Paolo Nutini has revealed that he was nearly persuaded to try out for ITV's pre-'X Factor' talent show 'Pop Idol' in 2003.

Despite family pressure -- from his mum, mostly -- a 16-year-old Nutini eventually decided against auditioning for the show which made a star of Will Young and, initially at least, Gareth Gates.

The Scottish soul singer told the Daily Mirror, "I thought about going onto 'Pop Idol,' my mum was saying, 'Go on!' But I decided not to." It would seem to have been a shrewd decision given the fate of that year's eventual winner Michelle McManus, whose singing career went down like the proverbial lead balloon.

Luckily enough for Nutini, his star has continued to rise and his career has gone from strength to strength. His 2006 debut album, 'These Streets,' hit the No. 3 spot on the UK album charts, and this year's 'Sunny Side Up' went two better with its No. 1 debut.

This is one pop battle reality TV didn't win.