Robbie Williams turned up to watch his Brits rival James Blunt do what he has yet to achieve – conquer America.In just 90 minutes newcomer James had Hollywood stars eating out of his hand in LA with a gig at the House Of Blues. Robbie, competing with James for Best Male at next week’s Brits, was among the VIP guests dancing in the stalls at the Sunset Strip rock venue.James, who is up for an impressive Five gongs at the Brits, has got the Yanks to fall in love with his debut album without even trying. His hit You’re Beautiful is already at No8 in the Billboard chart, his Back To Bedlam album is at No9 and climbing and the gig sold out in seconds.Robbie tried — and failed — to crack the US countless times and has now given up. He turned up at James’s show with Shakira on his arm and stayed backstage to party with James after the gig.

Other famous names dancing in the aisles were Friends star Matthew Perry, The OC’s Mischa Barton and Elisha Cuthber, from tv’s 24.Other famous names dancing in the aisles were Friends star Matthew Perry, The OC’s Mischa Barton and Elisha Cuthber, from tv’s 24.

Three women in the front row clutched balloons with “We love James” scribbled on them.

Joking about his ballads, the singer told the crowd: “I know you came here to have some fun — so that’s why I’m going to play as many miserable songs as I can.”

James, who was a captain in the Army and served in Kosovo, made the cheeky comment before singing No Bravery.

Images of war-ravaged villages were shown on a big screen behind him.

Later he asked the crowd: “Who knows Hotel California?”

When everyone responded with cheers — hoping that he would sing the famous Eagles hit — James said: “I’m sorry but I don’t — but I do know this one.” Then he launched into an upbeat version of So Long, Jimmy.

There could only have been one encore — You’re Beautiful — and as the crowd sang every line, James looked gobsmacked.

It is just two weeks since he was on US TV’s mega-show Saturday Night Live — and it seems he has already won over America.

This weekend he returns to the UK, where Robbie Williams could be forced to hand over his reign as King Of The Brits.