Meet the X Factor finalists once tipped for the top left performing in panto after missing out on music careers
A host of finalists have resorted to performing in the festive shows after missing out on pop careers
IT’S behind you! Your career, that is.
The X Factor is often branded a pantomime but it really is a breeding ground for panto stars.
A host of finalists have resorted to performing in the festive shows after missing out on pop careers. Oh yes they did!
That is good news for the likes of Honey G and maybe 2016’s winner, who will be crowned this weekend.
Here is where you can find some former X Factor hot prospects.
Joe McElderry is Aladdin
THEY SAID: Simon Cowell reportedly wanted to make Joe the new Zac Efron, with a £5million Hollywood deal. Early on in the 2009 series, Simon said: “We may just have found ourselves a pop star.”
OH NO HE ISN’T: Joe beat Olly Murs to the title that year but Olly has had the last laugh with lasting fame. Joe recently finished an acoustic tour of small venues but his last release was an unremarkable festive track in 2013. He was dropped by Syco just 16 months after the final.
Isabelle Lock is Fairy Rose
THEY SAID: Isabelle was part of girl group Mon Amie in 2015’s X Factor. Although they were called old-fashioned, Cheryl admitted: “Vocally, I can’t fault you.”
OH NO SHE ISN’T: Kicked out after the Six-Chair Challenge, the girls failed to land a record deal. But their traditional harmonies did appeal to Jason Donovan and he took the girls on tour with him earlier this year.
They released a cover of Prince’s Purple Rain to widespread indifference.
Meanwhile, Isabelle’s bandmate Honey Fine will be playing Cinderella this Christmas at Harpenden Public Halls, Herts.
Rhydian Roberts is Prince Charming
THEY SAID: He was promised by Louis Walsh: “You’ve got star quality, you’ve got stage presence and this show is going to change your life.”
OH NO HE ISN’T: His operatic style was never going to wash with a pop audience but Louis was not far off. After coming second in 2007, Rhydian’s debut album went double platinum and the next was nominated for a Classical Brit.
His fifth album, One Day Like This, topped the classical charts for ten weeks in 2014. Has also toured with musicals Grease, We Will Rock You and The Rocky Horror Show.
Marcus Collins is Peter Pan
THEY SAID: Louis Walsh told the aspiring singer: “If I was looking for the perfect pop star and fed everything into a computer, I would get Marcus Collins. Because Marcus, you’ve got everything.” There was even talk of him working on music with his X Factor mentor Gary Barlow.
OH NO HE ISN’T: Often, the show’s runner-up emerges as the real commercial winner – but Marcus hasn’t matched winners Little Mix. His debut single, a cover of Seven Nation Army, briefly entered the Top 10, as did his self-titled album.
But he was dropped by label RCA within months. Has since pursued a stage career, appearing in musicals Hairspray and Kinky Boots.
Stevi Ritchie is Chester the Jester
THEY SAID: Though branded a joke act, Simon brought him back as his wild card, calling Stevi “the nation’s rock god” and hailing his Bohemian Rhapsody “one of the great X Factor performances of all time”.
OH NO HE ISN’T: It didn’t look good when he asked Simon for a job and Cowell laughed. After finishing sixth in 2014, he and fellow X Factor contestant “girlfriend” Chloe Jasmine braved Celebrity Big Brother.
Recently dressed as an albatross in a vid for club hit I’m An Albatraoz by Swedish DJ AronChupa. Appears now and then at Park Resorts holiday parks.
Sam Atkinson is Queen of Gooseland
THEY SAID: Robbie Williams joined Sharon Osbourne at the Judges’ Houses stage to heap praise on Samantha, saying: “I love her voice, love the personality and she had star quality.”
OH NO SHE ISN’T: The pub landlady was kicked off the current run by Sharon in favour of comedy rapper Honey G. A petition demanding her reinstatement got 10,000 names.
She said: “I’ve always wanted to be in a pantomime and what better place to do it in than in my home city?” As is often the way with those booted off The X Factor, Samantha vowed: “This isn’t the end at all.”
Andy Abraham is Fleshcreep
THEY SAID: Mentor Sharon Osbourne said: “Andy, you truly are unforgettable.”
OH NO HE ISN’T: The former binman was runner-up to Shayne Ward in 2005 and sold 300,000 copies of his debut album, making it the 12th biggest album of 2006. But he was dropped by label Sony BMG the following year and although he went on to release four more albums, sales have been disappointing.
In 2013, he was reportedly declared bankrupt. Andy represented the UK at Eurovision in 2008 and still sings at charity events, holiday parks and other smaller venues.
Lola Saunders is Jill
THEY SAID: With Lola labelled the dark horse of the competition in 2014, judge Mel B said: “You have gone from being a fishmonger to a legend.” She was the bookies’ favourite to win the series and landed a record deal after she impressed with an Aretha Franklin song. One insider said: “Simon is excited about Lola and thinks she could make a mark on the music industry.”
OH NO SHE ISN’T: Kicked out in the finals, Lola didn’t go back to gutting fish but instead went on to appear in a touring production of Save The Last Dance For Me this year, alongside Blue’s Antony Costa.
She is in talks with a label about producing an album next year.
Niki Evans is The Enchantress
THEY SAID: Simon told her: “I think you’ve got a great voice, just great.” In fact, Niki had been discovered by music mogul Pete Waterman as a teenager and was groomed to be the next Kylie Minogue.
When that didn’t happen, she turned to The X Factor, where Sharon Osbourne said she was “in a class of her own”.
OH NO SHE ISN’T: After finishing fourth in 2007, Niki released a single, called Love Me No More, but it made little impact. She turned to musical theatre and appeared in Blood Brothers in London’s West End, plus a touring production. She also toured in a production of Legally Blonde. This will be her third panto season.
Ray Quinn is Prince Charming
THEY SAID: In 2006, Cowell expected to make millions from Ray and eventual series winner Leona Lewis, saying: “These two will be the most successful yet. Forget Will Young and Shayne Ward. When it comes to reality show singers, the latest two are the best we’ve ever had.”
OH NO HE ISN’T: He was runner-up in 2006 and released swing album Doing It My Way the year after. Despite decent sales, Ray was dropped by his label in 2007. He returned to reality TV with Dancing On Ice in 2009 and won the “all-stars” final series in 2014. Recently finished a music tour ahead of a new album.