different direction
X Factor hunk looks unrecognisable 15 years after starring on the show with One Direction – but can you tell who he is?
Find out how he placed on the singing competition - which saw 1D finishing in THIRD
X FACTOR fans will be left doing a double take as a former contestant looks completely unrecognisable 15 years after they appeared on the show.
The musician - who is still performing - took part in the ITV singing show in 2010, which was eventually won by Matt Cardle.
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The chap in question is Aiden Grimshaw, who made it to the live shows on series seven of The X Factor.
Aiden tried his luck alongside boy band One Direction who, like him, had all originally auditioned as solo artists.
But while One Direction made it to the final, before going on to achieve global stardom, Aiden was unfortunately voted out in Week 6.
These days, 33-year-old Aiden is still working as a musician and has even released tracks under the alias Butterjack.
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In a recent social media post, the singer shared an acoustic cover of French musician Kavinsky's song Nightcall.
In new photos, Aiden is sporting a thick moustache and has longer hair that now flops over his forehead.
Commenting on his Instagram post, one fan said: "Go, Aiden! I've been here supporting you from the beginning.
"Your first album is a pure gem and I keep revisiting it every now and then. Chills. Keep going on!"
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Aiden replied: "Appreciate at that man, thanks for sticking around!"
Another told him: "This is so good - full release needed."
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Others simply shared a string of red heart emojis.
Aiden was just 18 years old when he auditioned for the seventh series of The X Factor.
He performed Golddigger by Kanye West in front of judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh. Dannii Minogue was absent on the day.
When asked why he thought he had The X Factor, Aiden replied: "I just think I'm good enough. It's my time, my time to shine."
He sailed through with three "yes" votes and Simon told him: "You're one of the best we've found.
"Certainly in Manchester and possibly in your category throughout the competition."
Aiden was put in Dannii's Boys group and following Judges' Houses, landed a spot in the live shows.
X Factor axe
But by week 6, he found himself in the bottom two alongside Katie Waissel and the judges chose to save her, leaving him in ninth place.
Matt Cardle went on to win, pipping Rebecca Ferguson into second, with One Direction third.
His season also saw Cher Lloyd finish fourth, with X Factor legend Wagner in sixth. Katie eventually placed 7th.
Aiden was later signed by RCA Records and released his debut single, Is This Love, in 2012.
It reached Number 35 in the singles chart.
His debut album, Misty Eye, charted at Number 19.
New music
Aiden went on to release a self-titled EP but it did not make the official UK charts and, in 2023, revealed he had spent a year releasing music under the name Butterjack.
This month, he wrote on Instagram: "March 2025. I’ve been writing songs that feel like me.
Read More on The Sun
"Today I went to a studio and sang them to someone who patiently tried to take photos for me.
"I had a great time."
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