Will Young interview: 'The Voice would have been amazing'

Following his recent ITV special and news that his latest album Echoes has gone platinum in the UK, it's safe to say that Will Young's tenth year in the business has been a successful one.

Digital Spy sat down with him to talk about his recent UK tour, plans for 2012 and those rumours about judging a certain TV talent show.

Are you pleased with the success of Echoes?
"Absolutely - thank God it did well! It's just gone platinum, which I think is a good thing in today's climate! It's sticking around in the top 40 too which is great. I've recently become obsessed with the charts - I never used to look at where the album was and now I check its chart position and sales every week! I guess it shows how much I care about it."

Your last single 'Come On' seems to have helped it back up the charts a bit...
"It has - although it didn't do what 'Jealousy' did. I always knew it wouldn't, but it would have been nice. That said, I didn't expect the success of 'Jealousy' at all."

We hear you had to convince a lot of people to release 'Jealousy' as the first single...
"I won't lie, there were some obstacles - it was a bit of a fright. I don't mind that though, but all it does is teach you to stick up for what you believe in. There's two ways of looking at it: I could have easily got bitter and not trusted anyone else's decisions - which happened around Friday's Child - but that wouldn't help anyone. Thank God it was a hit though, otherwise it would have been a covers album for me!"

Will there be any more singles from the album?
"Definitely, but I've given up trying to choose which song to release. I think 'Hearts On Fire' would be good, but then other times I lean towards 'Lie Next To Me' or 'Personal Thunder'. I think this time I'll leave it to the powers that be to decide for me, because I'd be happy to release anything off the album!"

What are your plans for Christmas?
"I'm literally crawling to Christmas. I've got so much to do and I've slowed down too much already. Weirdly, I bought all my decorations in November - I'm really embracing it this year! I've had the final show of the tour at the London Palladium too - I had lots of rehearsals for that because we decided to put in extra dancing bits."



How did the tour compare to your previous ones?
"It was great, thanks! Honestly though, it's not my favourite thing ever. I love the challenge of live singing - particularly on this new record as it's a lot higher - but it's not my favourite thing to do. I've got my band, but you're pretty much by yourself most of the time. Being on the road is not as rock 'n' roll as people might think! I find the music more fun than I used to, but sometimes I just want to lie back and watch Emmerdale."

Do you feel like you have anything left to prove with your live performances?
"That's the other thing - I've always got to watch myself because all I ever want to do is wear a bowler hat and do cabaret, and my team have to keep pulling it back from that! That's the challenge nowadays. It's also in the music - to make it as good as possible live without coming across like a robot."

There were rumours that you were lined up to be a judge on The Voice...
"I don't know anything officially, but if it were to happen, it would have been amazing. I wouldn't have even considered it if I didn't think it was a great show. I love the US version. It'll be interesting with The X Factor to see how a show that focuses more on the singer gets on. That, and I get quite excited when all the chairs turn!"

Are there any plans to return to acting next year?
"I'm waiting to hear back on a film, so fingers crossed that works out. I've also auditioned for two theatre roles, which should be good. I really want to do my own dance show - a contemporary take on a classic story. Everyone thinks it's a stupid idea, but there's something in me to do it - I'm making it happen!"

Echoes is available to download now. Watch the music video for 'Come On' below: