And when he tried to force Will to do what he, Simon, wanted, Will said "No, thank you" and went on a nine-month "hiatus" which could have cost him his career. Thankfully it didn't, and his gamble has paid off. I think that's one of the reasons Will is so widely admired both in the industry and out, even by people who don't care for his voice or style of singing: the man has integrity, and that's a rare quality these days.

I'm sure Simon has never come across it before in his "stable" of artists who can't or won't stand up to him.

yep Will is complety diffrnt to what Simon is used to, Will knows his own mind, and takes control of his own destiny.

Simon just isnt used to that, really Will would be better off with a record company which allows him the creative freedom he needs to bring out his full quality.

Will has said on many occasions that Simon now has nothing to do with his acreer and I must say this shows in his album...just one cover version and a great one.
I think he's just fine with the record company he has, they've obviously let him make the album he wanted to.

I agree with that Bro, Simon officially has nothing to do with Will now and he cant take credibility for his success as well (though he could take the credit for Gates's waning career as a consolation ). And i also agree that he is fine where he is at the moment at BMG.

BMG have a great track recordfor letting artist do their own thing, e.g. Pink and Christina Aguilera. In a way Will's career is similar to the likes of Christina etc, i'm not saying he has being wearing a thong with chaps and has kissed Robbie Williams on the lips at the Brit awards.........*mmmm*......oops back to the topic sorry . Its just that they were both confined in a way to record tracks that the record company wanted them to do etc and they both have god giving beautiful voices, i mean they both have voices to die for. However now they are doing their own thing and both have fantastic second albums!

Once again well done Will

But surely Simon Cowell has had very little to do with Will since last year when Will refused to do something SC suggested. .:rolleyes I think it was something to with the duet - didn't he want Will to sing Sus Minds with Gareth!

Simon Fuller is Will's manager. And SC has sold S Records anyway.

Will is No. 1 in the album chart

According to dotmusic, citing TOTP as the source, Will's album sold 202,000 this first week.

Does anyone have the sales figures for Leave Right Now -- first and second week sales?

117,000 the first week but I am not sure of the second week - we'll know tomorrow.

im not looking to start anything, but given this weeks singles chart, how many albums has Gareth sold (in the UK) of his 2nd album?

I believe it is 68,000.

in total, or first week sales, cos if its in first week sales, they might as well not bother with Gareth anymore.

In total - but I might be wrong with the figures.

That is total sales.

I think in it's first week of release it only managed to sell around 32.000 copies.

I almost fell seorry for Gareth, poor first week sales, and hes only manged to double those, which still arnt anywhere near Wills first week sales.

I never thought I could feel sorry for Gareth, but...I do. He looked glum on last Friday's TOTP, and no wonder. Will sells 202,000 albums just in the first week of release (and after a nine-month break), and Gareth has sold 68,000 since the album was released?

Geez, I'd feel glum, too.

yeah its quite a sad tale really, oh well at least the right guy won, both the show, and survived the real world.

I have to say that i love the song thats in the charts at the moment, and could listen to it for hours.

Will Young has definately grown on me, and he is also a good looking lad isnt he *dribble*

totally love this album! its been worth the long wait between last single and now!

think people are right - SC doesnt have anything to do with will anymore. he chose to concentrate on gareth - will went with simon fuller. SF is a great man to have on side - hes supported will since PI, Will is always singing the mans praises.

so glad that SC didnt try and have a hand in this album - god knows what might have happened.

everytime i see Friday's Child in the shop i have to resist the urge to buy another copy. bought 3 so far - my own copy and 2 as presents.

im so proud that he had a 9 month break and can come back with a number 1 single and album - both of which are selling incredibly well. LRN certainly seems to have captured people's imaginations - even people who have never liked him have been coming upto me and admitting that is a 'beautiful 'great' 'fantastic' song. others have bought the album on the strength of liking the single. Friday's Child sold more than his debut album in its first week - so happy for him!

I've always drooled over him, and oh, my...doesn't he look yummy in the LRN video?

Sigh.

He sure does, especially when his jacket gets removed. His muscles are quite defined aren't they *more dribbling*

Oh, dear. I think I need to go have a lie-down.

Dont know what u see in him

Gareth looked glum cause WY was going on Record of the year. Funny how they bend the rules for WY.

Talent.
Of course you wouldn't know what that is being a Gareth fan would you?


Tuff!!
Someone had to be there to show them all how to sing live.

friday's child is DOUBLE PLATINUM

WAHOOOO!!!

I bought this CD at the weekend - and hubby wouldnt let me play it in the house Anyway - put it straight onto mini disk and havent removed it from my ears since.

Its bl0ody fantastic - i love it. I never bought his 1st album as i thought it would be 'Pop Idol' cheesy, but this is wonderful

In fact - Im listening to it now whilst typing this !!!