June 18, 2022

DJ Andrew McClelland also shared photos and a video on social media of Williams rocking the room.

“Got to do a spot of lovely DJ-ing at a secret gig last night in support of that charming, funny, brilliant behemoth of pop, @robbiewilliams last night,” posted McClelland with the distinctive light fittings in the Crown Palladium clearly visible.

“Yes, Robbie Williams from Take That. It was a joy from start to finish.”

Other guests at the function also shared shots on to social media.

Greg O’Neill x @robbiewilliams = Legendary pic.twitter.com/wbeFwnKGsP

— mark worthington (@mwortho33) June 17, 2022

La Trobe Financial has been contacted for comment.

O’Neill sold his stake in La Trobe Financial to Brookfield Asset Management earlier this year. It was reported at the time by a spokesperson for Brookfield that O’Neill would retire from the business once the deal was finalised.

Founded in 1952, La Trobe Financial was estimated to have more than $15 billion in assets under management.

Just your casual Friday night surprise Robbie Williams gig thanks to Greg O’Neill 🤯 @Wortho33pic.twitter.com/cbhFLqL8JV

— Chris Anstey (@ChrisAnstey13) June 17, 2022

Just what it would have cost to have Williams put on a private corporate gig is unknown, however his fee for the cancelled public concert which was to have coincided with the 2020 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park was $1.94m.

That fee was revealed in court documents as part of a dispute been the cancelled show’s promoter and the Australian Grand Prix corporation which became public in April.

Meanwhile, filming is continuing in Melbourne on Better Man, a bio-pic based on the wild life and times of Williams.

Williams was in Melbourne in March where he performed two concerts at Rod Laver Arena that were filmed for inclusion in the movie.

Williams will reportedly be portrayed, at times, in the film as a CGI monkey.