Robbie Williams looks set to maintain his impressive UK chart record this weekend, with his latest album “Reality Killed the Video Star” on course for the number one slot come Sunday which would make it eight chart-topping studio albums out of eight since he went solo after leaving Take That in the mid-1990s.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for the 35-year-old, whose previous album “Rudebox” was poorly received and recorded sharply lower sales than his previous efforts. He failed to make it big in the key U.S. market and has said he suffered from chronic stage fright — a surprising admission from someone renowned for his cheeky grin and apparently indomitable character.

A statement from his spokesman says Williams is at number one in the midweek album charts in the UK, with over 85,000 copies sold in the country on the first day of release on Monday. It is also number one on the iTunes chart in 16 countries, including Germany, France, Austria and Belgium.

That, however, is not enough to stop the questions about his eventual reunion with Take That, a group which has enjoyed a remarkable comeback of its own in the last few years. Robbie has proved he has what it takes to go it alone, but everyone, it seems, wants to see him back with the band.