AN IMMINGHAM busker is hoping it will be second time lucky in this year's X Factor competition– and is now within touching distance of the live auditions after impressing in the initial rounds.
Joel Smith, 18, of Bluestone Lane, took a leaf out of Ella Henderson's book – arguably the area's most successful ever contestant – and daringly sang his own original song at a mobile audition in Hull before being asked to perform again at the Manchester call-backs on Sunday, May 4.
As previous reported by the Grimsby Telegraph, hopefuls who have made it this far have been told they may get a call in the next four to six weeks offering them the chance to sing in front of an all-star judging panel.
And, while Joel may find out sooner if his footage really impresses ITV producers, he still faces an agonising wait like the rest of them.
He managed to sneak in as one of the last singers at Hull and sang his own tune Pixie Dust, a personal song about a previous relationship.
When he was interviewed at the call-back stage, there was a lot of interest around the subject and inspiration for the song as well as the fact that he has been busking and playing gigs for the last year or so.
The Franklin College student said: "Every week I'm doing gigs but I do a lot of busking as well and I once made £90 while playing outside Freshney Place for two hours which isn't bad.
"Mainly I get great feedback and I've had a few older ladies stop me and tell me I should go on the X Factor, so let's see how this goes."
Joel plans to study music at university but says that the reality competition would be a great way to get him known and bring his own tracks to the masses.
Musically, his dad is a big inspiration but his sister also had a hand in where the young man is today.
He said: "I was playing and singing in the living room one time and my sister secretly filmed me performing and then posted it on Facebook.
"Luckily it got a load of likes and helped make me more confident, so I can probably put this down to her.
"I auditioned for the X Factor last year but they said I sounded too much like Marcus Mumford (lead singer from band Mumford & Sons) but I don't see that as a bad thing and I love his band – we just happen to sound alike when we sing.
"Hopefully this year will be different because I would love to get in front of the judges.
"I'd love to know what Simon thought of my songs, so working with him would be great.
But, obviously, I'd like to meet Cheryl, too.
"I do music for the love of it – because I need to do it."
