Robbie Williams and Nicole Appleton dated for around nine months, after meeting each other on the set of Top Of The Pops in 1997.
In Netflix's new documentary about the chart-topper, he reflected on his time with the All Saints singer and also talked about proposing to her – but it was not to be, and they eventually broke up.
After their split, Nicole went on to date Oasis star Liam Gallagher, who himself was part of a high-profile feud with Robbie Williams.
Liam and Nicole married in 2008 after eight years together having welcomed their son in 2001, but they divorced in 2014.
Related: What was Robbie Williams' relationship with Spice Girls' Geri Halliwell?
Following the announcement of her split from the Oasis singer, Robbie spoke in an interview about his continued fondness for Nicole.
"I have a very big soft spot for Nic because she's a very decent person," he told The Sun.
"I feel sorry for her as she deserves to be in a good place, in a happy marriage, and I thought she was with Liam. But it would appear that they weren't."
"I've very, very fond memories of her," Robbie added. "She's a sweetie."
Nicole Appleton is now married to Stephen Haines, and the pair welcomed a baby daughter in 2020. It was a surprise for fans, as the couple had not announced their pregnancy prior to the birth.
In a post on Instagram, Nicole wrote: "After hiding my pregnancy for the last 9 months...which was SOOOOO difficult & keeping her a secret from all my friends...I can finally announce our incredible news!!
"Our little girl 'Skipper Hudson Haines' has arrived Stephen & Gene are besotted!!! I'm SOOO HAPPY!!"
Related: Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow now: Is their feud over with?
Meanwhile, Robbie is now married to Days of Our Lives actress Ayda Field, and the couple share four children.
Robbie opened up about his first meeting with Ayda during the Netflix documentary series, and she also appears in interviews to offer insights into their relationship. They are believed to have started dating in 2006, and married in their Beverly Hills home four years later.
In 2018, Ayda joined her husband as a judge on The X Factor UK, but the couple quit the show the following year.
Robbie Williams' documentary is available on Netflix.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
