Robbie Williams has revealed that he gave away one of his Brits to footballer Wayne Rooney.

The singer, 42, already had a haul of 17 Brits before he was recently anointed a Brits Icon.

But asked about his trophies, Williams told Radio Times magazine: “I’ve given them away.

“Dad’s got one, my mum’s got a couple, Wayne Rooney’s got one…”

He added: “I was stoned and Wayne got injured in a match, and I shouted to my manager (in a slurred voice): ‘Michael, will you send a Brit to Wayne Rooney… Tell him to get better from me…’

“It was like those shopping decisions you make on Amazon when you’re on Ambien (a sleeping pill). But it was well intentioned, and he sent me a pair of signed football boots. So, good deal!”

The singer has been crowned the most successful British solo act in official chart history but admitted that he has struggled to get some big names to work with him.

He also wished “good luck” to Harry Styles, after discovering that the One Direction star, who is pursuing a solo career, had not had the same difficulties.

He said: “Last year I tried to work with Bruno Mars – didn’t hear anything back. Tried to work with (Swedish hitmaker) Max Martin – didn’t hear anything back. They literally didn’t return my calls.

“Then I met Harry Styles in an airport. ‘Oh, you’re writing, Harry? Great, who with?’ He goes: ‘Well, I just spent a week with Bruno Mars, and I’m about to spend a week with Max Martin.’”

Robbie said he tried to put on a generous face and added to Harry: “You’re the new me. Good luck!”

He told the magazine: “I think Harry Styles has beguiled the whole world just by being Harry Styles. He’s got a David Beckham-style quality. So he’s won in that regard.”

But Robbie cautioned: “There’s a space for him but the music has to be great.”