What Pop Idol stars are doing now – from Gareth Gates to Rick Waller

SHORT-LIVED singing competition Pop Idol aired its first series over two decades ago in 2001, before it concluded two years later.

But despite its short time span - the show had a whole host of famous faces as former contestants went on to achieve stardom.

But who went the distance and who didn't over the past two decades? Here we look back on all of the show's most famous stars.

Sam & Mark

Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes caught viewers' attention on the second series of Pop Idol.

The pair came third and second but since the show have become a duo and teamed up.

They went on to land plenty of TV gigs presenting all over the world.

Sam and Mark also hosted a number of children's TV shows including their very own show, Sam & Mark’s Big Friday Wind-Up.

They also competed against each other again on Dancing on Ice in 2012 with Mark being the third star told to leave and Sam making it to week nine.

Returning to singing, they released two singles together, a 2004 release of With a Little Help from My Friends reaching No1 in the UK charts.

They even both got married in the same year in 2012.

Sam wed CBBC presenter Anne Foy and Mark tied the knot with Harriet Wilson.

They both have two children.

Darius Campbell

The Scottish singer won over crowds when he starred in its first series.

Darius came third in his series but turned down a record deal from judge Simon Cowell.

Instead he has appeared in a number of stage shows, including Gone with the Wind, Chicago, and the Olivier-award winning Guys and Dolls.

He has also gone on to act in soaps.

The star appeared in Hollyoaks and also went on to be a producer of the 2016 Hollywood flick Imperium, starring Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe.

Jessica Garlick

Jessica may have failed to make it to the top three of the first series of the show but she went on to make Pop Idol history.

Proving it isn't all about coming first place in showbiz, she was and still is the only former contestant to appear on Eurovision.

In 2002 Jessica represented the UK and came joint third alongside Estonia, in the best result the UK had managed since 1998.

In 2009 she released a single for her unreleased album, but has never made a return to music.

The star wed personal trainer Owen Satterley in 2004, and the couple went on to have two children, daughter, Olivia, and a son, Noah.

Rik Waller

The singer from Kent won fame on the first series of the talent show in 2001, at the age of 20.

A bout of laryngitis saw him exit the show early and he was replaced by Darius Danesh.

His TV career flopped when he was booted off Celebrity Fit Club for secret eating in 2002, and he later gave up singing after falling in love with a pagan who banned him from performing.

In 2013, Rik became an exam invigilator and he now works full time overseeing secondary school exams for Piper Assessment, in Sittingbourne, Kent.

Hayley Evetts

Brummy lass Hayley impressed the Pop Idol judges in 2002, but lost out to Will Young and Gareth Gates.

After brief stints in musicals including Grease and Thriller, she tried her hand at another ITV talent show.

Sadly, she failed to get past the bootcamp stages of The X Factor in 2012.

Hayley was selected to represent Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest last year, but was forced to pull out following a knee injury.

Zoe Birkett

Zoe was one of the youngest ever Pop Idol contestants when she competed in Pop Idol in 2001, and she’s enjoyed plenty of time in the spotlight over the years.

Two years after appearing on the ITV talent show, she released her first single Treat Me Like A Lady, which reached No.2 in the UK Singles Chart.

She has also starred on the West End stage, landing starring roles in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Respect La Diva.

One of Zoe’s most famous ventures was entering the Big Brother house in 2014, before being evicted on Day 58 of the reality show.

The experienced singer is currently running singing, dance and drama workshops for kids in the Zoe Birkett Academy.

Will Young

Singer-songwriter Will Young is undoubtedly one of the most successful Pop Idol contestants of all time.

In 2002, his first A-side featuring Evergreen and Anything Is Possible became the fastest-selling debut in UK chart history.

Since then, he’s starred in films, stage productions and earned two BRIT Awards.

Last year, Will dominated the headlines when he sensationally QUIT Strictly Come Dancing after clashing with judge Len Goodman.

Michelle McManus

Scottish singer Michelle McManus won the hearts of the British public in 2003, when she became the winner of the second series of Pop Idol.

Following her time on the show, she became the first Scottish female to debut at the top of the UK Singles Chart, where her track All This Time stayed for three weeks.

In 2007, she also set up her own music label, McMannii Records.

She has also had a string of TV appearances, including on BBC sitcom Still Game and Scottish lifestyle show The Hour.

but in 2017 Michelle was the victim of an unprovoked attack.

Gareth Gates

Cheeky chappy Gareth Gates was a firm Pop Idol favourite in 2002… and Gareth is still making female fans swoon.

In a recent snap posted to his Instagram page, Gareth, now 32, showed off just how far he has come since his debut, revealing his toned, tanned torso.

Since the ITV show, Gareth has dabbled in the world of Musical theatre, starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the touring production of Les Miserables.