With images of unbeknown, fresh-faced, pop star wannabes gracing the tabloid front pages and a new wave of Cheryl mania, it can only mean one thing: X Factor 2010 is well underway. Whether you are tuning in to admire Cheryl’s LBD, lust over Danni’s new do or simply to watch Simon and Louie attack one another’s acts there is no denying that this year’s X Factor will be keeping many of us glued to our tele over the forthcoming Saturday nights.

Not to be forgotten from past years gone by, we thought it only fitting to revisit some of the acts who made the winters of 2005 – 2008 that bit more bearable. Love them or hate them, there will be a few surprises (and sniggers) when you find out just with what this bunch have been up to….

ANDY ABRAHAM (Came second in 2005)

Nice guy Andy had a busy time after X factor, undertaking 2 tours in 2006, and a third in 2008/2009. After releasing 3 fairly successful albums, he was chosen by the public to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with his track “Even If”. Sadly he came last and has since been trying to salvage his reputation by signing with a new management company, appearing on ‘Live From Studio Five’, raising money for The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust and presenting an award at the 2010 Urban Music Awards. Interestingly, he is joining forces with soul legends Alexander O’Neal, Kenny Thomas and Eddie Holman to perform in 15 UK performances during November and December 2010.

SAME DIFFERENCE (Came third in 2007)

Cringe-worthy sibling duo Sean and Sarah have been regulars on the holiday camp scene entertaining youngsters at Pontins, as well as performing cheesy pop at Pride events including London, Manchester and Cardiff. In August they released single ‘Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)’ which will feature on their second (yes, second!) album to be released in January 2011. One for your diaries, perhaps?

RHYDIAN ROBERTS (Came second in 2007)

Strange but successful Welsh singer Rhydian’s debut album sold 500,000 copies and last year he performed a sell-out UK tour. As well completing a second album, he performed ‘O Fortuna’ at this year’s classical BRIT awards. Rhydian is next set to star in his first musical ‘War of The Worlds – Alive on Stage!’. He will perform in a total of 19 international shows alongside Jason Donovan and Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon, kicking off in Amsterdam in November.

BAD LASHES (Came twelfth in 2008)

This girlband foursome joined just a week before they auditioned on X Factor and sadly were booted off after their first live performance. They are, amazingly, still together with things set to get ‘even crazier’ for them according to their site. Such craziness has so far included switching on Durham’s Christmas lights, supporting Sean Kingston, a St Tropez promotional tour and a few Butlins gigs at Minehead. So far 2010 has been a quiet year for them though with just three bookings: a charity performance and two private parties. Weirdly there have been no updates on their website, blog or Facebook since March when they stated that they were moving to London.

RUTH LORENZO (Came fifth in 2008)

Sexy senorita Ruth was a firm favourite of Simon Cowell’s (for obvious reasons) but surprisingly only made it to fifth place. Ruth has since left music company EMI due to ‘creative differences’ and has spent the past 2 years independently developing her album, citing to fans that she wants to ‘make an album that they deserve, not another expendable pop record that remains forgotten in time’. On her crusade, she is asking fans to donate money for the video and marketing budget of her debut single. So far she has raised $4,470 which equates to around £2408. Going by that sum, expect to be waiting around another 8 years for her album!

This year’s X Factor finalists are bringing even more variety to the show; from mini-Cheryl – we mean Cher, to teen heart throbs One Direction, emotional crooner Aiden, soul sensation Paije, crazy Wagner and many more. Fancy seeing this year’s X factor finalists perform live on tour? The 2011 X Factor Live extravaganza is set to be even bigger than ever. Don’t miss the chance to snap up your X Factor Live tickets and see this year’s winner and all X Factor finalists live on the X Factor Live stage.

With 21 shows over the dates 19th Feb 2011 – 6th April 2011, concert tickets are available for Birmingham LG Arena, Belfast Odyssey Arena, Sheffield Arena, London Wembley Arena, Manchester Evening News Arena, Brighton Centre, Nottingham Trent FM Arena, Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Aberdeen Exhibition Centre, Glasgow SECC, and Cardiff International Arena. Search now for your chance to see all the action live from a stage near you!

View the original post X Factor: Andy Abraham, Ruth Lorenzo, Rhydian Roberts – Where Are They Now? on Unreality TV

Former X Factor runner-up Andy Abraham has criticised current contestant Stacey Solomon saying she “needs to hold herself better.”

Abraham was speaking to East Herts Herald just after the release of his new Christmas single ‘Oh Holy Night.’

He said: “I like Stacey but I think she needs to hold herself a bit better because that whole Essex girl personality creeps out a bit too much.”

He also admitted that Olly Murs is his favourite contestant on the show saying:: “My favourite is Olly he reminds me of a young Robbie Williams, I do like Olly even though I think the George Michael song he did was wrong for him.

On his new single the former UK Eurovision entrant said: “The response has been great everybody has been really pleased with it. Compared to what I did on the X Factor which was a much bigger production I wanted to bring it down to a more acoustic style.

View the original post X Factor’s Andy Abraham says Stacey Solomon “needs to hold herself better” on Unreality TV

Hell’s Kitchen runner up has revealed that she is a big fan of X Factor singer Andy Abraham, so much so that she is trying to book him to sing at her upcoming wedding.

The model, who is to marry to Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, told the Daily Star:

“We want the guy from one of the X Factors to perform. Andy Abraham, who was also on Eurovision. We are trying to get Andy,” she said.

View the original post Danielle Bux Wants Andy Abraham For Wedding on Unreality TV

Former X Factor runner up Andy Abraham has spoken of the ‘uphill struggle’ he faced after finishing second in the show’s 2005 series.

Abraham was dropped by his record label after releasing his second album and though he is still working in the industry, he admits it was hard to succeed once the X Factor fever passed.

Abraham issued a warning to other losers saying: “They’ll realise quickly that the industry doesn’t want them.

“You’ve got to understand that the only reason your first single gets to number one is the X Factor brand, and when the costs are all added up, you don’t make any money out of it. Once the show moves on it’s an uphill struggle.”

However, Andy Pemberton of fellow 2005 act Journey South insisted that he would “never say anything bad about X Factor”.

“We make four or five times what I was making as an electrician. If it wasn’t for that show me and Carl would still be playing gigs in horrible pubs with our mum and dad sat there,” he added.

View the original post Andy Abraham Says Its Hard Being An X Factor Loser on Unreality TV

Former X Factor runner up, Andy Abraham, has decided to give up on his musical career.

Abraham funded his entry into the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year with his single, ‘Even If’, but was humiliated after finishing in last place with just 14 points.

He has decided that he will now concentrate on a career as a property developer.

“He was absolutely gutted at the result,” a source told the Daily Star Sunday. “He said he felt he had put in the ‘performance of his life’, so to be given ‘nul points’ by 22 countries was humiliating, especially after he staked in a large amount of his own cash.

“The result was both a personal and financial blow and as a result Handy Andy has decided to turn his hand to property developing. He’s got a few properties he’s working on at the moment. It’s not a great economic climate – but it’s marginally better than the music industry.”

View the original post Andy Abraham Gives Up His Career In Music on Unreality TV

Many have claimed that the TV talent show has lost credibilty after Leon’s shock win, but Andy hit back saying:

“Leon was chosen by the popular vote, so how could that be lacking in credibility? Like Pop Idol before it, X Factor is a great opportunity for those with talent to be heard.”

“Leon is very young and will need support from those who have been given the chance to look after him. Not all winners will be to everyone’s taste but I truly believe that Leon has a great future ahead of him.”

View the original post X Factor: Andy Abraham Defends Leon Jackson on Unreality TV

Andy and Michelle Gayle went head-to-head in the final sing off in Eurovision – Your Decision – the UK entry selection programme on BBC One tonight (Saturday 1 March 2008).

But it was Andy who was victorious with his song Even If.

Andy said: “I’m freaked out! What can I say – the public have voted me in and I’m over the moon. They believe like I did that Even If is a song for the masses. The UK audience have once again been behind me.

“I’m seriously hoping and I will try my best to them proud out in Serbia because it is about the song. I really hope people in Europe give the song a chance.”

Andy was selected to go through to the public vote in the second show after Terry Wogan selected him as the wildcard act to go through to the second round.

Andy was up against Michelle Gayle, The Revelations and Simona Armstrong for the public vote.

The Revelations and Simona left the competition immediately after the first public vote count leaving Andy and Michelle to battle it out in the final sing-off.

But Andy triumphed with the public and will now get ready to sing for glory at the Eurovision Song Contest on 24 May.

Also on the show tonight Katrina, formerly of Katrina and the Waves who won Eurovision for the UK back in 1997, performed a dance remix of their winning song Love Shine A Light.

View the original post Andy Abraham To Compete In Eurovision Song Contest! on Unreality TV

Former X Factor runner up, Andy Abraham hopes that he can bring Eurovision glory to the UK this year. He is currently preparing to go head to head with five other acts, including former pop chart topper Michelle Gayle, in Eurovision: Your Decision on BBC One in March.

Eurovision veteran Terry Wogan will be joined by Claudia Winkleman to host the two-part contest Eurovision – Your Decision on which will see six acts split into three categories going head-to-head.

The line-up this year features:

* Soloists

Chart-topping songstress Michelle Gayle who goes head to head with the X Factor’s Andy Abraham, both hoping they have got what it takes to fly solo in this year’s contest.

* Girl groups

Lively pop duo LoveShy compete with soulful motown sensations The Revelations whilst aiming to strike a chord with the voting public.

* Joseph v Maria

Rob McVeigh and Simona Armstrong won the hearts of the British public as Joseph and Maria hopefuls, but which one will hit the right notes and get the votes this time around?

View the original post Andy Abraham Entering Eurovision Song Contest 2008 on Unreality TV

He stated: “I think some of the elements of the ‘X Factor’ this year are not as good as last year. Being a themed series may not work so well and some of the songs are not working.

“The acts that have made it on must have good voices, but I don’t think this is necessarily coming across on the show.”

Ansy also thinks this year’s contestants are boring.

He said: “We had so many personalities last year like Chico and Brenda. Shayne was the teen idol, and I was the soul man. There are just not as many personalities this year.”

View the original post X Factor: Andy Abrahams Thinks Judges Have Let Contestants Down on Unreality TV

Andy said: “I think Robert needs to calm down his enthusiasm. I think what Simon Cowell said is right – sometimes he can come across a bit comical.

“The songs and performances are great, but the jumping about he needs to stop.”

Andy, who is releasing his second album, ‘Soul Man’, this month added: “I think if the soul angle worked for me there is no reason why it can’t work for him. There is space for somebody else.”

View the original post X Factor: Andy Abraham Warns Robert Allen To “Calm Down!” on Unreality TV