How the X Factor dream turned into a nightmare for former star Andy Abrahams
The 'singing binman' has suffered since he came second on the talent show
FOR the likes of One Direction, Little Mix and Olly Murs, the X Factor was a launchpad for a stellar career in pop.
But have you ever wondered what happens to the finalists who seem to fall by the wayside years after the initial buzz?
For Andy Abrahams - known as the 'singing binman' - life has been full of ups and downs since he was tipped for greatness in 2005.
Andy, who came second to Shayne Ward on the programme, has spoken out about being dropped from Sony BMG and the bankruptcy and depression that followed.
His story is a familiar tale for all the talent show stars who don't quite make it to the upper heights of fame and instead fall back down to earth once they've been bigged up by Simon Cowell and co.
After his success on the show, Andy scored a record deal with Sony BMG and released a platinum album.
He performed for Muhammed Ali and Nelson Mandela and even sold out the Royal Albert Hall.
But while his first album entered the UK charts at number two, his second only went to number 19 and he was soon dropped.
Twelve years on from his stint on The X Factor, Andy is now signed to Champions UK, who represent other X Factor contestants like Sam Bailey and Danyl Johnson.
He performs gigs in theatres, hotels, at charity dinners and weddings, but it's a far cry from the top of the charts.
And he is currently rehearsing for panto in Carlisle, which he has done the past four years.
"It’s weird," .
"One minute you’re on everybody’s lips.
"Twelve years down the line, it’s different.”
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Andy was declared bankrupt in 2012 and suffered depression for years.
He puts his depression down to not having grieved properly for his mother, who died during filming for X Factor.
“I was doing a lot of wrong to myself and not realising," said Andy.
“Once, my wife asked if I loved her and I said, ‘I don’t know’.
“I didn’t know who I was or what was going on.”
These days Andy is very grateful that he can still make a living from performing even if it is not as glitzy as world tours and millions in the bank.
“Being 52 now, I don’t have huge expectations.
He reflects, “Out of the thousands and thousands that have gone into the show, I’m one of the lucky ones who’s managed to carve out a career in entertainment.
“I can’t complain."
