X-Factor Auditions roll into Scotland
The X Factor rolled into Scotland yesterday – and Rod Stewart was fancying his chances.
Lookalike Alex McLeish, 55, impressed host Dermot O’Leary as he joined thousands of wannabe pop stars at the ITV hit show’s Glasgow auditions.
Hopefuls started to arrive as early as 2am – 10 hours before the SECC doors opened. Anthony Fox, 25, from Glasgow, was first in line before the huge queues started building.
He said: “I got here about 2am and it means I am the first to audition. I’ll choose from three songs and hopefully it will be good enough. The banter in the queue has been great.”
Belle Hyland, 24, travelled from Galway in Ireland to audition.
She said: “They don’t come to Ireland. They used to but Simon said everyone was c***. I’m hoping to prove that wrong.”
One contestant who may have caught the judges’ eye is 50-year-old Arlene Johnston, who arrived wearing thigh-high red PVC boots. The former air hostess, from Aberdeen, said: “I’m going to sing These Boots are Made for Walking.”
Another hopeful was the “singing porter” from Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital.
Pole Sean Kaszubski, 33, said: “I’m doing this for a patient whohas cancer. He is only 33 and he is too young to be ill.
“I am going to sing Amazing Grace – I want to give him hope.
“I sing whatever my patients ask me – they make requests. But I am always singing something.”
Singers have to impress the producers before they are allowed to perform for judges at live auditions.
The best have been invited back for a second audition today.