Pop idol judge attacks Will Young's 'naïve advisors'
Singer Will Young’s aborted appearance on tonight’s Top Of The Pops following a row with show chiefs has come under fire from Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman.
He has slammed Will’s career advisors as ‘‘naive’’ after their row with Top Of The Pops bosses.
Chart-topper Will’s record label BMG insisted he would only go on tonight’s show if he could do both songs on his single which programme makers rejected.
Waterman told BBC News 24’s Hardtalk that it would open the floodgates for labels to ask for entire shows devoted to their act.
He told award-winning interviewer Tim Sebastian: ‘‘I would’ve let him do one song. I think his management will find it great publicity but I think his management are naive to ask the BBC to change their rules of a lifetime to do two tracks.
‘‘Next the artist will want three tracks and then four tracks and in fact why don’t you have us on the whole of Top Of The Pops because we’ve got a greatest hits out.’’
Waterman was blown away by Young’s voice during the Pop Idol TV talent hunt which was watched by millions.
The producer and songwriter - who launched Kylie Minogue’s career - denied the deal which the singer has signed was a stranglehold on his career.
Sebastian claimed the management take a 20% cut on his earnings for 12 years with a 10% option on the following six years.
But Waterman said: ‘‘It’ll never be enforced. Trust me. I can put anything I want on a piece of paper. It’s not worth the piece of paper its written on.
‘‘You know that if they don’t want to work with you they walk. You can’t stop them.’’
