Rik Waller

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Rik Waller
Born 1981 (age 30–31)
Gillingham, Kent, England
Genres Pop
Occupations Musician
Years active 2001-present
Labels EMI, Red Admiral, Coeur De Lion
Associated acts Rik Waller's Mighty Soul Band/Rik Waller's Unfinished Business

Rik Waller (born 1981, Gillingham, Kent, England) is an English singer.

Contents

Career

Pop Idol

Waller is best known for being a finalist in the first series of the British ITV television series Pop Idol. He made it into the final ten of the show, but was forced to pull out due to severe laryngitis, leading to torn vocal cords as a result of overuse, and his place in the final 10 was taken by Darius Danesh.

EMI

Following the show, Waller signed a recording contract with EMI in a deal worth approximately £200,000. His first single was a cover version of Dolly Parton's song "I Will Always Love You" which made #6 in the UK Singles Chart.[1] He followed this up with another top 40 hit, recorded originally by Labi Siffre, "Something Inside So Strong".[1] Both of these songs appear on Waller's album From Now.

Celebrity Fit Club

Waller has suffered from weight problems all of his life, and briefly appeared on Celebrity Fit Club before withdrawing from the programme.

Red Admiral Records

When he was dropped by EMI, Waller formed his own band to take his music out on the road. He then signed an album deal with Red Admiral Records.[2] In October 2004, it was reported in the media that the Devon concert of Waller and his band's UK tour was cancelled because only two tickets were sold.[3]

His second album Innocence was released in September 2005. The band was subsequently re-named 'Rik Waller's Mighty Soul Band', and then re-named again to 'Rik Waller's Unfinished Business'. On 28 February 2007, Waller appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks in the Identity Parade Round and briefly replaced captain Phil Jupitus when it became clear who was the real Rik Waller.

Waller has also set up his own recording company 'Coeur De Lion'.[citation needed]

Personal life

He was educated at The Howard School, Rainham, Kent.

Discography

Albums

  • From Now... (July 2002)
  • Innocence (July 2005)

Singles

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
Pop Idol 2001 Self
Pop Idol Extra 2001 Self
Esther 2002 Self
Kelly 2002 Self
Top of the Pops 2002 Self
Celebrity Fit Club 2002 Self
The Weakest Link 2003 Self aka Weakest Link Champions' League (UK)
Back to Reality 2004 Self
Never Mind the Buzzcocks 2007 Self Mystery Guest

References

  1. ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 590. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  2. ^ Red Admiral Records - Wim Hautekiet - The Silent Kingdom - Peter Dinsley - Hardly Mozart - Rik Waller - Rhythm Of Blues - The Sharpees redadmiralrecords.com
  3. ^ Home > Rik Waller masterliness.com

External links

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