Angels singer Robbie Williams has been presented with the freedom of his home city Stoke-on-Trent at a private ceremony.
The Take That member and Rock DJ crooner was granted the highest civic honour the city can bestow by Lord Mayor Majid Khan at a family celebration last night.
‘Stoke-on-Trent made me. My humour, my cheeky chappie bit, that's all from here. Cut me and it's through me like a stick of rock,’ Williams said.
‘I am delighted to have received the great honour of the Freedom of the City of Stoke-on-Trent.’
The award marks the culmination of city-wide celebrations of Williams’ 40th birthday, which have included the unveiling of a blue heritage plaque at the street on which he grew up.
Council leader Mohammed Pervez, who witnessed the signing of the register, said: ‘Robbie has made a tremendous contribution to the music industry and to charities, and despite achieving global stardom, his roots remain very much embedded in Stoke-on-Trent.
‘He has raised the profile of our city nationally and internationally, and this accolade places him firmly as one of our city’s most high profile ambassadors.’