Michelle McManus reveals secret feud with Pop Idol co-star 20 years after show
MICHELLE McManus has opened up on a bitter feud two decades after finding fame on Pop Idol.
The Scots singer, 43, appeared on the second series of the popular talent show and topped the charts with her debut single All This Time.
And two decades after the iconic reality hit Michelle is still a household name with appearances on Loose Woman and Scots sitcom Still Game.
However the bubbly star revealed her time on Pop Idol was tainted following a dramatic backstage clash.
The musician told a BBC documentary how judge Pete Waterman took “issue” to her because of her size.
The record producer, 76, famously took a swipe at Michelle during her first audition and said: “I think you are not a Pop Idol.
“You will never be a pop idol, that’s my opinion.”
Commenting on the feud, Michelle said: “Pete Waterman stormed off the minute I won, he didn’t even stay for my performance.
“He ripped his mic off and stormed out of the studio.
“Pete Waterman had an issue with me right from the beginning.
“Pete came from a world where it was Sonia and Kylie and all these really beautiful people and then you had someone like me.
“I tried to laugh it off at the time but that broke my heart.”
Pop Idol ran for two series from 2001-2003 and was fronted by fresh-faced duo Ant and Dec.
Simon Cowell, 64, Nicki Chapman, 56, and Neil Fox, 62, joined Waterman on the legendary judging panel.
Telly fave Kate Thornton, who hosted spin-off show Pop Idol: Extra, appeared alongside Michelle on the recent BBC doc.
The blonde presenter, 50, was sympathetic towards the treatment Michelle received on the show.
She said: “I’m really sorry for that because you still should’ve been walking around in a confetti cloud
“What those people should’ve been paying attention to was the millions of people who voted for you
“They [the judges] didn’t speak for the nation. The nation spoke for you
She added: “You changed things, Michelle, by just being you.”