Pop Idol

Pop Idol was a British television music competition presented by Ant & Dec on iTV, and Kate Thornton on iTV2. The short-lived series ran from 2001 to 2003, its aim being to decide the best new young UK pop singer (or "pop idol") based on viewer voting and participation.

Background
Only two series were broadcast - one in '01 / '02 and a second in '03 - before Pop Idol was subsequently put on an indefinite hiatus after "Idol" judge Simon Cowell announced the launch of the The X Factor in the UK in April 2004. Though the series itself suffered a very short two series run, its legacy lives on to a sensational degree in the form of its numerous international spin-off series. The most successful of these (obviously) being American Idol, but also of note are: Australian Idol, Indonesian Idol, New Zealand Idol, Latin American Idol, and Idols (South Africa).

Winners

 * Series 1: Will Young
 * Series 2: Michelle McManus