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Will Young’s clashes with Simon Cowell and Len Goodman: From Pop Idol to Strictly Exit

Singer remaining resolutely silent despite viewers' desperation for explanation

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Think back some 15 years to when a young and terribly polite Pop Idol hopeful suddenly found his inner ROAR and hit back at Simon Cowell.

Will Young wasn’t happy with the critique he’d received from the media mogul and decided it was time to offer a piece of his mind.

Viewers were impressed that a contestant on a reality show had the nerve to hit back at TV’s Mr Nasty, still very much a work-in-progress construct back then.

Will went on to become the 2002 winner of the talent series, ahead of the show favourite Gareth Gates – thanks, in no small part, to this act of David Vs Goliath.

Fast forward to 2016, Will is now a grown man and participant on Strictly Come Dancing.

And, once again, he’s unhappy with being on the receiving end of negative opinion from a professional – in this case Len Goodman pointing out flaws in a Salsa routine.

This time the judge – much-loved by audiences for his undeniable expertise and fair-handedness, as well as humour – fired back at Will’s diva-like defensiveness.

The altercation began when Len 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.”

Will hit back: “There are 24 counts of Salsa in the routine.”

Quick as a flash, Len retorted: “Well I must say, most of them I didn’t recognise.”

Ouch. OWNED. On live TV. By a man who really knows his proverbial. That must’ve dented Will’s pride.

And it’s not just Len that the pop star has rubbed up the wrong way on the judges’ panel.

Craig Revel Horwood has dismissed the Jealousy singer as “dull and disappointing”.

Will himself has admitted: “I think Craig has it in for us.”

The 37-year-old sensationally quit Strictly Come Dancing yesterday, citing personal reasons.

Although being extremely complimentary about his time on the show, Will’s statement could be deemed ‘telling’ in its brevity.

Read more: Mystery as Sarah Harding vanishes during Ghost

With mounting speculation about why he decided to depart, there is pressure for him to reveal why.

He sent a message to DJ Chris Evans after his initial announcement, stating: “Here’s the thing. I’m absolutely dandy, thanks. It’s all very undramatic, really.

“I’ve done my statement and others can say what they want to say. I never read what they say anyway.”

So… telling nothing, basically!

Obviously, no one – famous or otherwise – should feel pressured into detailing why they have chosen to abandon a work project.

Read more: Now Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli threatens to quit!

But could his personal reasons to quit have been exacerbated by his fear of losing face in light of his brushes with the judges?

It seems that no one person is bigger than the beloved brand that is Strictly… And if one’s ego can’t handle the heat, get outta the dance studio.


Kaggie Hyland
Editor-in-Chief