Ten years ago Steve Brookstein became a household name after winning The X Factor with a record six million votes in one night.
Stealing the nation's hearts with his acoustic love songs, the 30-something Mitcham lad released a number one single and album.
But after falling out with Simon Cowell and getting on the wrong side of the media, Steve said he decided to get out of the limelight and was soon forgotten.
He said: "I fell out with Simon after I won the show and I did a couple of interviews they didn't like and I decided to leave the record company and they started bad-mouthing me."
"Talk to the press and we'll bury you," Steve says he was threatened by Cowell's then PR guru Max Clifford.
Only now, with Clifford locked up in jail for sex assaults, does he feel confident to perform in public with a host of acoustic shows.
Funded by fans, his new album, 'Forgotten Man', contains a mix of classic soul tracks originally recorded by acts such as The Spinners, The Temptations, and The Stylistics, and some original recordings.
To hear Steve live, head down to the Colour House Theatre this Friday for what he promises will be a chilled-out, intimate gig.
Accompanied by his wife and guitarist Luca Boscagin, he'll be performing some of his new songs along with classics by soul stars, Al Green, Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross.
Steve Brookstein; Colour House Theatre, Merton Abbey Mills, Watermill Way, Colliers Wood; Friday, October 17; 7.30pm; £15; wegottickets.com/event/279782.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel