Confusion surrounds Williams "proposal" 

Source: ONE NewsSinger Robbie Williams arrives at the ARIAs

British singer Robbie Williams "proposed" to his actress girlfriend, Ayda Field, live on Australian radio, but his spokesman then said it was a joke.

Adding to the confusion, Williams' mother Jan later told British radio that the 35-year-old star intended to marry Field "in the not-too-distant future".

Field was in the studio with Williams, 35, for the Kyle and Jackie O show on Australian radio station 2DayFM in Sydney to promote his new album Reality Killed the Video Star.

Presenter Jackie Henderson was telling him that Sydney has a bit of a reputation for proposals with celebrities at which point Williams turned to Field and said: "Is there anyone you want to get married to?"

She replied: "This is so awkward."

To which Williams said: "Will you marry me?"

After a pause, Field, 30, answered: "Yes, I'll marry you."

When asked whether Williams was serious, his London-based spokesman said: "He did say it, but in a jocular manner. They are not engaged."

But the singer's mother Jan later told BBC's Radio 5 Live show: "I'm very excited. I'm really pleased. They've been together for nearly three years, so it's about time."

One of Europe's most successful entertainers, Williams rose to fame as a member of the hit boy band Take That before forging a successful solo career.

The singer, who now lives in Los Angeles, has been out of the public eye in the last few years since he left a US rehabilitation centre in March 2007 where he was treated for prescription drug addiction.

His new album is his first release in three years.