Top producer Pete Waterman has turned down a £1 million chance to work with the Pop Idol stars, says a British tabloid, choosing instead to mastermind the career of a 13-year-old schoolgirl and turn her into the new Kylie Minogue.
The Daily Express reports that the pop maestro, who was a Pop Idol judge, had the option to handle the careers of both Will Young and Gareth Gates following the staggering success of the programme, but opted instead to coach his new discovery, Lauren Waterworth, from Wigan, on her way to fame.
The Express quotes a source close to Pete as saying: “The fact that Pete has signed Lauren meant he could just walk away from Gareth and Will without worrying.”
Pete, who launched Kylie’s career with the hit single I Should Be So Lucky in 1988, has managed to land Lauren an extraordinary five-album deal with Zomba Records, which also represents Britney Spears. The teenager’s debut disc is due out in May.
And, in another “tot-idol” success story, nine-year old Declan Galbraith hit the big time on Tuesday with his own £1-million three-record deal. The child sensation, from Hoo in Kent, started singing at the age of six and was spotted at a talent contest by songwriter Barry Mason – who wrote the Tom Jones hit Delilah. Barry was so overwhelmed with Declan, he immediately offered the singer a deal.
Declan has already won a host of prizes for his repertoire of Irish folk songs and cover versions of the hits of his favourite singer, Robbie Williams. Record company spokesman Teresa Hart said of the child phenomenon: “He is like a young Robbie Williams, a real natural.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
