4Sure: The Story So Far…

* In their first audition they sang ‘If You’re Not The One’ by Daniel Bedingfield and ‘Yesterday’ by The Beatles.
* On the first day of Bootcamp they sang ‘Saw Her Standing There’ and ‘Everybody Hurts’ by REM. Louis said “the first group to be final eight contenders�. Yvie Burnett said “they were great, they had their own style�.
* On the final day of Bootcamp the boys sang ‘Up Where We Belong’. Louis and his panel really liked them. Kian Egan said “the only bad thing is we can’t hear the lead singer, but I like them – definite potential.� Louis said “I like 4Sure, I really like them�.
* At the Judges House stage they sang All For One’s ‘I Swear.’

History
* Donovan put the band together just over a year ago, after getting Kriss to sing to him down the telephone.
* Jermaine and Andrew are mutual friends and joined the group at the same time.
* They have performed around the country at various holiday parks and pubs.
* They decided to enter The X Factor to raise their profile and secure a record deal.
* They called themselves 4Sure because they are four guys sure of their destiny.

Name: Donovan Bailey

Age: 38

Occupation: IT Consultant

From: Tipton, West Midlands

History

* Donovan lives in Tipton, West Midlands with his partner Maureen and three children Joshua, Alexis and Andre. He also has 2 more kids who live with their mum – Antonia (10) and Jordan (11).
* He plays the keyboard and guitar.

Name: Kriss Jones

Age: 24

Occupation: Singer/Entertainer

From: Wolverhampton

History

* Kriss was born and raised in Wolverhampton. He now lives alone in Bilston, West Midlands.
* He has two older bothers and a younger sister.
* Kriss has been singing for ten years and has been part of a group called Platinum who auditioned in the first year of The X Factor. He left them to be part of 4Sure who he’s been with for a year.

Name: Jermaine Sanderson

Age: 23

Occupation: Day centre officer

From: Wolverhampton

History

* Jermaine was born and raised in Wolverhampton
* He now lives in Eastfield with his dad and his partner, his two half brothers and his step brother.
* He plays percussion and bongos.
* Jermaine has left his job since his involvement in The X Factor to concentrate his efforts on his singing.

Name: Andrew Fisher

Age: 30

Occupation: Social Worker

From: Wolverhampton

History

* Andrew was born and raised in Wolverhampton and currently lives there with his mum, dad and sister.
* He is one of nine children and has two children of his own, Tyrell and Daniel.
* One of his hobbies is playing the guitar.

What would winning The X Factor mean to you all?

Winning The X Factor would be the culmination of years of hard work for 4Sure. Andrew explains, “I’ve been doing music for a while now and it’s hard to break into the music industry.� For Jermaine there’s a more personal reason. “If I made enough money and got far enough, it would mean my Mum would never have to work again. She’s got Lupus, a kidney disease. In the past I’ve said Mum, have my kidney but she refuses. I’d love to get her out of that situation so winning would mean so much to me.�

What would you buy if you won the show?

All of the boys would buy houses for themselves and their families. Kriss says “I’d probably go away on holiday and go on a mad shopping spree.� Keep fit addict Jermaine would also pay for a personal trainer!

What are you most looking forward to about moving to London?

Jermaine says “I’ve never been in this position before so I’m just wanting to enjoy every little bit of it – the press, the photoshoots.� But the boys know it’s all about hard work. “It’ll be great to work with a vocal coach and get into the studio� adds Donovan.

What will you miss from home?

Andrew will particularly miss his sons Tyrell and Daniel but all four will miss their families. Kriss says “My family and friends are so over the moon. They know how hard we’ve all tried over the years. They know the ups and downs that I’ve had over the past 10 years trying to make something of myself in music so they’re really supportive.�

What’s your biggest claim to fame prior to The X Factor?

Donovan has sung with Take 6 at a workshop in Birmingham. Andrew met Miss Dynamite, Chris Blackwood and Kelle Le Rock at a talent contest. But Jermaine wins the prize. “My Aunty is athlete Tessa Sanderson� he says with a smile.

What have been your best and worst jobs?

Jermaine has only ever done one job – an IT consultant – but doesn’t say if it was best or worst! Kriss used to be a door to door salesman which he made more interesting for himself by singing on people’s doorsteps. Andrew had a job he was particularly proud of. “I worked in a children’s home in Birmingham. I was working with one child and before he left he said that when he grew up he wanted to be like me. It made me so proud that I’d had some impact on him.â€?

What are your musical influences?

Andrew’s include Babyface. “I love old school singers like The Neptunes and Usher.� Kriss likes Motown, Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross and Donovan says he’s also influenced by jazz.

What’s your favourite single or album?

Andrew’s is ‘My Cherie Amour’ by Stevie Wonder and Kanye West’s first album; Chris’s choice is ‘6, 8, 12’ by Brian McKnight and Boyz II Men’s ‘Cooley High Harmony’ as his album; Jermaine’s are ‘The Mis-education of Lauren Hill’ and ‘Leave Me Alone’ by Michael Jackson and Donovan says “my favourite album is ‘I Remember You’ by McKnight with ‘When I Remember You’, the title track is my favourite single.�

When did you realise you could sing?

Jermaine says “I’ve sung from a very early age in choirs and church. I didn’t necessarily want to be a singer in the early stages because I always wanted to be a fireman!� Donovan says “I realised I could sing when I was 13 and although I pursued my career in IT, I always wanted to sing for a living.� Andrew says “I always used to sing in choir – my voice broke in the middle of a song! I’ve tried to be realistic because no matter how good you are there is a chance you may not get what you want.�