English singer-songwriter Will Young was BOTD in 1979. Born in Wokingham to a middle-class family, he studied politics at the University of Exeter, where he became involved in musical theatre. He rose to popular attention in 2002 after winning the TV talent show Pop Idol. His first single, a cover of Westlife’s songs Anything Is Possible and Evergreen, becoming the biggest selling UK single of the decade. He came out as gay shortly after his win, pre-empting a tabloid newspaper’s attempt to out him. To date, he has released eight studio albums, selling over 8 million albums worldwide. In 2013, he starred in a West End revival of the musical Cabaret. He also appeared in the film Mrs Henderson Presents and has made occasional appearances on television. He has supported a range of LGBTQ charities, including gAID, which supports queer people fleeing abusive relationships. His memoir To Be a Gay Man was published in 2020.