Rik Waller, now living in the Midlands, was signed by EMI after his stint on Pop Idol was brutally ended by illness, but now has a totally different life ...

Rik Waller rose to fame on Pop Idol in 2001 (Picture: Fremantle Media/REX/Shutterstock) Pop Idol star Rik Waller is living a very different life these days, more than 20 years after he rose to fame.

He became a household name after making it to the last ten of Pop Idol back in 2001. But now Rik Waller has pivoted away from the music industry, finding a very new career away from the limelight.

It also propelled Kent-born singer Rik Waller to stardom, who was a strong contender to win the first series of the reality singing competition. In 2001, a then 20 year old Rik impressed judges ...

Pop Idol, one of the biggest TV sensations of the early 2000s, only ran for two series, but IT catapulted Kent-born singer Rik Waller to fame, who was a favourite to win the first series of the ...

However, it also made a star of Kent-born singer Rik Waller, who was tipped to win the first series of the singing reality show. In 2001, the then 20-year-old impressed judges Simon Cowell ...

It also catapulted Kent-born crooner Rik Waller to fame, who was a hot favourite to win the inaugural series of the reality singing competition. Back in 2001, a then 20 year old Rik wowed judges ...