Friends of Robbie Williams have apparently voiced their concern that the pop star is turning into a recluse.

Williams, who now lives in Los Angeles, had been expected to release new material this year but is said to now be confined to his house.

It's not even clear whether he's still dating long-term girlfriend actress Ayda Field.

“I haven’t seen Robbie for ages. The last time I did, he was sporting an awful Robinson Crusoe style beard and looked as if he hadn’t had a bath in days,” a friend told the Daily Star.

Williams' last album, 2006's 'Rudebox', failed to achieve the commercial success of his previous releases after it was poorly received by critics.

(by Jason Gregory)