Adele Was Suspended From School for Punching a Gareth Gates Fan, Will Young Reveals
The Pop Idol winner shared the anecdote about the Grammy winner's fierce loyalty during their 2002 competition.
Pop Idol winner Will Young has revealed that Adele was suspended from school for punching a fan of his rival, Gareth Gates. Young, 47, recalled the incident during an interview about the inaugural 2002 season of the ITV talent competition, where he and Gates, 42, were locked in a fierce battle for the title.
Young told Official Charts that Adele, then a supporter of his, was so passionate about the rivalry that she physically confronted another student. "She punched a girl," Young said. "Did you know that?"
Adele, now 38, has previously confirmed the playground altercation in a BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat interview, stating she received a week-long suspension. "I adore Will Young, he's my first love, I was obsessed with him," she had said. "I got chucked out of school for a week for having a fight with Gareth Gates fans."
Will Young ultimately won Pop Idol after a record-breaking public vote, releasing his debut single "Anything Is Possible / Evergreen." Reflecting on his career, Young also admitted he initially disliked his hit song "Leave Right Now," preferring more soulful tracks. He was eventually persuaded by producer Stephen Lipson and manager Simon Fuller to record the ballad.
Young is preparing to celebrate 25 years since his Pop Idol victory with a 16-date UK tour, titled "The Evergreen 25th Anniversary Tour," scheduled for February and March 2027. The tour will feature his full band and revisit hits from his two-decade career.