Robbie Williams denied rumours that he was on drugs during his recent X Factor performance.

Robbie insists that the only substance he consumed before taking to the stage, was copious amounts of coffee.

“People are alluding to the fact that I may have been high on something but I can only say I wasn’t – because I wasn’t,” Williams is quoted by The Mirror as saying.

“Unless someone spiked my drink and I would have noticed. I know what various drugs feel like. It’s the same as the deer in headlights, the deer’s not on anything other than fear. I’d had a few coffees before I went on, that’s all.”

On the quality of the performance, he added: “I didn’t feel like the seasoned pro I am. It felt a bit alien. I maybe should’ve done a few other shows before the big one.”