|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM NOW ON ALL NEW ARTICLES WILL BE PLACED AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE!*
Article from CapitalFM.com
Pop Idol winner Will Young has launched the festive celebrations in the run-up to Christmas by switching on London's Regent
Street lights.
Fans packed the shopper's haven to watch his guest appearance.
The star entertained the crowds by singing You And I and Don't Let Me Down from his new double A-side single recorded in aid
of BBC's Children In Need.
As he pulled the switch, fake snow and coloured ticker tape fluttered into the street.
Dressed in a long brown coat and green trousers, Will, who shot to fame this year in ITV1's talent contest Pop Idol, thanked
the public for their support.
Speaking from a specially created stage at the junction of New Burlington Street and Regent Street, he said he had enjoyed
creating his new single for Children In Need, adding: "It's been brilliant and I've done lots of stuff with the show.
"It's just been wonderful I do think the show tomorrow will be fantastic."
After switching on the lights, he sang a short rendition of Walking In A Winter Wonderland. The crowd, waving lights, swayed
along to the music.
DJ Mark Goodier compered the free street party and the band United Colours of Sound supported Will.
Verity Hars, 18, and her mother Jill, from Basildon, Essex, attended the event especially to see the Pop Idol singer. "He's
just fantastic and really handsome and lovely," said Verity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coldplay, Ms Dynamite and Will Young each up for three TOTP awards-ananova.com
Coldplay, Ms Dynamite and Will Young lead the way in this year's Top Of The Pops Award nominations.
Ms Dynamite is up for top newcomer, top album and top R'n'B artist, while Will is nominated for top newcomer, top single and
top pop.
Coldplay are nominated for top rock, top tour and top album.
Gareth Gates is up against Will in two categories - top newcomer along with The Streets, Holly Valance, and Ms Dynamite, and
top pop, against Atomic Kitten, Blue and Sugababes.
Ronan Keating will host the ceremony at the Manchester Evening News Arena on November 29, with performances from Kylie, Ms
Dynamite, Will Young, Gareth Gates, Craig David, Blue and Moby.
It will be shown on BBC1 on Saturday November 30.
Fans can vote in all the categories by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/totp.
POP THE QUESTION
Starsign:Capricorn
Fav Animal:Cheetah
Fav Drink:Barkspears Bitter
Fav Food:Bacon Sarnies
Fav Film:Remains of the day
Fav Song:Long and Affection by Joan Armatrading
Fav TV Show:Eastenders
Fav Pop Idol Judge:Foxy-he makes me laugh
Fav International Pop Idol:Lauren Hill
Last Book you read:The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch
Last Time you cried:When Hayley left
Last time you got angry:A few weeks ago-I was angry at myself
Last time you got frightened:Leaving the studios last weekend with girls screaming at me
Last person you kissed:My dog Bentely
Who is your best mate?Adam and Camilla and of course the gang here
Biggest Phobia:Heights
Last thing you do at night:Brush my teeth
Something about you people don't know:I captained the school atheletics team
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Winner Will Speaks,his first interview,Heat Mag
The look on Will's Face said it all. When Ant announced that the 23-year-old had been voted the winner of Pop Idol, his jaw
dropped in amazement. He was stunned. After all, Will's rival Gareth Gates had been the the bookies' favourite since the very
early stages and many believed the final result was a foregone conclusion in the 17 -year-old's favour.
But as Will launched into an emotional version of Evergreen moments later, the star quality that made him a worthy winner
shone through. He now faces an amazing future business with a guaranteed Number One hit when his single is released on the
25th February.
So here it is, the first magazine interview with the winner…
How do you feel? [Grinning] I am absolutely ecstatic. I’ve always wanted to do this and throughout the competition it felt
more and more right. I am so ready for it. I am just up for it massively.
What was going through your mind just before Ant announced the result? Well he said what the votes were and I thought, “I
am second and I have lost by that much”. I just though, “Oh well, that’s not bad.” I promise that’s what I thought. I felt
isolated- then when I heard I’d won it was like I suddenly woke up. [Laughs] It felt like I’d been hit. I could not believe
it.
At what point in the competition did you actually stop and think, “I could win this”? I suppose getting to the last ten. I
don’t think you would enter a competition like this unless you thought you could win it. But there’s a difference between
proving you can win it and thinking you can win it.
What’s the moment in the series that you’re most proud of? It was during the heats, when I spoke my mind to Simon. That was
good.
Was there any moment when you thought, “I could do better”? I cringe at my first audition [Will performed a song and dance
routine to Blame It On The Boogie] but I’m still kind of proud of it. Just for walking in that room if nothing else. That
was so scary.
Yet few people can actually remember you getting through the initial stages. Yeah, I was in the “maybe” room [to get into
the final 50]. We had to wait three-and-a-half hours. We heard the other two rooms cheering and I was thinking, “There’s no
way I’m through”. Then Simon came in and said “I’m sorry…” [big dramatic pause] “…to keep you waiting.” I just thought, “You’re
evil!” And I burst into tears.
What was the moment when you most surprised yourself during the series? Again, I think it was standing up to Simon. I suppose
I was lucky because I’ve been trained to disagree with people in a polite way, having done politics at university. I think
I was surprised how it came out because I forgot what I said until I watched it back and then I was like, “Ooh yes! I like
that!”
Are you planning to make any changes to your image now you’re a bona fide pop idol? I haven’t been to the gym for quite a
while and I’d like to get fit again. When I was at college I was dancing every other day so I do feel a bit unfit. I swim
once a week at the moment, which is a bit bad. I normally run but I can’t stand running in the winter.
Of all of the songs that you sang in the final ten shows, which do you think you could have a Number One hit with? Probably
the Bill Withers track Ain’t No Sunshine. I’d like to think Light My Fire (the song will sang in the show) but it’d probably
be the Bill Withers.
That was a great version though. [Laughs] Yeah, I don’t know what happened with that really. Everything just sort of took
over.
What are you going to buy with your first million? I’m going to get a new Mini! [Laughs] My first car was a Mini and I absolutely
love them.
Are you prepared for how much your life is going to change now? Whatever bad times and good times are coming my way, I am
ready for them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Winner Will is Posh Idol,The Sun,12th Feb
Britain's newest pop heart-throb Will Young is having to come to terms with fame – but he is no stranger to fortune.
The 23-year-old who won the Pop Idol final on Saturday night is set to earn millions from his music career. But we can reveal
that Will has already enjoyed a life of luxury — unlike his working-class Pop Idol rival Gareth Gates, who lives in a Bradford
terrace and whose dad is a postman.
Will and his twin brother Rupert boarded at posh Horris Hill prep school from the age of eight until they were 13.
The red-brick building, which sits in secluded Berkshire countryside just south of Newbury, currently charges fees of £13,000
a year.
Headmaster Nigel Chapman recalled: “Will was a good all-rounder and head chorister while he was here.”
After Horris Hill, Will went to one of the most prestigious public schools in the country — Wellington College in nearby Crowthorne
— whose old boys include TV comedian Rory Bremner.
The college’s annual fee for boarders is nearly £18,000, which means that unless Will won a scholarship, his wealthy dad Robin
has paid out £155,000 for his schooling, at current prices.
Wellington College’s imposing 150-year-old building is a far cry from the glitz of Pop Idol.
The pupils — 750 boys and just 50 girls — wear regulation blazers and ties as they enter the college through a grand courtyard.
Rackets and rugby are the order of the day, while the music being promoted in the college reception is cello playing and classical
compositions.
Will himself started learning the piano when he was nine and stuck at it for four years.
Apart from music, he was also very keen on art, photography and dance and enjoyed biology at school.
He has said: “Music is my No1 passion but if it doesn’t work out I’d like to become a zoologist.”
Despite Will’s top-notch education, dad Robin, 51, reckons his Pop Idol son was no glittering academic. He said: “He wasn’t
interested in passing exams — he was more interested in experimentation. “He was very disappointed with his A-level grades
and he enrolled to re-take them at Oxford sixth-form college. “He got himself a restaurant job in Oxford. He set himself a
target and that’s what he wanted to achieve. He’s a man who sets his own objectives and went for it.”
After taking his exams again, Will went to Exeter University where he read politics, then studied drama at a college in West
London.
His dad’s wealth comes from an engineering company which he owns in Lambourn, Berks, and a part-share in a pub, the Pheasant
Inn at nearby Shefford Woodlands.
He is married to Annabel, 49, a nursery gardener, and counts former Conservative Cabinet minister David Mellor among his friends.
A pal said: “Robin tends to play down his wealth and success but he has done well for himself.”
In fact, Robin’s business brain has provided his family with a £500,000 home in the beautiful Berkshire countryside and allowed
his two sons their privileged upbringing.
Before Will’s Pop Idol win, Robin said: “I’ll support him in his decision as long as it doesn’t interfere with our lives too
much.
“It really hit us how much things had changed when we were called up by firm recently offering us advice on security, should
Will become famous.”
Meanwhile, mum Annabel is keen to maintain her privacy in the face of her lad’s fame. She said: “It’s William’s thing. We’re
really not keen to be involved.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Will's the winner (but Simon would have preferred Gareth),Now Mag, 20th Feb
Some weeks back, before Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman lost the plot and come out with things ‘I’m going to throw a Spaniard
in the works’ and ‘I’m British and I love you,’ he told an amazed Will Young: ‘The bad news is that you’re no Pop Idol, son.
The good news is you’re a superstar.’
Simon Cowell tends to agree. On the show, he congratulated the winner Will, admitting that in the past he’d been wrong about
him and that he was a superstar. But afterwards the man whose company will release Will’s first double A-sided single said:
‘the final vote has been irrelevant. Gareth is THE major Pop Idol to come out of the show. He’ll become a star as sure as
night follows day and I’ve always known it.’
On Saturday night, 15 million viewers tuned in to see the final between bookies’ favourite Gareth Gates, the baby-faced Bradford
lad with the stammer, and Exeter University graduate Will Young. The phone votes poured in and, although the lead changed
several times, by the final cut-off Will had 4.6 million votes to Gareth’s 4.1 million.
It was an emotional moment when Ant and Dec made the announcement. Will clasped his hands to his face as tears sprang from
his eyes. Gareth looked stunned, but recovered to give his friend and rival a hug and haltingly describe him as ‘awesome’.
Former Pop Idol finalists stormed the stage and Darius Danesh, who was voted out of the show last week, bore Will aloft on
his shoulders. In his first interview, Will – whose huge, trademark smile was stretched to record-breaking width – said: ‘I’m
getting as drunk as a skunk tonight. I’ve hardly had a drink while I’ve been on the show, but tonight I’m going to make up
for it. I’ll have a huge hangover by the time you read this.
‘I find it amazing that people have picked up phone and voted for me. I’d never set foot in a recording studio before Pop
Idol and I’ve absolutely loved it. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do and it’s just amazing because it feels so right. I can’t
believe what’s happened to me- It’s a dream come true. I’m still shaking. It’s unbelievable.'
Will told how he almost didn’t fill in the Pop Idol entry form after seeing it in a national newspaper.
‘I didn’t fill it in at first because I didn’t think I had a chance of winning. But the paper stayed there through Sunday
and Monday and I kept thinking: “Shall I or shan’t I?” In the end, I grabbed a pen, filled it in and sent it off. ‘I had to
do it quickly or my nerve would have failed me and I’d have screwed it up and thrown it in the bin.’
Will’s grin widened as he remembered another form he once filled in. ‘The university sent me a form asking about my ambitions.
I said jokingly that it was to play at Wembley.’
Next month, he’ll star at Wembley Arena with the other finalists from the show. ‘It’s so far from what I’m used to that I
have to pinch myself,’ he said.
For the final show, both Will and Gareth sang Evergreen and Anything Is Possible. The two songs will now be released as a
double A-side featuring Will.
The Pop Idol judges were even-handed in their praise for both finalists. Even Simon Cowell, who’d expressed reservations about
Will in the past, told him: ‘I was wrong earlier and I’m totally happy to admit it. You deserve your place here. You’re a
superstar. Congratulations.’
By the time Ant and Dec returned to announce the winner two hours later, the tension was unbearable.
Will said: ‘When Ant and Dec said that it was really close, I just thought: “Oh well, I’ve come second. At least I haven’t
lost by that much.” But when they said I’d won, there was this feeling of being totally isolated.
‘I could feel my legs turn to jelly. They’re still wobbly now. When I realised it was me who’d won it took probably a second
to sink in, but it seemed like minutes.
‘Ant and Dec grabbed me to say congratulations. That was a good think because if they hadn’t, I’d have slipped to the floor
in shock.’
Speaking of his rival Gareth, Will said: ‘I want to say that Gareth was fantastic tonight. He’s got so much talent and I’m
sure we’ll be seeing a lot of him in the future.
‘We became good friends in the closing weeks of Pop Idol, as we kept seeing others voted off and realised it was getting very
close between us. We’re definitely going to stay in contact. I wish him all the very best in the world.’
Although people are already talking about the millions Will is going to make, for the present he still lives with his mates
in typical student style in Exeter. He says that, during the past weeks, his friends have at least has a break from his constant
singing in the shower.
He’s determined to stay grounded. ‘I know they say money changes you as a person, but I’m not going to go down that road.
I’m surrounded by a brilliant family and group of friends. Being a millionaire will never change the way I am to these people.’
But last week Will wanted a new toothbrush and was amazed when one of his entourage said: ‘Don’t worry, I’ll get it for you.’
He’s not really adjusted to the idea that he can’t nip into Boots without being mobbed by fans. Like most superstars, he’s
about to find out that fame is a double-edged sword.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Queen asks Will to party at the Palace, 27th Feb,The Sun
POP Idol Will Young will head the Queen’s jubilee pop festival after a special request by the Royal Family.
Will’s dream invite came as it was confirmed his debut single shifted an amazing 385,483 copies in just one day.
The double A-side Anything Is Possible/Evergreen is now a dead cert for No1 this week.
Will was also overjoyed last night after learning he is to perform at Buckingham Palace’s first rock event.
He said: “It is a huge honor and I’m sure it will be an unbelievable experience. I said during Pop Idol that I had always
wanted tea with the Queen — it may not have happened yet but maybe it’s getting closer.”
Others who have agreed to celebrate her 50-year reign include Sir Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Tom Jones,
Aretha Franklin, S Club 7 and Beach Boy’s legend Brian Wilson.
Keeper of the Privy Purse Sir Michael Peat said: “Princes William and Harry are both very excited about the pop concert.”
More than 60million TV viewers will tune into the three-hour Party in the Palace in Buckingham Palace gardens on June 3.
Two days before the Queen will host a classical concert on the same stage, which will also be broadcast, live by the BBC.
THE 12,000 tickets for the two concerts are free and will be allocated by a draw.
To enter call 0900 1952 2002. A maximum of two tickets per call are available.
More than 3,000 phone lines have been opened and will remain active until midnight on March 17. Calls cost £1 each.
Money raised, including from sales of the rights to show the concerts overseas, will go towards the Queen’s Jubilee Fund.
Apply online at www.bbc.co.uk/queensconcerts
The Palace will contact successful applicants by April 19.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Will Interview, CosmoGirl, March 2002
When he grins the world grins with him, when he sings it's goose pimples all over! He's the sensitive sweetie with a style
all of his own.
So Will, Pop Idol - how was it for you?
The whole experience was overwhelming. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it and couldn't wait for Saturday to come around.
But now I'm excited about the future.
Where there any downsides to the experience?
An acne outbreak which I had to deal with for the last five weeks of the competition! Call it stress or a late teen bloom,
either way it was very strange.
What do you really think of Simon Cowell?
He's a funny chap, isn't he? With Simon there was always an element of cabaret, he was playing a role and playing it well.
But he really wasn't that nasty towards the end. After his holiday, he was far more chilled out. But he is strange and I've
told him that to his face. I can normally work people out but not him.
Now, your twin brother Rupert. Is he a budding singer too?
Yeah, he's not bad but he's not interested. Believe me you will never see us dueting. Even when times are tough and I need
a gimmick! No danger of us being the new Bros!
How's your car doing these days?
Someone bashed into me the other day! Is victimising Will and his car the new national sport?! I'm actually quite a safe driver,
it's when I'm stationary that problems occur. I did a radio interview the other day on my mobile and the meter wasn't working
so I had to sit in my car fending off traffic wardens while I was talking!
Will you be the poshest person in pop?
[Laughs] I don't known if I'm posh because that denotes a little snobbery and I'm not a snob in any definition of the word.
I'd say I was well spoken and have good manners...unless you're a traffic warden!
Where's the weirdest place you've ever been recognised?
At a urinal while I was peeing! This man leant over and said, "You're on TV, aren't you?" He could have waited until
I'd finished - I was mid flow! He told me he'd voted for me eleven times in one week.
Have you had any saucy propositions?
I've had one letter from this lady who was, rather sweetly, convinced we ought to be together. It was flattering but weird
she could think that without meeting me. It's okay in theory but I'm sure the reality would be a big disappointment.
So you're still single?
Yep but I'm a little busy for love at the mo and I'm also rubbish at chatting people up. I always end up saying something
like, "Cotton wool, it's really underrated, don't you think?" It's definitely something I need to work on.
What if pop-stardom doesn't pan out?
If it goes to pot then I'd like to write. I've been writing with a friend of mine who's a great actor and we've got an idea
for a film. A talent show, ten people...No, I'm joking!
And finally Will, was it all a fix?
I bloody hope not because I'll be livid if I find out it was!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTP ban on Will's No1 single-The Sun - Monday 4th March 2002
POP Idol winner Will Young shot to Number One with his debut single yesterday — but has been banned from singing it live on
Top Of The Pops.
The 23-year-old politics graduate cruised to the top spot with more than 1.1million sales of his double A-side disc Anything
Is Possible and Evergreen.
But his record company BMG have refused to let him appear on TOTP after producers of the BBC1 show turned down their demands
to let him perform both songs.
TV chiefs said that would mean dedicating a quarter of the show to Will, which they are not prepared to do. They will now
show his video instead.
TOTP producer Michael Kelpie said: “This is a very sad moment in Top Of The Pops history. “The door is still open to Will
and we would love to have him on the show as long as the record company change their unreasonable demands.”
TOTP was due to have the exclusive first showing of Will’s video last week and the first live performance of his single this
Friday.
But talks broke down when TOTP said it was rare for them to show a debut act before they hit the charts.
And they almost never let acts perform more than one song unless it is for a special one-off show.
A TOTP insider said: “In our 38-year history we’ve featured the likes of Michael Jackson, Prince, Jennifer Lopez and Madonna.
Their record companies made no such demands.
“It is a real shame as I know it has been Will’s lifelong dream to perform on the show. We cannot let record companies start
dictating to us how much coverage their artists get.”
A spokesman for Will refused to comment on the stand-off last night.
The golden-voiced singer, from Hungerford, Berks, won the hearts of the nation when he beat rival Gareth Gates to be crowned
winner of the Pop Idol talent search three weeks ago.
His single has smashed every record set by a debut music act.
He will now be entered in The Guinness Book of Hit Singles as the biggest-selling debut act over a week and for first-day
sales.
Delighted Will, who appeared on London’s Capital Radio yesterday, said last night: “I can’t express how happy I am. It’s an
amazing feeling to have a No1 hit. Everything I’ve experienced over the last couple of months is just beginning to sink in.
“To have broken records with my debut single is incredible. All I can say is the biggest thank you to everyone who voted for
me and everyone who’s bought the single. I thought it couldn’t get better, but it just has.”
Will’s single sold 385,483 on its first day of release last week. Its total for the week was 1,108, 269 — just 1,731 short
of going double platinum.
The previous biggest-selling debut act was Hear’Say from ITV’s Popstars show last year. First week sales of their debut single
hit 550,000 copies.
David Roberts, Editor of the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles, was astonished by the reaction to Will.
He said: “Every day this week Will was on the way to new records. He has broken the one million barrier in his first week.
It’s something special.”
The biggest and fastest-selling single yet was Sir Elton John’s Candle in the Wind tribute to Princess Diana. It sold more
than five million, including 1.5million in the first week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Will Breaks Records In South Africa-NME Website-
WILL YOUNG is not just breaking records in the UK - he’s doing the same in SOUTH AFRICA. A massive 53,000 copies of the 'Pop
Idol' winner's first single were snapped up last week.
Young’s 'Evergreen' / 'Anything Is Possible' outstripped first week sales of Elton John’s Princess Diana tribute 'Candle In
the Wind', according to his record label BMG.
The double A-side single was only due to be released on Monday (March 11), but a retailer’s promotional campaign saw his label
push the release date forward a week to coincide with the final episode of UK 'Pop Idol', which ended its run on South Africa’s
pay channel, M-Net, last Sunday (March 3).
"By midweek we were rush pressing another 20,000 (copies), but that wasn’t enough." says a BMG spokesman. "Everyone
in the business misread the market. We were expecting to shift 50,000, but thought it would take at least several weeks. The
CD single market was virtually dead in this country until Will and 'Pop Idol' came along. Now there’s no reason why we can’t
move 100,000."
Expectations are that Gareth Gates’ cover of 'Unchained Melody', due for released in South Africa on March 25, will outsell
Will’s single.
Now that retailers have cottoned on to the mania, they will be queuing up to place ads on 'Idols', the South African franchise
of UK 'Pop Idol', which debuted on Sunday (March 10).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Will's Amazing Rise to the top-Heat Mag
As his debut single heads to Number One in the charts, heat's Paige Schuppan charts Will Young's incredible journey from schoolboy
to pop star
Not even in his wildest dreams did he think it would happen. Pop Idol winner Will Young has a major record deal, a sure-fire
hit single under his belt and is set to become a millionaire - and all before his 24th birthday. Despite his privileged upbringing,
it's still something few of his classmates at public school would have predicted for the popular and outgoing youngster. So
how exactly did Will Young go from being a posh pupil to being a pop idol?
The Early Years
Will was raised by his parents - dad, Robin, a company director, and housewife mum, Annabel - in the leafy countryside of
Hungerford, Berkshire. But things didn't start too smoothly. Performing in front of Simon Cowell was nothing compared to his
traumatic introduction to the world when he and his twin Rupert were born six weeks prematurely.
These days, Will, the elder twin by ten minutes, is really close to his brother - Rupert was caught on camera cheering on
Will's Pop Idol performances - but it wasn't always like that. Will's father remembers how they were "constantly scrapping"
as kids.
And although we may know Will as a polite, well-spoken young man, as a child he was definitely no angel. Will's parents couldn't
believe it when the youngster developed an unnerving taste for the family dog's pet food. But his dad's greatest memory of
the twins is from when they were about four years old: "We were outside their room listening to them open Christmas presents,"
recalls Robin, "Out of the blue came Will's remark: 'That ------- Santa didn't bring me any Lego'.&q | | | | |
|
