SAY what you like about showbiz reality shows – sometimes the discovery-making end justifies the undignified means.

Yes, it’s a cattle market; yes, shows like The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent sometimes pander to the worst common denominator in order to feed the media frenzy; yes, there’s an uncomfortable, freak show element to the whole concept.

But when a process succeeds in shining a light on genuine talent - another three yeses going to, let’s say, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Will Young – it has to be forgiven.

Regardless of your music taste or pretentions, there’s no denying that these artists are gifted vocalists and performers; nor that their voices may never have been heard had it not been for their auditions alongside a few alien life forms.

The format’s not perfect, but it sometimes delivers and when it does, it’s worth all the pain.

Will Young, for one, proves the point admirably. He stepped out of the frantic hype of the first Pop Idol – incredibly, some 10 years ago now - and calmly went on to carve out a lasting career, consistently taking top industry awards and selling over eight million albums – three of his five to date have been number ones.

His concerts are routine sell-outs, testimony not only to his remarkable voice but also to his warm stage presence; his unique ‘one of us-ness’, instant likeability, that puts his audience so completely at ease and sets the stage for one of those all-too-rare momentary escapes from the hard edges of this world.

Will’s recent ‘homecoming’ gig (he studied and lived in Oxford), part of his Echoes tour, was no exception. He delivered everything his ever-growing and devoted fan-base has come to expect – a flawless performance, effortless shifting of gear from sublime ballad to hi-energy pop and jazz, peppered with intimate and funny anecdotes and observations.

Ultimately, it’s his voice that gilds the night. Supremely note-perfect offerings of all those staple hits, from Light My Fire and Leave Right Now to Evergreen and Surrender, as well as numbers from his latest album, Echoes – notably, Jealousy, Silent Valentine, Losing Myself, Hearts on Fire.

The Live Nation Echoes tour continues until December 12 – see www.livenation.co.uk/artist/will-young-tickets for details. If you’re not already a fan, you might be surprised at how easily you become a convert – at the very least, you’ll discover why Will Young’s voice continues to get so many yes votes a decade on.