Brief
Will Young says more singer control could revive talent shows
The former Pop Idol winner says greater artistic freedom would make talent shows relevant again.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Will Young, the inaugural winner of ITV's Pop Idol, told the Press Association that allowing contestants to pick their own songs could make a singing‑competition format work today.
What happened
Young recalled that during his 2001‑2002 stint on Pop Idol he could request any track, from Aretha Franklin to The Doors, and was given five days to learn it. He said the show let him be himself, unlike later formats that introduced heavy mentoring, last‑minute song changes and autotune.
What the report adds
The Standard noted that Young believes the arrival of The X Factor in 2004 turned the genre “too manipulated”, and that the show ended in 2018. He also warned that future programmes might restrict genre variety, limiting singers to pop‑oriented material.
What was said
"I think that’s what was so brilliant about Pop Idol… we really did just choose what we wanted to sing," Young said to the Press Association, as reported by the Standard.
How it came about
Young’s comments follow his upcoming Evergreen 25th Anniversary Tour, announced for February 2027, where he will perform in Manchester, Glasgow, London and Cardiff.
Key facts
- Will Young won the first series of Pop Idol in 2002. (standard.co.uk)
- He was allowed to choose any song and had five days to learn it. (standard.co.uk)
- Young says modern talent shows are overly manipulated since The X Factor arrived in 2004. (standard.co.uk)
- He will headline the Evergreen 25th Anniversary Tour in February 2027. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Will Young says giving singers more control could revive the TV singing show”
