Jan Williams

Quick Facts

Summary

Jan Williams is the mother of Robbie Williams. She raised him in Stoke on Trent, ran the florist Jan’s Bloomers and later worked as a drugs counsellor. She encouraged his Take That audition and remained a key emotional support throughout his life. She is also the mother of Sally, Robbie’s older half sister.

Biography

Family background

Janet Theresa Farrell, known as Jan Williams, was born and raised in England. Her family has Irish ancestry through her great grandfather, who moved from Ireland to England. Her father was Jack Farrell, Robbie Williams’ maternal grandfather. Jack Farrell would later become an important symbolic figure for Robbie, who honoured him by naming his clothing brand Farrell after him and by having his name tattooed on his wrist.

Marriage and early family life

In the early 1970s, Jan married Peter Clive Williams, also known as Pete Conway. Their son Robbie Williams was born in 1974. During these years, Jan and Pete ran The Red Lion pub in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. The pub regularly featured live entertainment, including singers and comedians, creating an environment in which performance was part of everyday life.

The Red Lion and early exposure to performance

Robbie spent his earliest years in and around The Red Lion. He has repeatedly described the pub as his first exposure to live performance, watching entertainers and absorbing the atmosphere of showbusiness. This setting is widely acknowledged by Robbie as the foundation of his early desire to perform.

Separation and upbringing

Jan and Peter separated in 1977, when Robbie was three years old. After the separation, Jan continued raising Robbie in Stoke-on-Trent. She remained a constant presence in his life, while his maternal grandmother, Betty Williams, also played an important supportive role during his childhood.

Extended family

Jan has a daughter, Sally, from a previous relationship. Sally is Robbie’s older half sister. Sally has a son named Freddie, making him Robbie’s nephew. Both have remained largely private, though Robbie has occasionally referenced them as part of his wider family.

Work and independence

Following the end of her marriage, Jan established herself as an independent business owner by running a flower shop in Stoke-on-Trent called Jan’s Bloomers. The shop became locally known. Later, Jan retrained and worked as a drugs counsellor, a role centred on support, recovery and emotional care.

Encouraging Robbie’s career

In 1990, Jan played a decisive role in the launch of Robbie’s career. After seeing an advertisement seeking young male performers, she encouraged her teenage son to audition. Robbie has repeatedly stated that he would not have attended the audition without her insistence. The audition led directly to his selection for Take That.

Relationship during fame

As Robbie’s fame grew rapidly in the early 1990s, Jan remained a steady emotional presence. Robbie has described her as honest, grounding and supportive, particularly during periods of addiction and mental health struggles. Their relationship endured despite the pressures of fame.

Royal Albert Hall reunion

In 2001, during Robbie’s concerts at the Royal Albert Hall associated with his swing era, his mum and dad were in the same room for the first time since their separation in 1977. Robbie later described the moment as emotionally significant, representing a rare point of reconciliation within his family history.

Inspiration for songwriting

Jan has directly inspired Robbie’s songwriting. The song One of God’s Better People was written as a tribute to her, expressing gratitude, respect and affection. Robbie has spoken about the song as an acknowledgement of her moral strength and compassion.

Later years and health

In later years, Robbie has spoken publicly about his mother’s declining health. While specific details have not been made public, he has described the emotional impact of watching her become more fragile, particularly as he reflects on his own role as a parent.

Songs Inspired by Jan Williams