Will Young -Pop Idol

Pop Idol

In February 2002, Young came to national prominence by winning the ITV television programme contest Pop Idol. Contrary to press claims of being the underdog, after having beaten the widely accepted front-runner Gareth Gates in the final show, it emerged that Young had in fact gained the most votes in six out of the nine rounds of public voting. This was published in the Pop Idol book, which was released shortly after the programme.

The songs Young sang on the show were:

• Audition - "Blame It on the Boogie" by the Jackson 5
• London Rounds (Day 1 - first round): "Up on the Roof" by The Drifters
• London Rounds (Day 1 - second round): "All or Nothing" by O-Town
• London Rounds (Day 2): "Fast love" by George Michael
• Top 50 (Semi Finals): "Light My Fire" by The Doors
• Top 10 (Your Pop Idol): "Until You Come Back to Me" by Aretha Franklin
• Top 9 (Christmas Songs): "Winter Wonderland"
• Top 8 (Burt Bacharach Songs): "Wives and Lovers" sung by Jack Jones
• Top 7 (Movie Hits): "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers
• Top 6 (ABBA Songs): "The Name of the Game" by ABBA
• Top 5 (Big Band Hits): "We Are in Love" by Harry Connick Jr
• Top 4 (No 1 Hits): "Night Fever" by The Bee Gees; "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" by the Eurythmics
• Top 3 (Judges' Choice): "Beyond the Sea" sung by Bobby Darin; "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" by Jackie Wilson
• Top 2 (Grand Finale): "Anything Is Possible"; "Light My Fire" by The Doors; "Evergreen" by Westlife.