Forgotten X Factor star looks very different 19 years after failed Christmas number 1 bid to get 50k from Simon Cowell

HE first hit headlines in 2004 when he appeared on the first series of X Factor – and was set a very lucrative bet by Simon Cowell.

The music mogul promised to pay singer Paul Holt £50k if he managed to land a number one single.

Paul was quick to try to put him to the test and signed a record deal, with the backing of then judge Sharon Osbourne.

He released the song Fifty Grand For Christmas that same year – but only managed to get to number 35.

Despite not having initially success, Paul is still making music and released an album last year called Romantika.

These days Paul – who also works as an NHS handler – looks very different, but still sports the same unmistakable haircut.

Speaking about his  X Factor audition at the time, Paul said: “My audition was a bit of a car crash and I made a mess of the song.

“I sang You’re My World by Cilla Black because at that time I hadn’t long been separated from my partner and I was trying to win her back.

“But that went about as well as my audition did!” 

The first series of the X Factor was won by Steve Brookstein, who was mentored by Simon Cowell.

Steve ended up getting the Christmas number one for his first single – Against All Odds.

Other stars that year included Rowetta Stachell and Cassie Compton.

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Fay Leyfield

December 25, 2023 9:09 pm