An older and wiser Will Young finds a way to continue making perfect pop

Oct 31 2008 by Emma Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

CAN it really be that, like Kennedy’s assassination and news of the Take That split, everyone remembers where they were when Will Young won Pop Idol?

A straw poll of the office seems to suggest so.

But then, back when he took the title, shunting baby-faced Gareth Gates into second place, things were different. The TV talent show phenomenon was in its infancy. There was no X Factor, no Britain’s Got Talent with its endless sob stories, and the great British public was hooked on the battle.

Incredibly, that was seven years ago.

More incredibly, Will is still riding high and about to release his fourth album after dropping out of the spotlight for a couple of years.

So what was all that about?

“It wasn’t really about anything,” says the Berkshire-born singer.

“If it was, it was about continuing my acting career, taking a break.

“ There had been eight tours in 4½ years, three albums, a film. It was time to take a break.”

During that time Will made his theatrical debut, taking the Noel Coward role in the play, The Vortex, at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.

It was his second acting job after popping his movie cherry with an appearance alongside Dame Judi Dench in the film, Mrs Henderson Presents.

Says Will: “I was in Manchester for four months in the play, and then I started the album. So it seems a long time but I was always doing other things.

“I think it’s important to maintain your enjoyment of your career and what you do, otherwise you end up washed up and you stop enjoying it.”

Having made his “comeback” this summer, playing festivals to critical acclaim, Will, who plays the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on November 18, says he is at a new stage in his career.

“I feel like that is how it should always go. It shouldn’t just be the same old thing,” he says. “It’s been such a journey for me from Pop Idol to being nominated for best pop act at the Festival Awards. I am so pleased.

“It means we must have been doing something right this summer.”

Tomorrow night, Will will be returning to the talent show arena for a long-awaited debut on X Factor, where he will perform his latest single, Grace.

Much has been made of the appearance, given Will’s previous sparring with the show’s creator Simon Cowell back in the Pop Idol days.

Ever the professional, Will insists any feud with the high-waisted one is exaggerated.

“That was a long time ago,” he offers. “I think that has been blown up. I don’t see him.

“I am not going to say we are friends, but I feel very amicably towards him. And he is pre- pared to have me on the show, which is very kind of him.”

“I can’t wait,” Will continues. “I’m so pleased that I’m singing the song, Grace, because I think it is such an appropriate song for that show.

“It’s a really big pop song and I am excited about doing it.”

The new album, Let it Go, is out now and is, says Will, his “most accomplished”.

“The thinking was really to embrace pop and start writing proper pop songs. I really enjoyed it and am so pleased it is going well.”

With a clutch of hit albums under his belt and a Brit on the mantelpiece, Will’s 20s have been very good years.

How does he feel as his 30th birthday approaches in January?

“I’m so excited. I love getting older. The older I get, the more confident I get, the happier I get. The more you learn about life, the easier life becomes.”

WILL YOUNG plays Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on November 18.

RELIVE Will Young’s Pop Idol audition at www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/videos