Pop Idol was a British television series that was first shown on ITV on October 5 2001 ; the show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer , or ` pop idol ' , in the United Kingdom , based on viewer voting and participation . Pop Idol was a British television series which debuted on ITV on 5 October 2001 . The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer ( or `` pop idol '' ) in the United Kingdom , based on viewer voting and participation .