| Pop Idol | |
|---|---|
| Series 2 | |
| Hosted by | Ant & Dec (ITV) Kate Thornton (ITV2) |
| Judges | Simon Cowell Neil Fox Nicki Chapman Pete Waterman |
| Winner | Michelle McManus |
| Runner-up | Mark Rhodes |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV ITV2 (Pop Idol Extra) |
| Original release | 13 September – 20 December 2003 |
| Series chronology | |
The second and most recent series of British reality television show Pop Idol aired on ITV on from 13 September to 20 December 2003. Michelle McManus was announced as the winner and received a £1 million recording contract to release her debut album. Ant & Dec returned to present the show on ITV, whilst Simon Cowell, Neil Fox, Nicki Chapman and Pete Waterman all returned as judges.
The second series was not as successful as the first series, and the viewing figures for the finale were much lower.[1] Waterman considered McManus an unworthy winner.[2] In 2004, Pop Idol was axed and ITV announced a new show created by Cowell, with no involvement from Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller—The X Factor.[3] The perceived similarity between the two shows later became the subject of a legal dispute.
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- ^ Paulse, Wade (22 December 2003). ""Plus-size" contestant wins U.K. 'Pop Idol', as judge Pete Waterman walks out". Reality TV World. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ Wilkes, Neil (23 January 2004). "Pete Waterman: "Michelle is rubbish"". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ "Cowell reveals new talent search". BBC News. 23 April 2004. Retrieved 11 March 2014.