Storm Lee will make his X Factor debut on tonight’s show.

The Scottish singer was born in Edinburgh but moved to LA when he was just 17, in the hopes of becoming a professional performer. He has since worked with rock legends Ozzy Osbourne and Meat Loaf and recorded vocals for American Idol stars David Archuleta, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken and Bo Bice.

Speaking to presenter Dermot O’Leary at his audition this summer, Lee said:

“I have been trying to make it in this business for maybe 25 years. This competition could change my life…I think that singing is a real gift that I have been really blessed to have. And I feel that I have to share it. I have been singing longer than other people here have even been alive! I don’t believe in last chances, but this is my last chance. Someone said lately, if you want to get hit by lightning, you have to stand in the rain. And I really believe that – I feel like I’ve been standing in the rain for 25 years.”

He added:

“I took a train, two planes, a bus and three taxis to be here.”

Simon wasn’t convinced by Lee’s unusual name. He asked:

“Storm, what’s your real name?”

Storm replied:

“Storm Lee Gardner.”

Simon persisted: ”

And that’s your real name? The name you were born with? Seriously?”

At which point Storm admitted:

“Well, I changed it when I was 16. My real name is Lee Gardner, and I added Storm. I thought I wanted a stronger name that I picked, that had something to do with the character I wanted to be – which was a singer. So I thought a new name would help me do that.”

As Storm began to sing ‘Every Breath You Take’ by Police, Mr C could be seen singing along.

Judges Comments:

Simon: Cheryl’s telling me off.

Cheryl: Well you can’t call him Lee because you’ve decided you don’t like his name.

Storm: It’s not my name – my legal name’s Storm Lee Gardner.

Simon: I’m not going to call you Storm anymore, because I think it’s a stupid name.

Cheryl: I think that’s very rude.

Storm: I think it is. Thank you Cheryl.

Simon: Ok, if I turned up tomorrow and said I’ve changed my name to Lightning, what would you say?

Cheryl: I’d call you Lightning. I would.

Storm: Would you say that to Elton John? That you wouldn’t call him Elton because it’s not his real name? Or Lady GaGa?

Simon: Look, my issue with you is that I can’t take you that seriously with calling you Storm and then trying to be a rock star, when it hasn’t worked before and I don’t think will work going forward, unless you actually do something different.

Is Storm about to blast his way to Boot Camp? This story would seem to suggest that he is! Have a listen to Storm’s single ‘I Came Here To Dance’ below and let us know if you think he has what it takes.

Tune into tomorrow night’s X Factor at 7.30pm on ITV1