Robbie to tour with chimp

Robbie Williams is taking a leaf out of Michael Jackson’s book – by touring with a chimpanzee.

The singer animal will be seen at each of the shows for his European tour which hits the UK tomorrow.

But animal lovers need not get too concerned about the treatment of the chimp as it will only be appearing on screen during one of the singer’s tracks.

The production team took footage of the chimp to accompany Robbie’s track Me And My Monkey when he performs it at the sell-out shows.

It will be shown on a huge 11-tonne screen which will be suspended above the stage and will move between songs.

Jackson was famed for his pet Bubbles who accompanied him everywhere.

Williams plays in Edinburgh tomorrow evening before heading off to cities such as Berlin, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

The singer will be ferried around in his own private jet between the shows of his Weekends Of Mass Destruction Tour.

It is his most sophisticated series of shows yet and takes 72 trucks and buses to ferry between venues.

On stage he will be accompanied by six dancers who will cavort around two hydraulic poles.

Williams himself has had a huge creative input into the show, working with set designer Mark Fisher who was behind the spectacular shows at the Millennium Dome as well as Pink Floyd concerts.

“It’s a mind-blowing show,” said a spokeswoman.

Williams plays a three-day stint at the 125,000-capacity Knebworth Park towards the end of the tour in August.