Robbie Williams has revealed that a technical hitch almost ruined his comeback performance on The X Factor last Saturday.

Williams, who was making his first live UK TV appearance in years, was due to appear from behind an automatic sliding door before launching into new single Bodies.

However, the singer has since revealed that he was forced to pull the door open himself when it failed to open.

“I don't know if you saw but I had to wedge it open myself...that wasn't part of the show,” Williams wrote on his blog.

“That was pure brute strength and now heavy nerves shifting something that I probably wouldn't be able to move in the cold light of day.”

The former Take That star, who looked nervous at times on stage, also revealed that he was worried he might forget the lyrics to the song.

“Then the mouth opened and by the grace of the big man himself the right words fell out......Oh praise be! I'm in!,” he said.

After an uncertain start, Williams said the performance felt “electric”, adding: “So happy right now...So pleased...I think the boy's back.”

The singer releases his long-awaited new album Reality Killed The Video Star in November.