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Rik Waller promotional photograph from the Back to Reality TV show on Five

Rik Waller (born: 1982 in Gillingham, Kent, England) is an English singer best known for being a finalist on the British television series Pop Idol, and for his considerable obesity. During the competition, Rik was told by Simon Cowell that he was "too much of a twat to be an idol". He made it into the final ten of the show but was forced to pull out due to a throat infection and was replaced by Darius Danesh. Following the show, Rik signed a one-album contract with EMI worth £400,000, with his first single being a cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You".

Although Rik initially won public admiration on Pop Idol, this quickly evaporated^{[citation needed]}. He has since taken part in Celebrity Fit Club and Back To Reality.

After his contract with EMI finished, Rik formed his own band to take his music out on the road. Rik then signed an album deal with Red Admiral Records [1].

In October 2004 it was reported in the media that the Devon concert of Rik and his band's UK tour was cancelled because only two tickets were sold.^{[citation needed]}

Rik's obesity has made him a prime target for critics, including the likes of Simon Cowell, and Jade Goody, who repeatedly dissed Rik on Back to Reality. His weight has also led to him being the butt of a lot of "fat" jokes.

His second album Innocence was released in September 2005. The band was re-named Rik Waller's Mighty Soul Band, but has been renamed yet again; the band is now known as Rik Waller's Unfinished Business (as reported on Rik's official website).

On February 28, Waller appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

Albums

• From Now... (July 2002)
• Innocence (July 2005)

Singles

• "I Will Always Love You" (March 2002)
• "Something Inside (So Strong)" (June 2002)

• Rik Waller - Official Home
• Red Admiral Records