Jemma Williamson spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview about her viral callout to Robbie Williams that has reached the Angels singer 35 years later
13:22, 06 Feb 2026Updated 13:36, 06 Feb 2026
Jemma Williamson in the 1990s at the height of her Take That fandom(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
A week ago today, Jemma Williamson had no idea a throwaway comment she made as a teenager would go on to dominate headlines and become one of the viral moments of the year. The 48-year-old teacher from Greasby has been thrown into the limelight after she featured in a standout scene of the new Take That documentary, which landed on Netflix last week.
In the never before seen archive footage, Jemma is part of a group of adoring fans outside HMV in Chester in the early 1990s. The then 14-year-old seizes her opportunity in front of camera crews to reach out to Robbie Williams as she shares her number and said he can call her at any time. It’s taken 35 years, but Jemma’s message has finally reached the Angels singer as he posted a clip on his Instagram channel trying to phone the number, which has since been viewed over 3.3m times and counting.
Jemma was alerted to her inclusion in the documentary by a friend, which set in motion an incredible turn of events that has led to articles in numerous magazines, an appearance on Scott Mills BBC Radio show and Good Morning Britain. Jemma told the ECHO in an exclusive interview that the past week has been “mental” as her viral fame is still sinking in.
She said: “It’s mad because I’m a teacher so I’ve been going to school everyday. I’ve been doing radio interviews in my kitchen, then going to work and seeing the kids. Today I had to get permission from the headteacher to go on Good Morning Britain and it’s just wild.
“I’m still getting comments from the Instagram post I did. I’ve had so many messages and it’s all been so positive.” Jemma grew up in the Wirral and doesn’t remember how she first become aware about Take That’s album signing at HMV Chester when the mania around the pop group was gathering speed.
Jemma Williamson at ITV studios for Good Morning Britain today
She said: “14-year-old me must have read it in Smash Hits and then decided she was going. I got the bus from the Wirral to Chester. It took me an hour and a half.”
Jemma used public transport because her dad wasn’t able to give her a lift and was dealt heartbreak when she arrived to be told the signing was already full. However, she was determined to not miss the opportunity to get a glimpse of the boyband, which also includes Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald.
She added: “There were too many girls so I stood around the back waiting for the boys to come out of HMV. And there was camera crews there because they were doing a fan video, which they brought out a VHS of in the 90s. I was on that, but not speaking.
“I was dancing around because they had us singing and they were chatting to us for a fan video they were doing.” While Jemma remembers being filmed, she doesn’t recall saying the now iconic call out that has brought her to the nation’s attention.
She added: “I remember being filmed, but I was 14. I knew I chatted some s**t, but I didn’t know I said that. It was just a sassy 14-year-old throwaway comment. And, lo and behold, boom.” Robbie failed to get in touch with Jemma on the video posted last weekend, and she confirmed he was missing the 0151 area code, but the old landline number is now inactive anyway.
She laughed: “I wouldn’t have put the area code because I only ever rung my mates and they all lived in the Wirral. I never needed to use it so I never thought to put the area code in front of the number.”
Jemma was also keen to correct a Netflix mistake in her chat with the ECHO as she pointed out a misquote in the subtitles of the now viral video. She added: “On all the press and on all the stories, they have quoted me as saying. [Robbie is] my favourite, he’s got gorgeous thighs and a great body. I didn’t say thighs, I said eyes, but obviously Netflix subtitles doesn’t do Scouse.
“On his video, he’s got the subtitles up on it and it says thighs. Well I didn’t. I thought it was quite funny they didn’t get the accent right.”
Robbie is arriving in Jemma’s home region tonight as he is playing an intimate show at the Liverpool Olympia. However, the teacher relocated to Wolverhampton after university and has her fingers crossed she may get an invite when the Feel singer’s tour arrives in her current home city on Monday.
She said: “Who knows what’s going to happen next? Nothing surprises me now, but we’ll see. I can’t have put it out there any more. I’ve told him enough times. I’ve even invited him around for tea, so I’m trying my best.”
For now, Jemma is enjoying her viral fame and said her 14-year-old self would be screaming if she knew her teenage pop hysteria would go on to capture the nation’s attention over three decades on. She said: “I’m just thinking, let’s make the most of it because next week everyone will be talking about someone else. I might as well enjoy it when I can.”