Audley Anderson insists he does not regret his short stint on BBC reality TV show Fame Academy despite being booted off in its early stages.

"I do not regret Fame Academy because I believe everything happens for a reason," he said.

"I like the fact that I was not on the show for that long because, apart from Lemar, I think artists who made the latter stages of the programme will always have that Fame Academy tag."

The soul man, who is starring in Ridin' On A Soul Train at the Fairfield Halls next month, appeared on the inaugural series of the show that saw Scottish forgotten man David Sneddon become the programme's first ever winner.

But it was Rn'B star Lemar who emerged as the show's most successful artist. Despite their similarities in voice and style, Audley insists that he does not think if only'.

"I admire Lemar for what he is achieved. Maybe if I stayed on the show longer it would have been different. But there is no part of me that thinks it could have been me," he added.

"Lemar is talented and has done very well commercially, but that's where I think I'm a bit different. I see myself a little off centre of the commercial sector.

Audley says since his departure from the Fame Academy house he has learnt the true meaning of show business.

He said: "It's just what it says it is - a business. It's important to understand that there is a business side to it.

"The performing side is what we are all in it for, but one cannot happen without the other.

"Since leaving the show I have been trying to get my album out there and that costs a hell of a lot of money to do.

"So I have been working the holiday circuits at Pontins and Butlins to get some money together to do the record."

Audley insists the business side of the industry has not dampened his love of music.

"My experiences of the business does not take away my love of music," he said.

"I would not be up at 6am working on things if I did not love what I do.

"The business side of the industry keeps me rejuvenated but it's about striking the right balance between the music side and the business side."

  • Ridin' On A Soul Train; Fairfield Halls; Thursday, May 3; 8pm; £17.50-£18.50; 020 8688 9291; fairfield.co.uk.