Remember X Factor siblings Same Difference? Here’s what they’re up to nine years later
BACK in 2007, wholesome siblings Sarah and Sean Smith – AKA Same Difference – sang their way into the finals of The X Factor.
The saccharine brother and sister duo finished third behind Leon Jackson and Opera nut Rhydian Roberts on the ITV talent show and landed a deal with Syco.
But after a debut single We R One, the pair released an album – imaginatively titled Pop - in 2008.
But a year later they were dropped by Simon Cowell’s record label after poor sales were blamed on the closure of Woolworths.
So where are the singing siblings now?
The sad news is that Same Difference have become Split the Difference – and Sean has recently launched a solo career.
Sarah, meanwhile, is training a whole new generation of wannabe pop sensations, from toddlers upwards.
After a year with a new label failed to revive their career, the pair set up the Same Difference Pop Academy, offering courses in their hometown of Portsmouth and in Haven holiday camps in the school holidays.
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In 2011, their bid to represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest – despite having no Swiss blood – failed and a year later they began work on a third album, Superheroes.
But on Christmas Eve, 2014, the duo announced their split.
In February this year, the SD Pop Academy found a permanent home when they opened their own studio in Portsmouth.
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Sarah told The Sun: "It's going amazingly well. I was expecting for the first year to struggle but it's been a brilliant start.
"I have found some ridiculously talented kids and the people of Portsmouth have really embraced the studios and all of the classes we put on."
However, it seems big bro Sean had other plans.
He is currently touring in the song and dance show That’s Entertainment and this month he announced his debut solo single Turn Me On, out in September.
Sarah told us: "We do still perform as Same Difference but not as regularly as Sean is doing his solo stuff and the studios take up 110% of my time.
"I could never give up completely though because I would miss it too much and when we do go out and gig it actually feels great now as its good to get get back together and do what we do best."
But despite the separate careers there’s no sibling rivalry – and Sarah is supporting him all the way.
Sarah added: "I am over the moon for him!
"Sean has singing and performing in his blood so I am so glad that he is going to get to show what he is all about. His new single is brilliant and I can't wait for everyone to hear it... I will be just as nervous for his single release as I was for the Same Difference release."
Sean told The Sun: "I'm so excited to be signed to 'Energise' records as a solo artist, to be spending time in the studio once more is beyond my wildest expectations.
"I have matured as a performer and so has my singing style and image. My debut solo single Turn Me On is due for release next month, along with a hot video to accompany it which I hope will appeal to a wider audience as well as my fantastically loyal fans who have stayed with me since the Same Difference days.
"The album is well underway and we are already working on the second single so it’s a busy time but I am thrilled to be standing on my own two feet, with an amazing team around me."
But the newly solo star hasn't ruled out a reunion in the future.
He added: "The Same Difference studios are very lucrative and Sarah is doing extremely well running them.
"I’m so proud of her and it's certainly her calling, her way of giving back.
"However, as we are brother and sister it is always something we can come back to in the future if we both wanted to, we'll never say never!"
For more info got to Sean's Twitter page
