Rik Waller (born: 1981) in Gillingham, Kent, England) is an English singer best known for being a finalist on the British ITV television series Pop Idol. He made it into the final ten of the show but was forced to pull out due to severe laryngitis leading to torn vocal cords as a result of overuse and his place in the final 10 was taken by Darius Danesh. Following the show, Rik signed with EMI worth approximately £200,000, and included all recording, promotion, and distribution. His first single was a cover of Dolly Parton's song "I Will Always Love You" which made Number 6 in the UK singles chart. Rik followed this up with another top 40 hit record originally by Labi Siffre "Something Inside So Strong" both appear on Waller's chart album From Now. He has since taken part in Celebrity Fit Club and Back To Reality. When he was dropped by EMI, 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. 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 (on the advice of new management) the band is now known as Rik Waller's Unfinished Business, as reported on Rik's official website. On February 282007, Waller appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks as part of the identity parade. Rik is currently working on new material, writing scripts, singing, acting and generally branching out with his new project being "The Full Circle Project" which primarily will be touring the UK looking for new talent, the idea being that he will be spotting the talent himself and passing them on to pro talent scouts, management companies and record companies as part of a TV documentary that is set to start filming early 2008. Rik has also set up his own recording company "Coeur De Leon" or CDL for short. Recently Rik has also been seen at the Royal Albert Hall for the part of Frofa.[2]
