Pete Conway, born Peter Williams on Boxing Day in 1943, is best known to the public as the father of global pop superstar Robbie Williams. Yet to describe him only in relation to his famous son would be to overlook a colourful, resilient, and deeply influential life of his own. For more than three decades, Pete Conway carved out a career as a stand-up comedian, singer and all-round entertainer, working the working men’s clubs, pubs and social venues of Britain with warmth, humour and unmistakable showmanship.
Long before Robbie Williams became one of the UK’s biggest musical exports, Pete was already a performer, introducing his young son to the smell of backstage curtains, the thrill of applause, and the magic of entertaining a crowd. Their bond, tested by distance, divorce, and time, later evolved into one of the most publicly affectionate father-son relationships in British pop culture.
As of 2025, Pete Conway’s life has slowed considerably due to Parkinson’s disease, yet his presence remains emotionally central to Robbie’s story. From inspiring a childhood dream to sharing stages around the world and being immortalised in the biopic Better Man, Pete Conway’s legacy is as much about heart as it is about performance.
Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Williams |
| Known As | Pete Conway |
| Date of Birth | 26 December 1943 |
| Age | 81 years old (as of December 2024); turning 82 in late 2025 |
| Birthplace | Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | Approximately average height |
| Hair Colour | Dark brown in youth; grey in later life |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Education | Left school at age 16 |
| College / University | Did not attend university |
| Early Training | Joined the police cadets after leaving school |
| Profession | Former police officer, stand-up comedian, singer, and variety entertainer |
| Years Active | Over 30 years in live entertainment |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Former Spouses | Jan Williams (divorced 1977); Melanie Mills (divorced 2018) |
| Children | One son, Robbie Williams |
| Famous For | Being the father of Robbie Williams and for his long career as a club entertainer |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Current Status | Retired; living privately while managing Parkinson’s disease |
Early Life and Education
Peter Williams was born into post-war Britain in Stoke-on-Trent, a city shaped by industry, resilience, and strong community ties. Growing up in Staffordshire during the 1940s and 1950s, Pete experienced a working-class upbringing where humour, music, and social gatherings played a vital role in everyday life. From an early age, he showed a natural confidence and an ability to hold the attention of family and friends, whether telling jokes, singing popular songs, or performing impressions.
School did not particularly inspire him academically, but it did help shape his social confidence. Pete was far more interested in people than paperwork, and his charisma stood out even as a teenager. Leaving school at 16 was not unusual for boys of his generation, and Pete chose a practical path by joining the police cadets. The discipline and structure of police work suited him in some respects, but his heart was never fully in uniform.
Music, comedy, and performance remained constant interests, simmering beneath the surface as he fulfilled his duties as a young officer. Those early years taught him self-control, observational skills, and resilience, all of which would later serve him well on stage.
Personal and Family Life
Pete Conway’s personal life has been marked by deep affection, separation, and enduring bonds. In the early 1970s, he married Jan Williams, and together they welcomed their son, Robert Peter Williams, known to the world as Robbie Williams, in February 1974. The marriage, however, was short-lived, and Pete and Jan divorced in 1977 when Robbie was just three years old.
The separation meant that Robbie grew up primarily with his mother, while Pete pursued his career in entertainment. Despite the physical distance, Pete remained a powerful emotional presence in his son’s life. Robbie often spent weekends and summer holidays with his father, particularly during the years when Pete was actively performing. These visits would prove transformative.
Pete later remarried Melanie Mills, and although this relationship also ended in divorce in 2018, it represented another chapter of companionship and stability in his adult life. Pete has no other children, and his identity as a father is inseparable from his relationship with Robbie, a bond that has grown stronger and more publicly visible with time.
Career Journey
Pete Conway’s professional life took a decisive turn when he left the police force to pursue entertainment full-time. Taking the stage name Pete Conway, he embraced the vibrant world of British club entertainment, a demanding circuit that demanded versatility, stamina, and the ability to connect instantly with audiences.
During the 1970s, Pete became the landlord of the Red Lion pub in Burslem, a role that blended hospitality with performance. Pubs were central social hubs, and Pete quickly became known for transforming ordinary evenings into memorable events through music, jokes, and sing-alongs. He later became a licensee at the Port Vale Social Club, where his reputation as a dependable, crowd-pleasing entertainer continued to grow.
For more than thirty years, Pete Conway worked as a stand-up comedian and singer, performing classics, delivering comedy routines, and embodying the traditional British entertainer. He never achieved national celebrity, but within the club circuit, he was respected, booked regularly, and loved by audiences who appreciated his warmth and accessibility.
Most importantly, his career provided young Robbie with a front-row seat to the world of show business. Watching his father command a room, handle difficult crowds, and still perform with joy left a lasting impression.
Relationship with Robbie Williams
Few celebrity relationships feel as genuinely affectionate as that between Robbie Williams and his father. Known fondly as “Poppa Pete”, Pete has appeared alongside Robbie on multiple world tours and Las Vegas residencies, often to thunderous applause. Their on-stage duets of songs like “Sweet Caroline” and “That’s Life” are not polished pop performances but heartfelt celebrations of family, nostalgia, and shared history.
Robbie has spoken openly about how spending time backstage with his father during childhood ignited his passion for performing by the age of eleven. Pete’s influence extended beyond technique, teaching Robbie resilience, humour, and how to read a crowd. While their relationship was complicated by absence during Robbie’s early years, adulthood brought reconciliation, closeness, and mutual admiration.
This bond has now been permanently captured in popular culture through the biopic Better Man, released across 2024 and 2025, in which actor Steve Pemberton portrays Pete Conway. The film presents Pete as a central emotional figure, highlighting his influence, flaws, and humanity.
Life Challenges and Turning Points
Pete Conway’s life has not been without hardship. Leaving a stable career in the police to pursue entertainment was a significant risk, one that required belief in his abilities and acceptance of financial uncertainty. His divorces, particularly from Robbie’s mother, marked emotionally difficult periods and shaped the family dynamic for decades.
One of the most profound challenges came in 2020, when it was publicly revealed that Pete had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The progressive neurological condition gradually limited his mobility and independence, forcing a dramatic shift from his previously active lifestyle.
For a man whose identity was built around performance and movement, the diagnosis represented a painful turning point. Yet, with Robbie’s support, Pete faced the illness with dignity, humour, and resilience.
Current Life and Health in 2025
As of 2025, Pete Conway is largely housebound and often bedbound due to the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Robbie Williams has spoken candidly about his father’s declining health, sharing both sadness and gratitude for the time they still have together.
In August 2025, Pete made a deeply moving appearance in a wheelchair to watch Robbie perform in Newcastle, an act that resonated strongly with fans. The moment symbolised endurance, love, and the unbreakable bond between father and son.
Pete no longer works and maintains a quiet, private life, supported by family and carers. He does not have a public social media presence and prefers to remain out of the spotlight, except when appearing alongside Robbie.
Net Worth and Financial Status
Pete Conway’s net worth has never been publicly disclosed, and unlike his son, he has never lived a lavish celebrity lifestyle. His income came primarily from decades of steady work in entertainment and earlier employment in the police force.
While Pete is not independently wealthy, he has lived comfortably, and his son, Robbie Williams, whose estimated net worth is around £300 million, ensures that his father is well cared for. Financially, Pete’s life reflects stability rather than excess, grounded in hard work rather than fame.
Public Image and Media Presence
To the public, Pete Conway is seen as warm, funny, and deeply human. Fans often remark on the physical resemblance between him and Robbie, particularly in their smiles and expressive eyes. Media portrayals tend to frame him as the heart behind the star, a man whose influence runs deeper than headlines suggest.
Stories of Pete joining Robbie on stage or being mentioned affectionately in interviews have cemented his image as one of the most beloved celebrity fathers in British pop culture.
Fun Facts and Anecdotes
Pete Conway once said that the hardest audience he ever faced was not a noisy pub, but his teenage son. He has joked that Robbie inherited both his talent and his stubborn streak. During one Las Vegas performance, Pete forgot a lyric on stage, prompting Robbie to laugh and hug him mid-song, a moment fans still share online.
Despite decades on stage, Pete has always claimed that his proudest role was not as an entertainer, but as a dad.
Conclusion
Pete Conway’s life is a story of courage, creativity, and connection. From a working-class childhood in Stoke-on-Trent to decades under the stage lights, and finally to a quieter chapter marked by illness and reflection, his journey mirrors the highs and lows of a life fully lived.
Though history may remember him best as Robbie Williams’ father, Pete Conway’s true legacy lies in the confidence he inspired, the joy he spread, and the love he shared. In every note Robbie sings and every crowd he commands, a piece of Pete Conway’s spirit lives on.
READ MORE: Francis Bourgeois Biography: Age, Career, Net Worth & Personal Life
(FAQs)
Who is Pete Conway?
Pete Conway, born Peter Williams, is a former British comedian and singer best known as the father of pop star Robbie Williams.
When was Pete Conway born?
He was born on 26 December 1943 in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Was Pete Conway married?
Yes, he was married twice, first to Jan Williams and later to Melanie Mills. Both marriages ended in divorce.
Does Pete Conway have children?
He has one son, Robbie Williams.
What is Pete Conway doing now?
As of 2025, Pete is retired and living privately while managing Parkinson’s disease, supported closely by his family.