Will Young 'set to crack America'

Original Pop Idol winner Will Young is now setting his sights on America having signed a £1 million deal with BMG in the US, the Daily Star reports today.

The singer - who has released two number one albums in the UK and enjoyed similar success in Europe - is preparing to take on the notoriously difficult task of trying to "crack" the American market and is likely to release his first single within months.

Will, 25, was a hit with the US audience when he appeared on the final of American Idol in September 2002, and an offer from BMG US soon followed. At the time, Will declined after being told he would have to play down the fact he was gay to succeed.

Now he's changed his mind and, according to one source, although he "talks down his chances, secretly he's confident."