Robbie Williams attacked on stage

Robbie Williams: Carried on with the show

Pop star Robbie Williams was attacked and thrown from the stage in front of thousands of German fans on Wednesday night.

A man charged at Williams from behind during a gig in Stuttgart's Schleyerhalle stadium knocking the singer more than five feet into a security pit.

A spokesman for Williams said the 27-year-old star was not seriously hurt and went on to perform a further six songs and finish the set.

Police said the 20-year-old attacker, believed to be suffering from psychiatric problems, was grabbed by security staff before being arrested.

He was being held on Wednesday in a secure psychiatric clinic while the public prosecutor considered whether to bring assault charges.

Backstage

A police spokesman said: "A 20-year-old man managed to get from the auditorium into the backstage area of the Schleyerhalle at around 10.05 pm last night.

The incident happened at a packed gig

"He got onto the stage while Robbie Williams was singing, ran at him from behind and pushed him in the back.

"Robbie Williams did not see him coming, as he was concentrating on the song and the audience, and he fell from the stage into the security area."

He said the band's guitarist had tried to seize the attacker, who also fell into the security area.

"Robbie Williams climbed back onto the stage and was able to carry on without a break. He was only lightly injured and did not require the attentions of a doctor before continuing the concert."

The attacker was not said to be carrying a weapon.

Williams's spokesman added: "We believe that he thought the Robbie was on stage was a clone and he wanted to try and prove it."