This week’s UK singles chart sees the arrival of another ‘Pop Idol’ contestant. Rik Waller debuts at a No 6 slot with his cover version of Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston track, ‘I Will Always Love You’. Now, he feels like it was a mistake to release his first effort even before Will’s single show signs of falling from the top position.

“I am more than happy with No 6, to get to No 1 with a debut single is not that often heard of, apart from Westlife and Will. I just love the fact that I am in the charts and that people can now go out and buy my record. The chances of me having another hit are now strengthened because it is at No 6 and is the highest new entry”.Rik, the flu-laden ‘Pop Idol’ finalist, whose next single will be out sometime in May followed by his virgin album two weeks later, has revealed that Gary Barlow of Take That fame is indeed writing songs for him. “Gary is a brilliant songwriter and I’d love to sing his tunes”. In addition to Gary Barlow, he has met approximately 70 songwriters who are prepared to compose tracks for him. “There are a lot of other famous ones but I can’t tell you who they are just as yet.”

Just how different is his solo effort going to be? Sounds like it’s going to be a fusion of styles and influences. There might be a few old songs and probably some new ones written in a classic style, according to Rik.

Critising the dispute between ‘Top Of The Pops’ and Will’s management, Rik said “They can’t afford to upset ‘Top Of The Pops’. It’s a shame some of it will be blamed on Will. It’s a record-breaking single and there should be some concessions made.”