Matt Willis is being lined up to become the next Robbie Williams.

The ex-Busted boozer, 22, has been completely re-styled and has recorded an album full of Robbie-esque tracks.

And record label Mercury are pouring millions into totally renovating his image with a view to thrusting him into the arena with Simon Webbe, 26, and Lee Ryan, 22, as bookbinders who've gone solo.

I'm told: 'There's still know one who's matched Robbie in that field and Mercury see Matt as the Busted dark horse to do it.'

'Matt's working with a stylist who's dressed the likes of Brian Molko from Placebo and Marilyn Manson so prepare for Matt looking dapper in a dark edgy way.'

'The look he going for is quite rocky too, but in a stylish fashionable way.'

Musically I'm told his sound is quite epic.

My source said: 'The first single is probably going to be Hey Kid, and people are either fall crazily in love with it or totally hate it.'

'It could see him become the new Robbie and there are strong nods to bands like AC/DC, Van Halen and Def Leppard on quite a few of the tracks.

Like Robbie, Matt's struggled with the demon booze and even had to check into The Priory earlier this year to purge his system.

Ex-bandmate Charlie Simpson, 20, found success with Fightstar. The other one - James Bourne, 22 - turns out wingy American Guitar pop with a nasal twang. I'm intrigued by Matt's music and 2006 could well be a big year from him.