It's Blobby Williams

With his out-of-control waistline, vest and tattoos, he looks like the stereotype of the Brit abroad.

Certainly Robbie Williams's massive fan-base will be shocked by the way he appears to have let himself go since his record-breaking Knebworth concerts last year.

Then, he looked every inch the superstar who is regularly voted one of the most desirable men in the world.

But Williams, who turned 30 last month, appears to have returned to his well-documented tendencies towards excess.

He has piled on the pounds - particularly around his stomach and on the tops of his arms - as he works in the U.S. on material for his new album.

Holding a coffee and a packet of cigarettes, he was photographed strolling in the Bel Air district of Los Angeles, where he has a £2.4million mansion.

Despite California's restrictions on smoking in public places, Williams still gets through two packets a day and is also said to be on anti-depressants.

Cutting a lonely figure away from his friends back in the UK, the singer appears to be far from content with his life in the sun.

He has not had a regular girlfriend since he split from Rod Stewart's estranged wife Rachel Hunter more than a year ago.

Williams is due to return to Britain in the next couple of weeks.

Although he has not so far succeeded in cracking America, Williams's last studio album, Escapology, sold 6.5million copies worldwide.

He also enjoyed success with his Knebworth live album, which further enhanced his reported £50million fortune.

But, as they say, money can't buy you happiness.