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Pete takes break from Pop Idol

By This is London Last updated at 00:00am on 16.03.04

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Pop mogul Pete stormed off in disgust when the contest was won by 15-stone Michelle McManus.

Pete Waterman is to take a year out of his role as a Pop Idol judge just three months after storming off in disgust when the contest was won by 15-stone Michelle McManus.

The impresario, 57, said yesterday that last year's second series was not up to the standard of the first won by Will Young.

Asked if he would be up for a third series, he said: 'Not this year. I've had enough for this year. I love Pop Idol - don't get me wrong - but I only went home five times last year.

I just want a break.' Waterman, famous for unflattering comments about contestants, said his decision was influenced by three years of non-stop TV work.

The man who launched the careers of Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley added: 'I'm not going to change my mind. If Michelle is a pop idol, then I'm Arnold Schwarzenegger.'