Pop Idol, a television sensation of the early 2000s, only aired for two series but was instrumental in launching the careers of Gareth Gates, Will Young, and Michelle McManus. It also propelled Kent-born singer Rik Waller into the limelight, who was a strong contender to win the first series of the reality singing contest.

In 2001, a then 20 year old Rik impressed judges Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman, and Neil Fox with his exceptional vocal talent, earning him a place in the final ten. However, his journey was abruptly halted due to laryngitis. Despite his early departure, he did achieve some chart success with his cover of Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You, which reached number six in the UK singles chart. He signed a record deal with EMI, rumoured to be worth around £400,000, and subsequently released a cover of Something Inside (So Strong).

Now aged 44, Rik has appeared on various UK reality shows, including Celebrity Fit Club. Around this time, he was dropped by his record label, EMI, and formed a band that signed with Red Admiral Records. However, after lacklustre ticket sales, a planned tour was cancelled and the band disbanded. The last time Rik appeared on our screens was in February 2007, on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, reports .

Rumours swirled that the singer had lost his vocal edge after damaging his voice, prompting him to confess in 2007: "I'm getting tired of singing and I can't rely on it for 100 per cent of my income. I've got two people to think about now, and talent doesn't always pay the bills."

As romance swept him off his feet, he fell for a Pagan woman, and the couple reportedly began planning a Pagan-inspired wedding ceremony. However, their relationship ended, with whispers suggesting she had encouraged Rik to step out of the spotlight.

In 2019, he took to Facebook to share his congratulations to fellow Pop Idol contestant Michelle McManus on her marriage, admitting he was'gutted' she'd tied the knot, though he wished her all the best.

In an unflinchingly honest 2013 chat with the Daily Mail, Rik revealed the tough time he had looking for work, recalling: "The most demoralising thing I've ever had to do was queue up at the Job Centre and have people look at me saying, 'What a failure'." Rik laid bare the harsh realities, saying: "When you've lost the ability to do the job you've always done, it's an incredible stab in the back to find people are actually laughing at you."

He continued, revealing why he keeps a low profile: "It's why I don't make a lot of effort to talk to the press these days - it can be more trouble than it's worth." Finding solace in life's simple pleasures, Rik observed: "If you've got a roof over your head and food on the table I don't know how anyone can be truly unhappy."

By 2014, Rik's days of topping the charts were behind him as he moved back home and embraced a simpler life. Under his given name, Richard, he found work as an exam invigilator at a secondary school and even joined in on his father's mobile karaoke and disco business. His Facebook profile reveals that the ex-pop star continues to work as an exam invigilator and resides in Leicester.