Don't take that: Williams fighting court ruling

When you're famous, everyone wants a part of you.

The latest example is British pop sensation Robbie Williams. Summarily fired from boy band Take That in 1995, Williams was recently in court fighting a ruling forcing him to pay his ex-manager, Nigel Martin-Smith.

Martin-Smith demanded - and was awarded in a high court ruling sixteen months ago - £90,000 in commission from Williams under the terms of a management agreement signed in 1990, when Take That formed. Martin-Smith, conversely, is accused of forcing Williams out of the band by "encouraging other band members to issue him an ultimatum" over his then-lifestyle.

According to Dotmusic, the recent court appearance heard of the ex-manager's dislike for Williams, "whom he considered a 'troublemaker.'"

Apparently, Williams' highly publicized bout of drink and drugs did not sit well with the clean image of Take That. Williams' 'debauchery' culminated in his 1995 appearance onstage with Oasis at Glastonbury. He was fired from Take That the next week.

QC Michael Silverlake told the court, "[Williams] needed a mentor but Mr Martin-Smith saw him as difficult. It was his intention he be ejected from the group."

After he left the band, Williams eventually signed a record contract with Chrysalis/EMI. His first solo single was a cover of George Michael's 'Freedom 90' which was a thinly veiled attack at his situation with Take That.

He eventually released a debut album in 1997 - 'Life Thru A Lens' - which spawned the career saving single 'Angels'. At last month's Brit Awards, Williams' took home three awards - solo artist, single ('Angels') and video ('Millennium').

Conversely, Williams' ex-band mates have not fared so well. Gary Barlow released a rather forgettable solo effort entitled 'Open Roads'. Mark Owen also briefly sat in the spotlight with his solo effort.