The latest word is Universal, EMI and Telstar are all bidding to sign former Take That star Mark Owen ready to cash in on his renewed popularity following his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. Despite denying he’s in the house for a career boost, Owen has been working on new material with guitarists Adam Seymour of The Pretenders and Rob Harris of Jamiroquai. It is likely he’ll go straight into the studio after leaving the house (tonight or tomorrow depending on votes) and live dates are expected to follow.
"Mark hasn't stopped writing since the day he split from Take That and so he does have a lot of songs to chose from,” his manager Jonathan Wild told reporters. "He has been busy writing with different musicians to prepare for a comeback. He is desperate to get back on the road again and wants to tour as soon as he can. We have been in talks with a particular record label about a deal which is ready to sign. But since he has been in the Big Brother house a number of other labels have put offers on the table too. We need to talk about what is best for him before we reach a decision. But he will have a single and an album out early in 2003."
Owen’s last attempt at a solo career, signed to BMG, didn’t go far despite a couple of radio friendly hits.