Robbie Williams looking sharp during a video shoot for his comeback album robbiewilliams.com

ROBBIE WILLIAMS is asking fans to prepare for "something cosmic" as he unveils his long-awaited comeback single today.

The track, Bodies, was played on radio stations around the UK from 8am but the pop star delivered it in person to The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1.

After two and a half years away from the charts, Williams announced earlier this month that he planned to release a new single and album.

The Stoke-on-Trent singer told Radio 1 listeners to be prepared for "something cosmic to happen" when the track was played.

"It's a grower, man," he joked. "No, it's instant. I think it's instant, otherwise it's a two-player.

"Yeah, I'm really good at promotion."

"I'm at a turning point in my career. This next record decides my path"

Bodies will be available for download on 11 October and in the shops a day later, with his album Reality Killed The Video Star out on 9 November.

Williams, 35, has not released a single since She's Madonna in March 2007 or an album since Rudebox in October 2006, which received mixed reviews.

He said: "I'm at a turning point in my career. This next record decides my path. I'm a bit scared, because I haven't done anything for three years, but then again, I'm always scared when an album comes out - that's just me."

The new single and album were both produced by Trevor Horn, the legendary producer who in his younger days was one half of electro-pop duo The Buggles.

The Buggles wrote and recorded number one hit Video Killed The Radio Star - the first song ever played on MTV - and the inspiration for the title of Williams' new album.

Since leaving Take That in 1996, Williams has enjoyed huge success as a solo artist: he has had six number one singles, every one of his UK studio albums has reached number one in the charts and he has sold a total of 55million records around the world.

The label said the 12 new tracks were mostly written in Williams' home studio in Los Angeles and recorded in London.