The band was launched in August 2002, making their first appearance on the cover of "Smash Hits" with the headline: "Meet Busted: They're Going to Be Bigger than Rik Waller!", making it a first for any pop band to appear on the magazine's cover before releasing a single. Their debut single, "What I Go to School For", inspired by a teacher that Willis had a crush on at school, was finally released in September 2002. It reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. Their debut album "Busted" was then released, initially charting only around the UK Top 30 and receiving mixed reviews from critics. The follow-up "Year 3000", which was written about Bourne's obsession with the film "Back to the Future", then followed in January 2003, reaching number two in the UK chart. In April, their third single, "You Said No" finally reached number one. "British Hit Singles & Albums" certified them as the first act ever to have their debut three singles enter the top three in an ascending order.