Robbie Williams thinks living in Los Angeles is good therapy.

The hitmaker – who has been in rehab several times to be treated for alcohol and drug addiction – thinks the city is much more understanding and accepting of his problems and believes he would find recovery harder if he had stayed in the UK.

He said: 'I can say it's easier in Los Angeles – everybody talks therapy out there. There's a much better understanding of addiction, depression and ailments in general. There's very much a stiff upper lip in England.

'These days people are softening, people are going to Alcoholics Anonymous and rehab, but it's taken us a long time to stop the stiff upper lip.'

The 36-year-old star also credited his relationship with actress Ayda Field as helping him recover from his problems.

He told Britain's OK! magazine: 'It's a perfect headline and I don't say it because it sounds trite but she certainly hasn't hindered my recovery process and my mental stability. She's wonderful.'

The former Take That star also admitted he has considered writing a book about his experiences of stardom – but can't remember certain periods of his life.

He added: 'I would write one if I could remember. There have been a couple of trips to rehab so I've done a few brain cells in and lost a few memories.'