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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Joel Leaver

Will Young gives up alcohol and halves smoking habit after life-changing doctor visit

Will Young has revealed that he has given up alcohol and halved his smoking habit.

The singer, 43, opened up about his major lifestyle change on the latest episode of the Mid Point podcast, which is hosted by presenter Gabby Logan, 48.

Will, who shot to fame by winning ITV reality series Pop Idol in 2002, admitted that he has improved his health in recent years following some advice from a doctor.

The musician said he was warned two years ago that those aged 40 to 50 "really need" to look after themselves for their future - with it prompting some significant lifestyle changes.

Will Young has said he has given up alcohol (Getty Images)

Will said: "I have got better actually." He revealed that he has quit drinking and reduced his smoking, hoping to finally kick the latter habit soon, admitting that he has been a "big smoker" for some time.

He said: "I've now stopped drinking [totally]. I did that before Christmas. And I feel really good. I've sort of halved my smoking and I'm not long off stopping smoking now."

Reflecting on such achievements, Will said he feels as though he's doing "pretty good" at looking after himself, with her revealing that he's particularly into pilates at the moment.

He's best known for having won Pop Idol in 2002 (Fremantle Media/REX/Shutterstock)

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The discussion came after Will admitted that he had previously been scared of death, though visiting a shaman years ago relieved such fear.

He said that the experience has since allowed him to celebrate in the wake of losing several loves one and not "really mind[ing] about [his] own mortality."

It was such a comment that prompted Gabby to ask whether his attitude had led to a chance in lifestyle, with the singer admitting that he has taken more of an interest in his health recently.

Will pictured with Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates (Daily Mirror)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Will winning Pop Idol, withthe ITV singing competition having made household names of him and runner-up Gareth Gates, now 37.

The winner's single Evergreen - released as a double A-side with Anything Is Possible - topped the charts and was the fastest-selling debut single in the UK at the time.

It later featured on Will's debut album From Now On, which was the first of several chart-topping albums released by the singer - whose hits include Leave Right Now.

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