X Factor reject Chad Nelson lives on £73 a week benefits but blows hundreds on recording studio in bid for fame

REMEMBER The X Factor reject Chad Nelson?

The wannabe singer fell foul of the judges in 2013 when his rendition of Rhinstone Cowboy failed to hit the right note.

Now he’s getting another five minutes of fame – in On Benefits: Wannabe Famous and Claiming.

The 63-year-old is now struggling to get by on £73 a week of handouts and a few pounds he gets for recycling junk he finds in the street.

But he has spent HUNDREDS on a studio to record his song Happy New Day in a new bid for fame.

The former fridge engineer – who has been on benefits for six years – sang his own song on The X Factor before getting through to the first round.

But he was booted out after the Rhinestone Cowboy performance.

He told the show: “I tried to make money by going on the X Factor. How low can you go?

On his rejection, he mused: “It was very painful really but I’m a grown man and I have to take it on the chin. More so knowing that I can do better.”

Cheery Chad admits life has been a struggle and that he needs to do cash in hand jobs for friends to top up the £9,000 he receives in dole and housing benefits.

He said: “I’m trying to make some money to pay for my song Happy New Day, but recording costs are exorbitant.”

The Londoner, who lives alone with his cat Scribbles, is seen singing his new song in a crowded pub – and being ignored by the punters.

He revealed an unusual route to getting his music out to a wider audience.

After singing another song on the Benefits show, He revealed: “This is the song I sang at my uncle’s funeral.

“After I finished singing it the funeral director suggested I put it on a CD and add it to his own collection and then he could offer it the bereaved.”

As well as doing odd jobs, Chad uses his engineering skills to refurbish old appliances, including  washing machine he found on a tip.

After replacing the fan belt at a cost of £2.50, he can sell it on for £100, he tells the Channel 5 show.

He said: “There’s so much stuff thrown away. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

He added: “Being on benefits is a bit weird. It is a step down in my lifestyle.

“There’s not a lot in it so you have to try and earn a little bit extra.

“You can’t survive on what you are given by the authorities.”

Recent episodes have included a single mum who blew £500 on Christmas presents for her daughter and former Big Brother star Lisa Appleton.

On Benefits: Wannabe Famous and Claiming airs at 10pm on Channel 5