X Factor Wolverhampton star Joseph Whelan: Fans made me keep believing in myself
His exit from last year's X Factor sparked an online campaign to get him back. And Wolverhampton hopeful Joseph Whelan today revealed it was that support that helped him pluck up the courage to return for another shot in front of the judges.
He is now through to the X Factor bootcamp after winning rave reviews from the judges.
Joseph was left reeling when he was dumped out of the contest in 2012 despite getting rave reviews from the judges.
It sparked a Facebook campaign for him to return, which attracted 150,000 followers.
He said he had to 'pick himself back up again' and had thought twice about going back in front of the panel.
"I did feel nervous going before the judges again because of what happened last year," he said.
"I was just praying it went well, I knew it would go one of two ways. It took me a while to pick myself back up after what happened last year but I had so much support from people last time that it helped me so much.
"It was all those people and all the people who followed me on the internet and came to see me at gigs who helped me believe.
"I got really good comments off the judges, not all of which were seen on television. Gary Barlow said I have a range that I shouldn't really have, he said I shouldn't be able to hit the notes I can hit.
"Sharon gave me good comments too and she's hard to impress because she usually either loves you or she doesn't." While Joseph was impressing the judges, his son Kian was also winning over an army of fans on his own.
The cheeky youngster was allowed into the audition room to watch his father perform. He even sat on Nicole Scherzinger's lap. The Pussycat Doll complimented him on his dress sense, as the Willenhall schoolboy sported an on-trend hat, braces, shirt and jeans. Joseph, who lives in The Scotlands area of Wolverhampton, said Kian had been enjoying his second round in the limelight.
"He had a lot of comments on Twitter and a lot of people were commenting about his dress sense," said Joseph, who was also cheered on at the auditions by his partner Maxine. "People don't believe me but I swear he chose his outfit himself. People were saying he looks like a little Olly Murs."
Saturday night's audition saw him perform an acoustic version of Bon Jovi classic Always.
On Sunday night, he picked up his electric guitar for the live auditions and wowed with a performance of Sweet Child of Mine.
Joseph is fourth favourite to win.
