A singer too strong to silence Rik Waller is a big voice in a very big body. David Thomas meets the bullied Pop Idol who wants us to stop looking - and listen

From: The Sunday Telegraph London | Date: March 17, 2002| Author: | Copyright information

Before I have asked Rik Waller a single question, he begins the interview himself. "I'll give you a quick fact-file," he says, as we sit in a Notting Hill cafe.

"Full name: Richard James Waller. Place of birth, Gillingham, Kent. Date of birth: 25 August 1981. Time of birth, 1 pm." He pauses, then with emphasis says, "Lunchtime." Another pause. "Not surprisingly."

He's getting his retaliation in first, letting me know that he knows he's fat.

Rik Waller is the Pop Idol who got away. Having qualified as one of the final 10 contestants, the 20-stone 20-year-old was forced to pull out of the ...

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