Will Young

Will Young is a British singer, songwriter and actor from Wokingham, Berkshire. Born William Robert Young in 1979, he has a non-identical twin brother, Rupert. He is educated at Horris Hill preparatory school and Wellington College, and later studies Politics at the University of Exeter. While at university he works at Harry’s and spends time at venues including Timepiece and The Old Firehouse. In September 2001, he begins a three-year musical theatre course at the Arts Educational School in Chiswick, London, with a scholarship.

Pop Idol breakthrough

Young comes to national prominence in 2002 after winning the first UK series of Pop Idol. His victory over Gareth Gates turns him into a major mainstream pop figure. His debut release is the double A-side “Evergreen” and “Anything Is Possible”, with the latter written for him by Cathy Dennis. It becomes the fastest-selling debut single in UK chart history and goes on to sell more than 1.4 million copies, later appearing among the all-time best-selling singles in the UK.

Albums and singles

Young’s early hits include “Light My Fire”, “Leave Right Now” and “Friday’s Child”. His second album, Friday’s Child, is largely self-penned, reaches five-times platinum status, and receives awards and critical praise. He wins a second Brit Award in 2005 for the co-written single “Your Game”.

His third album, Keep On, is released in 2005, with “Switch It On” as the first single. Let It Go follows in 2008, reaching number 2 on the UK albums chart. Its singles include “Changes”, “Grace”, “Let It Go” and “Tell Me the Worst”, the last appearing as a UK club promo with Fred Falke remixes. A greatest-hits set, The Hits, comes out in 2009 and includes two new tracks, “Hopes & Fears” and “If It Hadn’t Been for Love”. His fifth studio album, Echoes, includes “Jealousy”, a dance-pop track produced by Richard X.

Live work, awards and recognition

Young wins the Brit Award for Best Breakthrough Act and is nominated for ten Brit Awards in total, including multiple nominations for Best British Male, Best British Single, Best Pop Act and Best Breakthrough. He is voted the UK’s favourite artist in commercial radio polls in 2006 and again in 2007. He performs at the final Live 8 concert in Edinburgh in 2005, where he sings “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” with James Brown. He also plays theatre and arena tours, and later appears at festival venues.

Acting and other work

Young broadens his career into acting with a role in Mrs. Henderson Presents, playing Bertie alongside Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. The film is released in the UK in 2005, and his performance receives positive notice. He also becomes associated with charity work, supporting Women’s Aid, Mencap and Positive Action Southwest. He performs at a first solo concert for Positive Action Southwest in Exeter in 2003.