Rik Waller

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

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 renamed 'Rik Waller's Mighty Soul Band', and then renamed 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

• "I Will Always Love You" (March 2002) - UK #6
• "Something Inside So Strong" (June 2002) - UK #25^[1]

Filmography

References

External links

• Red Admiral Records redadmiralrecords.com