As ITV announced that the X-Factor will not be returning to UK screens after it took an official hiatus in 2020, we take a look back at two of Tayside and Fife’s most notable contestants, one for all the right reasons and one just for making us laugh.
The series was created in 2004 by music mogul Simon Cowell – who also served as one of its judges for 12 seasons through its 17 year history- and brought acts like Little Mix, Olly Murs and One Direction to stardom.
But for every headline act, there was a supporting cast.
Some more memorable than others.
Colin Will
Who can forget Colin who burst on to our screens during the fourth season of the X-Factor which was aired in 2007?
At the time the 43-year-old was a gas engineer with Dundee City Council and citied having the Christmas number one as his dream.
He was incredibly sure of his singing abilities, so sure in fact that before heading to the audition – where he would face Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue, Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell – he headed to the bookies and put a £1 bet on his eventual win, with odds of 5000/1.
His confidence continued as he entered the audition room and when Louis asked if he was good enough to win Colin answered: “Yeah, ultimately I am excellent.
“Sorry to say that but I am.”
The wannabe star then took off his shoes to enable him to perform to the best of his abilities.
He erupted in to a performance of Sweet’s hit Blockbuster, which left the judges looking on bewildered at what was going on in front of them, complete with a long pause that left everyone involved looking slightly uncomfortable.
Unfortunately for Colin, the audition would be the end of his number one dreams with all four judges saying no to him continuing on to the next round.
Not letting it break his spirit though Colin left saying: “Oh well, it’s not to be.”
Jade Richards
Someone who was a lot more successful in the competition though was Buckhaven songbird Jade Richards who first auditioned in 2011.
At just 21-years-old Jade reduced judges Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh to tears with her emotional, heartfelt performance of Adele’s smash hit ballad Someone Like You.
Talking to the judges about why she wanted to take part in the X Factor, Jade said: “Most people where I stay don’t do much at all so this would hopefully give me the boost that I need to do something.”
After her strong performance Jade made it through to the judges’ houses where she performed a strong rendition of I Can’t Make You Love Me in front of mentor Kelly Rowland and guest judge Jennifer Hudson.
But it wasn’t enough to convince Kelly to put her through to the live shows and she was sent home with Kelly telling Jade: “When I saw you the first time you moved me to tears because you come from so much emotion – that’s magical.
“I was wondering: ‘Will Jade make each week different? Will she grow?’
“I know how this would change your life, your family’s life.
“I want to give you that opportunity – but I can’t take you through, I’m sorry. ”
Jade added: “I’m gutted. I’ve probably just blown the best chance I’ll ever have.”
Following the shock exit a petition was started to get the singer back to the live stages.
However it was unsuccessful – but it didn’t put Jade off.
She was back the following year though, auditioning with Amy Winehouse’s Love is a Losing Game.
Although it was another emotional performance, Jade didn’t get further than the boot camp stage and once again she was left disappointed.
Third time lucky?
After following a strict exercise and healthy eating regime and replacing her jet black hair with long caramel blonde extensions, the judges hardly recognised Jade when she returned to the audition room for the third time in 2013.
This time the judges for season 10 were Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzinger.
Speaking after her audition where her cover of Bruno Mars’ When I was your Man impressed audiences she said: “I owed it to myself to give it another shot but if it doesn’t work out this time, I won’t audition again.
“I feel like I rushed back last year and my voice wasn’t at its best but now I’m hoping it’s my time to shine.
“Gary said it was great to see me again and commented on my voice.
“He’s my favourite judge and it was great to get some feedback from him.
“Sharon was nice too.”
It wasn’t just audiences she impressed though.
The judges once again gave her four yeses and she was back at the judges’ houses, just one step away from making it to the live shows.
It was then that disaster struck once again as she was booted off the show by Nicole Scherzinger.
All wasn’t lost though as just days later the singer scooped a deal with a Glasgow-based record label, The Boombox, to produce her first album.
Producers at the label had previously worked with global megastars, including Muse, Radiohead and Michael Jackson.
Jade said: “Boombox just spotted me on X Factor – and that just shows what a great platform it is to be discovered.
“It was really nice for somebody to take an interest in my music, and we are starting on the album as soon as possible.”
Jade was the first artist to be signed to the new Boombox record label and was snapped up just 24 hours after her final appearance on the show.
Jade can be heard most recently on her Youtube channel showing that she isn’t giving up on her dreams just yet.
Maybe one day she will be back on our screens – unlike the X Factor.
