'I have a very big soft spot for Nic'
Robbie, 39 – who was once engaged to Nicole himself – told a UK newspaper he still has a soft spot for the former All Saints star.
Now married to actress Ayda Field with whom he has a one-year-old daughter Teddy, Robbie said: ‘I have a very big soft spot for Nic because she’s a very decent person.
‘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.’
‘Nicole really doesn’t deserve all that from Liam'
Nicole is going through a divorce with Liam after five years of marriage following news that he had a secret love child with US journalist Liza Ghorbani. The former Oasis frontman is now said to be living with his ex-manager Debbie Gwyther.
‘Nicole really doesn’t deserve all that from Liam. I’ve very, very fond memories of her. She’s a sweetie,’ Robbie added.
Robbie and Nicole had an on-off relationship in the late 90s after meeting at a recording of Top Of The Pops in 1997 - they were engaged the following year.
In 2002, Nicole revealed in her book that she had aborted Robbie’s child.
The former Take That star is now father to one-year-old Teddy, who he shares with wife Ayda.
Gushing over his first daughter, Robbie told the newspaper: ‘Ayda and I are incredibly proud of her. We think she’s amazing — and I can’t believe I am saying that.
‘But everyone loves her and thinks she’s a genius. I just want her to be happy.
‘She doesn’t have to be superwoman or advanced, as long as she’s happy, though she’s definitely going to be posh. Now that is weird.’