Following the release of his book, To Be a Gay Man, Will Young is back with new album, Crying on the Bathroom Floor, out now, featuring reimagined versions of songs from female artists such as Robyn, Sky Ferreira and Solange.

As Will, 42, reflects on the new record and his life’s journey so far in the Attitude October issue – out now to download and to order globally – the singer recalls meeting Hollywood star Julia Roberts, recounting how their subsequent exchanfe that didn’t exactly go according to plan.

“I once saw Julia Roberts”, Young begins. “We were sharing a makeup room and she said, ‘Aren’t you the guy from American Idol?’

“I said, ‘No, I’m from Pop Idol‘, and then for some reason I said, ‘Oh, wouldn’t it be funny if it was called Pup Idol, and everybody brought their puppies?’”

Will adds: “Her assistant moved her away from me.”

Though Will’s happy to share his excruciating past experience with Notting Hill star Roberts, one public figure the ‘Leave Right Now’ hitmaker is less inclined to discuss is the man he famously clashed with on Pop Idol: Simon Cowell

The chart-topper continues: “That’s like asking a question about Voldemort, do you know what I mean?

“But Voldemort’s way more interesting.”

Following the success of To Be a Gay Man, Will is already working on another book, which he describes as a “manual on life”.

“That’s a sweeping statement, but why not”, expands Will. “I recently did relationships, and I was, like, ‘Hollywood has a lot to answer for.’

“A lot of it is bollocks. You can be really happy on your own. You can be.”