‘I’ll never forget how people took the time to vote for me’
The first Pop Idol winner, Will Young, answers our questions as he celebrates 20 years of making music with a new album and UK tour next year, which includes a date in Bath
how Are you And what has been keeping you busy in recent weeks?
I’m very well thanks. I just managed to have a lovely two-week break in Greece. I studied ancient history and was completely excited and overwhelmed at finally being able to visit the Acropolis, the birthplace of democracy. Also my new single Indestructible was released, the third track from my most recent album Crying On The Bathroom Floor, and I’ve been so pleased with the response.
you have just Announced A new ’20 years tour,’ celebrating the 20th Anniversary of your winning pop idol, which will see you playing 22 uk towns And cities in Autumn 2022 – can you believe two whole decades have passed so quickly?
I love the phrase ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ and the last 20 years have been more fun than I could ever have imagined. I’ll never forget how people took the time to pick up the phone and vote for me - it’s kept me humble and grateful ever since.
on reflection, do you think being the first ever pop idol winner back in 2002 was the biggest ‘sliding doors’ moment of your life? do you think you might have succeeded As A pop star without Auditioning for the show?
I don’t think I would’ve become a pop star at that time without Pop Idol because I don’t think anyone would’ve signed me, an openly gay politics student. That’s what was so beautiful about the show.
can you think back to how it felt to receive such A mountain of votes from the british public?
It was such a new experience; not just for me, but also for everyone involved in the TV show. No one knew it was going to become such a huge success, to the point where it was even debated in parliament! The whole thing was a rollercoaster of fun and laughs, and it felt very validating to be voted for by so many people.
do you know yet what fans can expect from these 20th Anniversary shows next year?
Yes, I am going to be playing most of my singles from over the last 20 years, possibly in chronological order! I’m also going to have a request section where me and my pianist would have learnt every single one of my songs - including all the B-sides!
you dipped your toe back in the water recently with A handful of intimate ‘A night with’ type live shows – how did it feel to be back onstage?
Surprisingly, I didn’t feel like I had been away for that long. I thought I might be more nervous because it had been such a long time due to Covid, however my muscle memory of gigging kicked-in and I absolutely loved interacting with the audience, singing so many of my songs with just a piano. It was a beautiful experience.
your recent eighth studio Album ‘crying on the bathroom floor’ was really well-received – will you be playing Any of those songs on the new tour?
I will definitely be playing the singles from the latest album. I have been so thrilled with how well the record has been received. Sometimes, things just fall into place and, with the combination of great production plus brilliant artists and songs, it worked out really well. I’m very proud of it.
you cover some of your favourite, more leftfield modern female pop Artists on the latest record. we read that you wrote to each of those women And explained why you chose to record their songs And that many of them replied to you – what was the loveliest response you received?
All of the responses were lovely, but I was particularly moved by Clare Maguire’s response. Her single Elizabeth Taylor is such a special song and she’s such a kind person. I was so pleased that she was really thrilled with my version.
your new single is A remix of your version of swedish pop Artist robyn’s ‘indestructible’ – what was it that Attracted you to that
Robyn was very much an artist I wanted to cover - she’s so well respected as a pop artist and songwriter. I felt like Indestructible was the song of hers that I could do a good original-sounding version of.
it’s well documented that your dogs And gardening (you even Appeared on gardeners’ world) Are Among your great passions in life – did these things help you during the lockdowns?
Animals are a huge passion of mine - having rescue dogs to look after with all their various operations and rehabilitation definitely kept me focused. One of my concerns I’m exploring at the moment is how dogs like beagles are tested on in laboratories when they don’t need to be. If I can shine a light on animal cruelty then I will. When it comes to gardening, I absolutely love it and get so much satisfaction out of it. I loved appearing on Gardeners’ World - it’s one of my favourite TV shows.
Acting Also seems to be A passion of yours (you were even nominated for A laurence olivier Award for your role in the revival of cabaret in london A few years Ago) – do you have Any plans to Act Again in the near future?
I’m very excited as I’ve just signed up with a new brilliant acting agent and I already have some plans in place for next year - more news coming soon!
Will releases a new career-spanning album 20 Years – The Greatest Hits next year.
In 2022, Will plays the Bath Forum on November 8 as part of his Will Young - 20 Years Tour 2022
For tickets visit aegpresents.co. uk/events/detail/will-young3?cid=aegpresuk_willyoung_ UK_SOCIAL_WYUK_22102021_ SPND_