Inside Will Young's life – twin's tragic death, Simon Cowell feud and sexuality 'shame'

Singer-songwriter Will Young catapulted to fame when he won ITV’s singing competition, Pop Idol in 2002.

Going up against Gareth Gates in the nail-biting final of the popular evening show, Will stole the nation’s hearts with his undeniable talent, outspoken nature and amazing vocals.

Becoming the first winner of the worldwide Idol franchise at the age of 22, the heartthrob was the centre of media attention shortly after when he came out as gay preempting a tabloid newspaper from “outing him”.

Despite the controversy at the time, Will continued to have a successful career in music with a number of top 40 hits including Light My Fire and Leave Right Now.

However, the star did later face tragedy down the line, with label feuds and the untimely death of his twin brother.

Daily Star has taken a detailed look inside Will Young’s life.

Sexuality ‘shame’

Shortly after being crowned the winner of Pop Idol in the early noughties, in March 2002, Will told the nation that he was gay.

However, the star also admitted that he never hid his sexuality and was comfortable with who he was.

In September 2020, Will spoke openly on news night about homophobia and the terrible comments he’s received regarding his sexuality.

He explained: “There’s intentional homophobia and there’s unintentional homophobia.

“People get too muddled up with it and worry they’ll say the wrong thing. Listen, I say the wrong thing the whole time and I’m so happy to be educated.

“Gay shame… just because you’ve grown up in a world where you feel, where the message is that you are wrong constantly, just because you come out doesn’t mean that energy and thought in your body has gone away.”

Feud with Simon Cowell

Throughout the course of his career, Will has been involved in quite a few hair-raising feuds.

When Will was a contestant on Pop Idol he often clashed with music mogul and judge Simon Cowell and the pair continued to have several disagreements on and off the programme.

On one occasion, the Pop Idol winner stood his ground, when Simon called his rendition of The Doors’ Light My Fire as “distinctly average”.

Fighting back, Will replied: “All of us have been dying to say things to you – I’ve written about ten things to say to you.

“I think it’s nice that you have given opinions on this show. I think in previous shows you haven’t, you’ve just projected insults and it has been terrible to watch.

“I think, this show, I think you have been better, and I think you have given opinions and you’ve backed up your opinions.

“It is your opinion. I don’t agree with it. I don’t think it was average. I don’t think you could ever call that average. But it is your opinion and I respect that.”

But even though Will went on to be signed to Simon’s label Syco, rumours circulated that he often complained about not being able to release more original music.

In 2015, the musician publicly branded Simon as a “bully” when speaking to Huffington Post UK.

He said: “I don’t like bullies, and I don’t know if there’s a nurturing side to his shows.

“It always comes from the top. There definitely wasn’t enough pastoral care, and I can’t bear seeing people that aren’t looked after.”

Quitting Strictly after Len Goodman bust-up

Although Will and Simon’s feud was heavily reported in the press, this wasn’t the only person Will didn’t see eye to eye with.

While appearing as a contestant on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, the Leave Right Now singer also had a clash with former head judge Len Goodman when he answered him back.

After Will’s steamy salsa routine, Len gave his opinion on the dance and said: “For me, not enough Salsa. I loved the dance – it was entertaining, it was fun… but it’s a Salsa, and I would have liked more.”

The singer replied: “There are 24 counts of Salsa in the routine.”

But Len responded: “Well I must say, most of them I didn’t recognise. But my other advice to you is turn up, keep up and shut up.”

It was reported that Will told a member of the production staff “I don’t need this s**t” and later quit the show prematurely.

However, despite their miscommunication, Len previously said that he didn’t want the singer to leave the show.

Death of twin brother

In 2020, Will experienced a huge loss in his life when his twin brother Rupert Young passed away from suicide at the age of 41.

An inquest into his death heard Rupert was admitted to Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital two days before he was found dead.

Rupert had been in hospital four times in the week prior to his death.

However speaking further on the matter, Will revealed “astounded” his brother had been allowed to leave hospital two days after his suicide attempt and was not detained under the Mental Health Act.

Will said at the hearing: “Those working within the NHS do an amazing job under very difficult circumstances,” he said.

“However, my brother is someone who had, in the months and weeks before his death, been into hospital on countless times following suicide attempts.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk