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X Factor star looks unrecognisable as he poses with Shirley Ballas after performing in the West End
The singer built up a rather successful career for himself since competing in the ITV talent show
X FACTOR star Giovanni Spano looked unrecognisable as he posed with Shirley Ballas after performing in the West End.
Giovanni, 38, found fame on the ITV talent show in 2018, where he was eliminated in week four of the live shows.
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He's since built up a successful career for himself in the West End, having starred in Bat Out Of Hell and now The Stock Aitken Waterman Musical: I Should Be So Lucky.
At yesterday's press night, Giovanni performed in front of a star-studded crowd including Jenni Falconer, Jess Impiazzi and Abbie Quinnen.
But it was Strictly judge Shirley who he caught up with after the show, and who he even introduced his grandma to.
Sharing a post to Instagram, Shirley heaped praised upon the production, writing, "@soluckymusical the most uplifting, bright and beautiful show I’ve seen in a very very long time.
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"@giovannispanoofficial nanny and I had an absolute blast. We cheered, sang and laughed sooo loud. You are an absolute superstar and we’re so proud of you.
"A huge congratulations to the whole cast for putting on this outstanding show.
"It’s a must see … get your tickets you’ll absolutely love it and you’ll be out of your seats singing and dancing just like the whole theatre this evening. Very well done. Xxxx."
I Should Be So Lucky uses the extensive back catalogue of the pop geniuses who dominated the charts four decades ago, creating superstars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, Sonia and Brother Beyond.
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The Sun first revealed in 2019 that the musical was in the works.
Giovanni spoke to us shortly after his X Factor stint, revealing he struggled to look in the mirror as a teenager before his muscular transformation.
He won over the audition audience and judges with his rendition of Goo Goo Dolls' Iris.
While he's been inundated with messages of support and branded a heartthrob, Gio told The Sun it hasn't always been that way.
He explained: "I was growing up in my teenage years as this chubby kid. I always got by, I always had fun, I always had friends but it was tough, it was tough to look in the mirror sometimes.
"It was difficult and a really tough time in my life, but I kept pushing and working hard.
"I always stayed focused on listening to music and DJing and learning how to play instruments.
"I never really got involved with girls, and I'm still shy deep inside. When I get messaged like that, I'm like 'wow, where does this come from?'"
"I'm humble and receiving messages like that, I'm extremely flattered and it's so wonderful.
"There's no where it says in the book it says you have to be an arrogant fool to be a rock star."
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Gio decided to transform his look at the age of 22, primarily in a bid to be healthy.
He explained: "I was in a show at the time and I said nothing is going to change if I don't try and improve myself and be healthy and just look after myself more than anything."
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