Williams ruling holds up in U.K. courtroom

Singer to pay $1.6 mil to ex-manager

By ERICH BOEHM

LONDON -- Robbie Williams has lost his high court appeal against having to pay commission to his ex-manager, a ruling that could cost the singer as much as $1.6 million.

Before his massive solo success, Williams was a member of Take That, the boy band created by Nigel Martin-Smith in 1990. Williams left the now defunct act acrimoniously in 1995.

In 1997, he was ordered to pay Martin-Smith $147,000 in commission on Take That royalties of $774,000, ironically royalties Williams had waived as part of the deal to get out of his Take That contract. Martin-Smith's cut is now upped to the estimated $1.6 million due to legal costs, tax and additional commission.

Williams, 25, has made no secret of his animosity toward his former manager, including disparaging references in both song and TV appearances. Williams, who is signed to EMI, is currently on tour.