Pop Idol series one: Where are they now?
Gareth looks so young!
Before the days of The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, the biggest singing competition on our TV screens was in fact Pop Idol. In 2001, Simon Cowell joined Nicki Chapman, Neil Fox and Pete Waterman to judge a bunch of wannabe popstars, before Will Young saw off competition from the likes of Gareth Gates, Zoe Birkett and Darius Campbell to be crowned winner.
Hitting our TV screens in 2001, Pop Idol was a massive hit with fans, with ratings soaring to over 10 million for shows before the final. But now, over 20 years on, have you ever wondered what the stars of series are up to now?
Well, think no more...
Here's what the Pop Idol 2001 contestants are doing now:
Zoe Birkett
Zoe came fourth on the show and released a Top 20 single 'Treat Me Like a Lady', which reached Number 12, before being dropped by Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller's label. In 2014 she entered Big Brother (not the celebrity version) and came ninth. Going on to have a successful career in the West End, she appeared in shows such as West End Rocks, Thriller - Live and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. She even played understudy to Alexandra Burke in the musical adaption The Bodyguard!
Gareth Gates
Gareth released three studio albums after finishing in second place, including the absolute tune that was 'Anyone of Us'. In 2014 he competed in Dancing on Ice: All Stars and joined supergroup 5th Story on The Big Reunion. Gareth was engaged to Coronation Street actress Faye Brooks, however the pair split after seven years together. The singer now shares snippets of music to his socials, whilst also documenting his fitness journey. In February 2022, Gareth took to his Instagram to celebrate his Pop Idol anniversary, joking: '20 YEARS today, I became the UK's biggest Loser! 🤣😂😩'.
Will Young
Will obviously beat Gareth Gates in the final and went on to release a string of massive singles including 'Light My Fire' and 'Leave Right Now'. In 2009 he released a greatest hits album and just missed out on a spot on The Voice panel to The Script's Danny O'Donoghue. In 2010, Will appeared in Channel 4's hit show Skins, then in 2016 he joined Strictly Come Dancing, only to leave the show three weeks later due to 'personal reasons.' In 2022, the star bravely opened up about his twin brother's death in 2020, taking part in a Channel 4 documentary called Will Young: Losing My Twin Rupert.
Hayley Evetts
After finishing fifth, Hayley bagged a small role on Coronation Street and starred as Sandy in Grease alongside Robbie Williams's best mate Jonathan Wilkes. She auditioned for The X Factor in 2012 (though didn't make it past boot camp) and in 2016 was one of the candidates set to represent Romania at Eurovision before pulling out due to a severe knee injury. Hayley is now part of a touring band called Essential Groove UK.
Darius Campbell
Darius Campbell (who back then went by Darius Danesh) had previously auditioned for Popstars with his cover of Britney Spears's 'Baby One More Time...', and returned to Pop Idol the next year. He went on to release five Top 10 singles, including his Number 1 hit 'Colourblind', and won ITV show Popstar to Operastar in 2010. Sadly, in 2022 the tragic news broke that Darius had passed away aged 41, with tributes pouring in from friends and fans.
Rosie Ribbons
Rosie signed a five-album deal after coming sixth; releasing Top 20 singles 'Blink' and 'A Little Bit', and even supported hit band Liberty X on tour. After her record label went bust she was released from her contract, but Rosie did enter Australian Idol in 2007. She didn't make it through to the final 12.
Laura Doherty
Laura now has a music degree after graduating from University of Ulster in 2006. She now teaches hip-hop dancing in schools.
Aaron Bayley
Aaron now plays weddings and functions as part of the Aaron Bayley Band. He also joined fellow popstar-types Andy Scott-Lee, Stacey McClean, Rikki Loney and Kavana in supergroup G*Mania, who went on tour performing Glee songs.
Jessica Garlick
She might've only finished ninth, but Jessica went on to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Come Back'. She even managed to come third, which is pretty bloody amazing.
Rik Waller
Rik was replaced by Darius when he was forced to leave the live shows due to severe laryngitis. He released a Top 10 single - a cover of Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' - and appeared on Celebrity Fit Club in 2002. Back in March 2014, he was an exam invigilator. Despite living out of the spotlight now, his passion for music continues, helping his dad run a mobile karaoke and disco business.
Korben Niblett
Korben - real name Chris - is now thought to be carving out a career in the beauty industry, with positions with Jemma Kidd Make Up, Clarins and Christian Dior. According to his LinkedIn profile, Korben was a Regional Education Manager at Estee Lauder Travel in late 2014, and in 2018 was the Director of Education and Content Development for Retail Engagement. He can now be seen travelling the world with the company.
Who was your favourite Pop Idol contestant?
This article originally appeared on heatworld.
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