A Lancashire pub singer tipped as one of the early favourites to win this year’s X-Factor has been dumped out of the show.
Judge Louis Walsh chose to send Paul Akister, from Lancaster, home from his boys category at the judges’ houses stage of the competition.
The singer wowed Louis, who was joined by singers Nicole Appleton and Sinitta at his pad in the South of France, with a soulful version of Last Request by Paulo Nutini.
However, the veteran music manager said Paul lacked stage presence and sent the singer home to Lancashire.
Louis said: “He had an amazing voice, but he didn’t have the stage presence. In the end, I had to consider that.
“I think in a year’s time, he will have that and he will be brilliant – but I didn’t want to put him through and him to get voted off in week one or week two.”
Speaking on the show, Paul acknowledged his lack of confidence. He said: “I’ve always known that I’ve got a good voice, but I’ve always worried about self-image. Weight-wise I’ve always been a big guy.
“You need to look like the real deal. I look at myself and I don’t think that.”
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