fynd, mae'n go i. Ond nes os ydych chi'n dod. 2013 yra exfactor, Nicolos MacDonald. Yn ni'n chwilio gen i, mae'n sefydlu yn gweithio. Rhyw llawer. Rhaen yno, mwych. Prydech chi? Rhaen. Rhaen. Rhaen. Mae'n roi in Prydech yn rhoi. Mae cyfly. Ond mae'n roi in Prydech yn rhoi. Ac wedi gweithio! Gweithio chi'n rhywbeth. Yn rhaen, nid yw Scottie Findershire yn rhaen! Rhaen! Rhaen! …fawr mewn ymddir, edrych yn y llwy â nesaf cyflaen. Rwy'n meddwl, mae'n meddwl am y dyma yn mewn y llwy ac mae'n amlwg fulwch... … Whereas mae gennym yn sefydig mewn Eau... ... mae'n meddwl a'i eisiau gallwn i gyda gwneud eiddi, pheth ynddo... … felly mae'n meddwl am y llwy ac mae mae'n meddwl am sefydlu. A dwi'n meddwl am wych yn y llwy, byddwn i ni i ddysgol â'ch mwy bwrdd yw'n meddwl... fe, I'm gonna do well on this. So I just went and signed up for it, just your normal Joe Blogs. I done loads of additions like we don't even see on the telly that are like producer additions and stuff like that, weightied outside the STV, did everything, waving hands and jumping about it and celebrating. It was freezing cold. And then the rest I don't know it was How is the process then and how has the process faced at Tiffanix? Do you send them videos first and then you make the first editions? So I do kind of send them videos because I send a bio of them. Ac I actually did three editions. I'm not showing them on TV. So the three editions were actually filmed in the... take part in the Crown Plaza at the hydro. I went there and were sitting in the sACC the old old building and it was jam packed to people 10,000 o bobl there. So I went there, and it was in like a wee tiny booth, probably not even a small, big unless table, and there was two people just sitting in chairs and you just sung a cappella to them, and if they thought you were good enough, they'd give you a slip of paper and tell you to come back the next day. So that was fine, I was coming back the next day to get through. And then after that, they took you into a room, you sung for four people in a room, they're sitting behind a table, and then they gave you, and if you do well enough, they'd give you a slip again to come back the next day. And I thought, I thought it was you just turn up and that's it, you're in front of the judges, because that's the way they make it. They make it in Italy, that's the way they edit it. So then the next day I went, and I was at the Crown Plaza and I was sitting in front of two people and a guy behind a camera filming me, and asked me about the information of our song, and they said to me, we'll let you know if you're through in the next eight weeks or so, and I was like, right, okay, so you don't get a slip of paper, so you just go back to do whatever you're doing. So I waited, and it was about, I don't know, 10 or 11 weeks past, and I was like, never heard anything, I was like, take it, never get through. Then one day I get a phone call saying congratulations, you're a foot of the judges, and I'm like, brilliant, no way, I can't believe it. That's unbelievable. It was mad, it was mad, it was crazy. Who was your mentor, Louie Wall? Hi Louie, he's brilliant, but I'm like... Louie's great, you know, a lot of people were like, oh, you'd Louie, you'd Louie. But he loved you, didn't he? He did, he did. Gailor is due, do you know? How was he to work for? He was great to work with, do you know what I mean? He actually, he really, really believed in me, he really, really did, and for something like a show like that, I feel like that's what you need. He was my mentor, but he needed to be my mentor, do you know what I mean? Do you think that there is behind the team, as they say, that he was really behind you, weren't you? Ah, he was, he really, really was. Who was other mentors there? Gary Barlow? Gary Barlow, Nicol shares on Gary Barlow. She loved you, I know about that, didn't she? Aye, she's already on it, right now. That's the only reason, have I got that show mate? That's the only reason I signed up. She is smoking, man. By the way, she's... So it was Sharnors Bond, Gary Barlow, Louie, and obviously Nicol. But Louie was great, and actually after the show, he wanted to manage me, and he said to me, he went, look, I'll manage you and blah, blah, blah. And I don't know, I just, I just didn't, I wasn't feeling it, do you know? I was just new into this industry. Louie Walsh is one of the biggest managers in the world, do you know what I mean? He's best mates, he's Simon Kills, right hand man, he'll have all the contacts you ever need to take you to places that you need to go. And for me, I don't know, I just felt that it just didn't feel right, do you know that way? And I was just like, thanks for the offer, but no thanks, do you know? And it's no thing I look back now and regret, it's a thing I look back and go, do you know what, that's life, and you learn from... It's not even a mistake, you just learn from experience, do you know what I mean? See when you were doing it, did everybody want a PC about everybody trying to beat you up? How did you know how to trust? See, you did me. You did me, there was so... There's just crazy things about that. See, I was so young, do you know what I mean? I was so young, so naive, my mum and my family didn't really know it about the industry, do you know what I mean, and how cutthroat it is, and how bad it really is. I've had one manager since I came off the show, and it was a woman who I never really met, and at the time she had... What's Cheryl Cole, what band was she in again? Girls Allowed, she had Girls Allowed, and she had loads of these big acts and whatever, and she was, I just paid her money for absolutely no reason, and she was just cutting gigs and doing this and doing that, and stupidly when I came off the show, I probably shouldn't even mention this, I don't care, is that she says to us that we need to pay her a fee up front for her work, and I was like, I just thought that was a standard procedure, so she actually got handed £15,000 before she even kicked a ball, and the woman never even made me that money back. She's not back, I think, she's not back, ads for Eye and Brew, she's not back, loads of different things, even her as her next factor tour, she was taking commission off of that, she was taking commission off of the record deal and all that that I had, and she was just taking all this money, and I'm like, this woman has no doing anything, do you know what I mean? If it wasn't for my lawyer who's amazing, I'd probably still be stuck in at the day, do you know what I mean? That's not even a small party, how bad it is, do you know what I mean? Did you just sign that contract then and just be naive to go with it and believe in it and trust her because you had these bands behind her? I had all the frows and bows and it was legit, which is legit, but she's obviously wearing a ski mask when I'm no there, do you know what I mean? But that's what the work is, it's funny because we are distributing your documentation and there's always small print on that, they then take the percentage and try to get things right, and I ain't got a clue about that, I ain't got a clue. Same, do you know what I mean? And that's what I'm saying, my mum, she's been the saving grace, do you know what I mean? If it wasn't for her reading over hangies and whatever and just hear it all the time, hear me all these young artists up and coming and signing record deals and it looks great and the sheet of paper and the small print, you've signed that for 10 years and that's it. Is that what you mean? You're stuck to that? You're stuck to him for 10 years. And you might not even do nothing? They'll put you up on a shelf and that's it and you're left there to do what you want, it's terrible. So, Jink is a lot of who you know in industry as well? It definitely is, it's who you know and you know yourself, it's word to mouth, we've been to loads of events together, we've been to loads of stuff together. People know good people, do you know what I mean? And that's the way it is, like I, he's a good guy, or watch what we have, watch her, do you know what I mean? So it's all I do with that. But hanging in Gleisgen, Wishaw in Scotland, it is a very small industry, there's not really much happening here, is there? It is, do you know and see, there's not really much happening, do you know? But there's not really many people want to help each other out, do you know what I mean? Like I'll say to you, you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. If you have me for an event and I'll sort you out, I'll help you with this, and I'm always one for giving, do you know what I mean? And my home's like, you always give, give, give, but you're not always the same son and you need to learn that and it's sad that I've learned that from the age before I was even 17, folk at 17 are just leaving school or just starting college, do you know what I mean? You know, what I went through in my life in the last five, six year is what folk would go through in six a year, do you know what I mean? I'm not saying that it's been at all of course, so it's been up and downs and up and downs all the time. But that can only propel you for the future? It does, it does. It's late to say if I've been only 21 and it's sad because it's a success out there for everybody, there is success out there for everybody, but people want it all for themselves, there's cuts for it, they're going to knock you down and knock you down and day bad things because they want to progress there. I care about realistically, people see right through it, people go, she's a wrong-ing, he's a wrong-ing, I don't want to do that, and then what happens is they've not got that backbone to do something themselves, which is scary. When you were on the show, when did you realise I can win this year or not? Em, I don't know. Because you're something out of support, you did have something out of support. Honest to God, see the people in Scotland, they're amazing, do you know what I mean? Even when I still meet people in the street and even still people say to me, you're brilliant, I get it nearly every single day, we voted for you, and I'm like, that's why I love going to these events and doing different things and meeting people that genuinely picked up the phone every single week and voted in their phone and their mother-in-law and their phone and their aunt and their niece saying, you better vote for him and I'll pay the phone bill next month. I've heard all the stories. There was one person that actually voted 400 times and I get a screenshot of it when I was on the show and your bow has got to be a bit bigger than mine. It is on the 150, a 4p or not? I was like, you're there, we're minted, absolutely minted. Obviously when you were doing the show then, who won it, Sam Bailey? Sam Bailey won it. She has some voice to be fair, she did have some voice. People say to me, you get robbed at the show, Sam Bailey is an incredible singer. She's incredible, even listening to her singing, I get shivers at my arm, that's when you know you're listening to a really, really, really good singer. She's incredible, do you know? But see now, the funny thing is, is see now, I don't want to sound big headed, but I think myself and I know myself that I'm a much better singer now than what I was then. But you're only 16? I was only 16, 17 and obviously your voice matures and you grow up and you just grow up. Do you know what I mean? But I think now my voice is so much better now and that's the thing I wish, that I wish my voice. When I went to 17, I wish my voice was as good as it is now because I would have given it a good run for her money. How can you, the Godfather of Sam Bailey's way, and is that correct in my right information? You know how the Godmother is. You're gonna die. Sharnor's born. Is that? Ah! That's Sharnor's. Aye? That's unbelievable. Sharnor's. Does that not make you feel, it was always the... No, they weren't like the kids then. Cos they're always born, aren't they? Aye, they're always born. Do you know how it's mental but you ever wake up and go, am I dreaming sometimes to have their names in my shard? Do you still use to it? I don't know, I just kind of just take it my stride and don't think about it. Cos it is mad, don't it? I think if touch would, right, but if anything happened to Sam, then... I'm just being phoned in anti-shards. I'm going, you need to take it away. You need to take it away? That's unbelievable. It's mad, isn't it? It's crazy. But I think it's brilliant and I love to show people support and for what you're doing and it takes courage on all. Was there any time you felt any stress or anxiety or did it get too much for you? Or the attention? So young. Do you know, it did a wee bit, aye, do you know, when the time I'll go back to the question you asked, when did I think I could do well? I got down to the judge's house, he's right, and there were six boys there and well, Louie was a mentor and I thought, the floor is to Gatwick Airport and it's a big reveal with the golden envelope. Where'd he gone? Has that arised? That's Louie Boy's gonna take us to Dublin. I've packed my stuff. Shorts and t-shirts, my best again, I've made it to go on my holidays. Has that, he's gonna take us to Ireland and my Snyder on it, you think? And then I thought, oh God, so I've got the envelope, and I'm like, I think I'll stand at the back. I was like, I know I've gone anyway. I think I was already heading for the terminal. To Dublin or Belfast or something. Opened it up and it took us to Saint-Tropez in France. I'm like, I've never heard that, but it sounds minty, let's go. We went there and honestly, see for me, it was a part of the show where I was like, if I don't get any further here, I'll never do it again. Because there's so much stress, so much goes on behind the scenes that people don't even know about. They're digging for information. I think people ask me as a show, rigged, but I think they know who they want to do well. They want to put us through. They need to have a set programme, like this is what we need this year. It's a business, isn't it? It's a business, I saw. They were phoning me up and asking me, the researcher researching into my background asking if my mum and dad are involved with the police, if my auntie's uncle are involved with the police, asking me questions like, how many people live in my house, where does my brother's work as, do you share a bed with your brother's? All these questions are like, but that's totally irrelevant. But now it makes sense because I don't know if they knew I was going to do well in the live shows, but I got to the live shows and obviously it's like, bam. This is the finalist of the next factor. Let's find out information. You know what it's like? Folk on it and then go on the next factor and then they're in it a week and then the headlines are, they're dazen, jail for whatever and they get chucked to it or they've had a drug addiction or, don't know what I mean, and this is the papers just digging. People just phone up and go, oh I have this one next factor. They get lifted two years ago for fighting or something like that so that they need to find out absolutely, I'm going to make sure that you've kind of got a clean slate so nothing crops up later on in the show. So I got to the judges' houses and there were six boys and I was like, you're filming, see like the clip they could go, so Nicholas, how do you feel being at the judges' houses and have they be interviewed a thing before you go on and sing? And they filmed that for about four hours and they cut it down to like 20 seconds and you're watching it back on. You kidding on? So I got to the judges' houses and I was just like, if I don't, as I say to myself, if I don't go through here, I'll never do it again. I thought it's just too much pressure, do you know what I mean? It's just too much. And I get through and I just burst out crying, but a lot of people don't know is when I was nine years old or 10, I take a cardiac arrest point in football and died on the pitch and nobody knows about that. And then I was later diagnosed with a heart condition called Long Coo T syndrome. So basically my heart beats too fast and I need to take a tablet to slow it down every day. So any anger, hut, anxiety, sudden alarm, pressure, stress, any physical exercise, any like that can trigger it. So when this happened to me for two years of my life, I basically done nothing. I remember my pals were having parties and the mum could go, mum turned around and went, I and Nicholas can come to such and such as football party, but Nicholas can't stay overnight and mum would be like, oh, just cause he's heartin' or the pain started to back off. I remember when I was sitting down PE, I'd sit in my PE kit on and I'd sit in the bench and watch everybody do it cos everyone was so scared in case anything happened again. And that was a big turning point for my life, because this was a really, really serious condition that I've got for the rest of my life and will never ever be cured. So I got to that point in the show and I get put through to the live shows and Louie Walsh and Shane Fylinfield Westlife took me aside, totally off camera and Louie says to me, the producers obviously know about your heart condition and stuff and they didn't want to put you through to the live shows. And I says, how's that? They went, cos they're just scared in case it, like so much pressure and stress, like will you be able to handle it? And I just looked and I'm dead and I went, I'll do this. I'll do this for you. I says, you need to believe in me that I'll do this. I says, I'm fine, like normal, fine. I look fine, but my heart's obviously a bit dodgy. I don't know, but he believed and that's what I mean, going back to what we spoke about earlier, like he believed in me for that moment and he was bawling his eyes out crying. He went, I've done this show for 10 years and I've never had, Shane Fylin's done it every year with him. He had Sydney and he had Nicola Appleton. I says, in the 10 years I've done it, I've never had four judges sitting at a judge's house. He's asked an addition bawling their eyes out crying. You're singing. He says, I could not say no to you. I could not. He says, I went, the producers, you've got the judges and then you get the producers of the show, the producers of the show, run it, that's it. They're the gaffers, they tell the judges what to say, what to do, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, all this. They have the final say. Louie went above and beyond him and says, he's going through and that is it. He says, I could not physically send you home. He says, I could not, I couldn't do it. Was that because, was that the producers that didn't want you there? The producers didn't want me to go on the show because they didn't think I'd handle the pressure. Causing my heart. Health and safety. I, health and safety. How would that have affected your confidence, your anxiety, everything you'd have probably, like you said, you wouldn't have went back to singing because you're thinking, right, I'm no good enough? I, I, it's also a belief in, about, honestly, about two months before I actually went on for the next fact edition, I said to my mum, I was gigging every weekend and I was like, I was like saying, I was like, 16, no, my pals were going out at that point and discovering house parties and all that, know what I mean? And then I was gigging every weekend and I was going to school obviously Monday to Friday and I was gigging Friday, Saturday, Sunday and it got to a point, about two months and I'm on the forex factor. I went, I'm not doing this anymore. I said, I'm not going to life. Like, I feel like I'm going to school and what am I feeling? I'm in a full-time job here. And I wasn't enjoying it and I'm in pubs and clubs and singing like four-hour sets for like 150 pound, which at that time, getting 150 pound at age of 16, you're up, you're mint it. Do you know what I mean? You can go to the ice cream van by Conesaure and go to shop and buy your pal's sweeties and you're like, that's fine. But I was going to chuck it and I thought, have I lasted a bash at it? Go for the sex factor and then got to Judge's house, he's at sort of saying, I get through and lose, like I couldn't have said, no, I needed to put you through. And then got to live shows and I don't know, it was just mental. It was absolutely mental. She said, did I watch that? Yeah, you did get stronger week to week to week. It did die. You did get a massive support. Did you think, but... So, first of all mate, for the hard thing mate, that's amazing. It's amazing for what you've done, I don't think that was that mentioned on the show. No, see what the thing is about the show is they know about it, everyone know about it. They wanted to use that as a sob story and I says to them, I says, I says, I says, I want to speak to the producers. He's like, mate, he's like, mate, you're 16, what are you talking about? He's like, right, okay, I'll have a meeting with him. So, after the judges' houses, they flew me to London and they took me to a specialist and then he checked on my heart, gave me an ECG, whatever. He asked what I had, he knew what it was, he knew it was that, like it's really serious condition, it's not going to be taken lightly, but it'll be absolutely fine on the show. And after that, I just said to Laila, I want a meeting with the producers and whatever to talk about stuff. And I sat them down and I says to them, my heart's fine, went to the specialist, he says I'm fine, take my tablet, that's it. I, the reality is I could drop deed in a second, taking this interview. Anybody can, but anybody can, but just with my heart, like anything, like, I remember when I first had it, my mates couldn't even walk up to me and go boo because I'd blow it up. Mum, I'd be like, I know, he's going to die, don't they? So, halla weir, I just used to sit up in my room. Now I'm no longer about scaring everybody in the house. When did you find out about your heart? So it was, when I dropped dead, I never knew anything about it. Oh, did you know? No, I was playing my local football team, Welsh Alwacum, and honest teams were set up, I was a striker, I was a poacher, I was a goalscorer, you know. And I went like that, kicked the ball to pass it to start the game off and just dropped. Mum and dad thought I'd get shot. Fucking hell. Apparently they were all screaming and shouting and this and that, and I'm just lying there. I'm dying, I'm away, I'm gone. And when I fell back, when you take a card that I crest, I fell back and when I fell back, I don't know how, but I swallowed my tongue. I can't edit it now, right? And that's stopped my airway, so I'm out and the coach of the football team, like usually if somebody's tongue is back, just tilt their head and the tongue slides forward. Mings wasn't doing that for some reason, I'm a lizard or something, so I don't know what it is. What was that? I don't know. I was like, I don't know if folk go to see the golden gates. I'm like, no, I'll just hot the ground and just remember waiting to knock on a buggy cover and bludgeon. Why won't she start it on you? You're through to live shows, Nicklas. What do you mean, Luke? Is that you? So I was out and the coach had to punch my two front teeth and pull my tongue forward and bring me back to life and that was it. So I had to meet my producers. I went, look, you obviously know about the heart condition. I want to get through my own merit in my own voice. I said, I don't want to eat this to become the Nicklas Macdonald's sob story that we play, Faye, Faye, Motherbone. Faye dodgy ticker. He's got the dodgy ticker. He's got the dodgy ticker. Because you hear it all the time and I genuinely wanted to get through and people going, I like him and I like his voice. And that's how I see this to you even before this interview started. No many people know about it. They know and it's a kind of thing that I can speak about now and raise awareness for and use my platform that I've got in my social media to be like, look, this is what I've got and speak to other people about it. And see now, like I'm an ambassador for like two or three charities just to do with the heart condition. Is that the time I see you? Is that charity events? You did a lot of charity. But for the heart thing, it shows people that you're noted. You can still achieve things in life. You're still kind of a dyn, you want. Definitely. But you've no letter to defeat you. That was like, see now, that's like my purpose now. On the show I was like, I don't want to speak about it because I want to get through my own merit. And see now that like I've got my own platform. I can say like our Glasgow Children's Hospital charity, for example, an ambassador for them. And I can go in there and I can talk to the young ones and being like, look, this is my story. Look, I, you're in hospital right now and it sucks, but it'll get better. Trust me. Look, this is what happened to me and look at me now. Like no matter where you're in your life and you can achieve it, you want to achieve, do not I mean you don't need loads of money. You don't need loads of help. Do not I mean, look at all these singers and actors that come from absolutely he-haw to being some of the biggest success in the world. Do not I mean, like you need to start for somewhere and no matter your condition, your race are absolutely like ending, just ending life like you can achieve it. And that's what I like to do now is like a young, like say young guy. A role model. Do not I mean is be a role model for these for these younger kids and being like, look, if I can do it and I never even believed in myself to be honest, I was like, if I can do it, anybody in this room can do it and it's possible to do it. Do not I mean like, I like to say to them, look, it's possible to do it. I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but now look at look at my life now. Do not I mean it and use that as a platform and a lot of these people go on these shows and on need a spectrum, but they got the rails. You've never had any bad stories. You've never been at a piss up with fucking kebab running down your face, hanging against a wall. You see a lot of these people think they've made it just because you're on that show. You're lucky. There's only a handful of people that are still active. It's true. Do you know what I mean? It's very, very, very true. Like people say, oh, where do you mean? Like I'm working. People forget that seeing your next factor, 11 million people are watching you. They watch me for nearly a whole year. The addition or the show started in like summertime or whatever and then it finished. So they were watching me for like nearly three solid months. They're watching me the full month of November through to December. Watch me on this live show. So they're watching you every weekend. They're tuning in. They're seeing you there. You're on the paper. You're in the biggest papers. You're in the biggest magazine. You're the biggest interviews. Do you know what I mean? And then seeing you come off that show, you don't get any help whatsoever. Mentally. That's absolutely God, right? I came out that final on the 18th of December 2014. No, 2013. That's a lie. I came out the show December 2013. I came out the live show, Wembley Stadium was here in the Hilton Hotel there. I walked across the Hilton Hotel. Big huge after party and all that after it. I didn't know what I'd go to yet. I wanted to go and see my family sitting on a holiday in, up the road. So I went up and see my family. And one of the people up at the show says to me, right, you're checked to here tomorrow morning. That was Monday morning. I'm like, yeah, that's fine. And I just assumed that my flight's not that booked home. So I went down in the Monday morning, my suitcase, just came on up in the show. My phone is graffin's nut. I'm just sitting in the room. Just want to sit in the room. There's a party going on down there saying, but I just want to sit in the room. Drained what? I drained and just been like. Just been like. Now that, do you know what I mean? Because I say now that because you don't know what's prepared, what's what's next. So I went and see my family. I've checked out on the Monday and I says to them, well, it's happening on my flight home. And he says, what do you mean? They never booked me a flight. Hey Matt, I had to book my plane flight home. Do you think you get used then? I think a majority of people get used. They do. See the way I say it, right? You're just not a lamp of this lot. Sounds terrible, but it's the bros it is. They, I, they care about you when you're on the show and they look after you and it's great. Don't get me wrong. But see after it, it's not like I help. I help like a phone and caller. I'm struggling with this or whatever like it is. There you go. You're into the world now and you're, you're now went for having three followers on Twitter to 300,000 and when you're on that show, they call it the X Factor bubble. So no matter where you go, I was sitting in that, that household. I went, I remember we were in the house two weeks before the live shows. And then obviously the public didn't know but we were sitting in the house and we were like, this is all the people in the live shows. Paparazzi's not finding out where we're staying. They had to get reverse a car into the back because I wanted to go to McDonald's, right? The reverse a car into the back of the double garages folded down the back seats, got loads of boxes, folded them down. I went laying the back seats and they put boxes at the top of me so they didn't know who was in the back of the motor. I had security and a driver driving me. I was walking into McDonald's and I was putting jackets in my head and all that. I felt like just me burning. And I just wanted to go for a score nugget. Do you know what I mean? I get your money. It's some curry sauce and both. See before the, see when it starts and right through as well, do you get paid? Do you get an earner to get wages around? That's an odd story. Right, so people think you go on that show on your Instagram, are you near? That's not true. So what they do is, if you've got like a mortgage in bulk to pay the gay money towards it, you don't go right wheel pay half, new pay half. So fforsom, for me, I had neighbours, I was still at school, I was 17. Do you know what I mean? But when you're there, you'll obviously get a bit full of your head. You've got full-time chefs working in the house and cooking food and whatever. But since cooking wasn't any of that good, I just wanted to have a saucy supper out of a chip. You know what I mean? They're cooking that maybe with a cup of yarn. I'm not getting that full in a domino's cup of yarn. So when you're on that show, I'll ask you the question. I was just on the live shows. I was there for 14 weeks down in London living on this live shows. How much do you think they gave me a week to live on? So is your shampoo a conditioner? Just your day-to-day stuff? Looking at it, you'd probably think people were getting a cut of a grand a week, but for you, Levin, you'd probably give you about 100 quid to 100 quid a week. They gave me 40 quid a week. That's fucking terrible. 40 quid a week. Is everybody on that salary? Well, no. Wait. So adult, so it's Sam Bailey. I don't know what she was on, but obviously she was an adult, had wanes in her mortgage, she'd a wee bit more. But they gave me 40 quid a week. So if you want to phone a pizza, you're 20 quid. All right, Levin. I'm leaving myself. Do you know what I mean? So you don't own 40 quid a week? And that show on a show that's getting 11, 20 more in views. That show on a show that's writing in, I don't know, four million and just votes. Whatever. Each week? So you're going to get a percentage of people voting for you and nothing like that? Even our songs that we sung that week went on the iTunes and they made all the money off of that. And at that time, we were actually, we were in fights with Strictly because Strictly, we were getting more views in Strictly and Strictly was like huge at that point. So the ratings were like really, really, really high. So say, like if somebody like that, my song I sung that week, they'd put it on iTunes and they would get us to promote it. And we would niggie as much as at that time. I'm saying that time, I'm talking like it's 10 years ago, but it was like one pound to buy it. It was like an apple, accounts and all that. No, you pay 10 pound a month if you get whatever you want. So they were making all the money off of that, all the money off the votes. Like they were making all the money and we're the ones doing all the work. So you start business, you're getting news, don't you? You're getting trade. And it's sad, but what about like a Christmas song because your album, your first album as well, was it number six? I number six in the UK chart and the top UK charts. And then what happened with that is when I came off the show, so what basically happened when I came off the show, basically Sam Bailey won it, right? And they make it out that you get a million pound put in your bank account. But that isn't the case. What is the case is, is if you won the show, you get a million pound contract with Sony or whatever. I would basically Simon Kill, right? And that contract is what they do is they invest a million pound into you, into your music, in a studio time promotion. I, they just would basically spend a million pound on you doing, for your first album or whatever. So they don't physically give you that money. So what I basically when I came off the show, in my eyes, I basically get the same deal as Sam Bailey, but I never won it. So for me, I got to that point in the show, I was like, I know, I know for like a few weeks into the show, she was going to win it. I know that. But for me, it was just been like, I'm hearing this is, this is, this is, this is, this is incredible, do you know what I mean? I'm, I'm, I'm on the X-Factor, like, I've watched this since I was like 10. Do you know what I mean? I've watched, that's what I said, a Chinese when my family watched it, I was going, oh, they're brilliant. Remember Leon, a loose and all these big, big names that that even now you're still hearing, they're still doing, they're doing, I love to do it, love to do that. So for me, it was never ever about one in it, but it was more about just being, just to be there, be there and enjoying the experience and being and taking it all in, do you know what I mean? Did any of her disheartened you though, when you were going through it on, you started seeing all the rats and all the way I'm getting used, I'm just another pawn in your game. Did that ever just go, what's your point in this? Aye, there is. Do you know those times, it's like you're just like some of the things that's heartened, like we ate. Like I remember I was on an agent's book and they had at that point had one direction and all that and I'm like, this is mad. It says no way. They've got one direction, they've got Nicky McDonald, they've got all the other books, that doesn't make sense. Do you know what I mean? And then at the time you're come off the show, they're putting your gigs in but behind your back. They're taking their money off. They're making their money than you that's doing the work. All they're doing is sitting behind the phone going and folk a phone name, aye, Nicky's is free, that's great. Right, pencil it in for that date and we'll speak to them, they'll phone me Nicky's, that date, the 20th December, be free, aye, that's fine. Right, I'll book it in for whatever it is and then they write it down, they phone back, the client go, right, Nicky's is free, that date, this is a fee, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, and the job's a good day within an hour. Cos it's all glitz and glam, everybody thinks it's great, I'm gonna do this and they set their whole heart on it. That's why people fear I know because when they get there, they realise it's it and they realise it's not as spectacular as the first floor to be. That's why you've got to find balance in life because 99% of the people on the show they went by the wayside because they think as soon as they're on that, that they've made it, you've know, you've know exactly and you've got to keep working. Do you know the hard work starts after the show? Do you know what I mean? It really does, it gets to the point where, like I say, you don't get any support. I, they recommend lawyers to you, they're reckoning managers and agents, but they're all near the big group, they're all looking after each other, they're not looking out for you, they're all just wanting to make the money. It's all money. They wouldn't care if you'd wrapped down and did it on that stage. That would have promoted them, they would have made a fortune out of it. Do you know what I mean? They would have promoted that on their show, made a song about it on the X-Factor singing about the best show I did. Made a wee song out of the wetter straight number one. I would have made some story. We saw it in high five and they, getting my high five out of it. That's brilliant. Wait and joke. For that, when you hear that, it kind of disheartens, kind of disheartens you as well, because when you see all that, they promote it as if they're for everybody. They'll help you, they care about your well-being, but clearly they don't listen. As a business they don't, they won't be good people there. Did you ever meet Simon Cowell? I met him once when he was a young man, once or twice when he came down and visited the live shows. And it was really, really quiet, because at that time, I think his wife was pregnant, but he didn't really tell anybody. So it was quiet, it was nice, it was really, really nice. But the only judge I didn't get along with was Gary Barlow. He, for some reason, didn't like me whatsoever. Because he was always trying to get me diggs at you? He did, all the time. And I don't know why. I was like, I haven't done anything to you, do you know what I mean? It was just, I don't know. He's a boring bastard anyway. Yeah, let's face it. It was just being hard-working, and I felt like saying to him, I would sing one week, and it would be good, and it would be stupid. That's it. I didn't like the staging. I'm going, well, I didn't pick to be the stage. I just want to come here and sing. I remember the first week on the live shows, it was 80s week. I wasn't even born in the 80s. And these muppets have got me singing 80s songs. You're not even singing? Well, the funny story is, I thought the band was called Spandex Berry. Right, but I said it was Spandex Berry. So I'm not getting an interview. I am, because with Donald, and this week I'm singing Spandex Berry. And then my mum watched it, and she said what you talked about last week. That's what women were, the banger Berlian. No way. I was a friend. I was born in the 80s. I'm lying to the public going, I know this song, and I know this song, I've heard it, but I'm like, no, I wasn't born in the 80s. But it's sad, because he should know better, we take that. But I hanged on the King, the same with Robbie Williams. I kind of bullied him. I don't really know if the bullied him, but that's the way Robbie Williams was. He was 1617 and he kind of kicked him out. I don't know if it was jealousy or anything. I don't know what it was. No, I was going to go into that, and that's what I was saying. I went to this one time, I never done it, but take him aside and say to him, say to him, you've done all this addition at this age, you know what it's like, why you've been so tourniquety on things. I'm like, I'm only 17. I feel sorry for him. I'm like, this is hard. You know what I mean? You've been the way, you're not really helping the situation. You know what I mean? Every week it was negative, negative. And then one week it was, Nicholas, you know, I've seen such a, such a change in you this week. And yeah, good job. I might as well say something. I don't know. It was just a... It wasn't a positive criticism. It was like we shot digs. It was, it was digs. It was mere digs. It was like, I would say something positive, but then it had to be dig about something negative. And I was just like, whatever. And seeing how like, when I do ladies lunches, I go, oh, gary ballo, gary ballo, not to laugh to the laugh. You take your tickets himself. All right, gary boy. Are you in contact with anybody still? Anybody who's in the show, anyway. I actually speak to Sam, obviously Sam Bailey now in a game, and I speak to a friend, but other than that, everybody just does their own thing. I'm up in Scotland, do you know what I mean? I was going to move to London a few years ago and I thought, nah, screw that. When did you start singing? I started singing when I was about 20 years old. I don't know what. Mum says I could always sing when I was really young. Do you know what I mean? Always singing. Macario could go to a song was Robbie Williams, Andrews. It's a classic. Would you have loved us a bit? Would you have loved him? You've been your mentor now. Ay. Good guy, ain't you? He's a good one, aren't you? He's a good one. He's a good one. He's a good one. Because you can tell, he's a good one. He's just honest, honest and upfront. He's like, he's like, he's great for the show because he's like, somebody that will look after a mentor just at their experiences such that I mean, but he was really nice and I've actually met him a few times. He's invited me to gigs and all that and went to see him at the Hydro. I think I've seen him in Hamden and he's just one of these guys and I met him like four years ago through his drummer and he's one of these guys I'll keep touching like, whatever and he'll take a bit of a pinch of salt and they do. Don't know these people, like, if I see them playing in Hamden I'd draw my text or whatever and be like, oh, there's any tickets or anything and I come along and I remember I took my mum to one of these gigs in Hydro and she met Robbie's dad and all that and we never actually got to meet him because he was getting a massage like before his gig that must be hard. First a fucking tough life something, innit? And I couldn't see him but back stage one of his family and I was all brand new and these are people that, like, Robbie Williams, like he's went through, he's went to Helen Barth. Do you know what I mean? Just whatever and now he's back and he's feeding and I think he's great for the show because young people coming through he'll take them under his wing and be like, he'll really take so much and that's how I think he's great for the show. Another hand, I don't know why he's wise on it. Why is she on it? Cos she's good looking. Cos he's wise? Cos it's his wife? I like, no criticising her but I don't know like, I don't, is she an actor or? I don't even know what she is, I don't think she is. I don't think, from my experience I don't know if she's got a music background or whatever. We could be sitting here long and she could have been a judge on American Idol or something. I've never seen her and I don't really know about her but she seems decent enough who she's with. She does, she seems really nice but then the last night on the X Factor, one of the girls get put out and Simon went, it's my show, blah blah blah. She's changed the rules there on the TV and I'm going like that. It happens when you're the gaffer on it. But that's what happens when you're on the show on it. You basically have your saying, I don't know, do what you want. So after the show then obviously, for the running up, how's it been then for the last five years? What's been happening? It's been mental. When you released your album as well? Aye, so obviously we did. I've done three or four tours, three done the album, that done well. And then what happened was is the record label would want to do things that I didn't want to do. And I was like, well I don't want to be in this. I don't want to be with this label, if, because the album is like a cover's album, it's that way. And there was three original songs on there. And one of the guys who actually wrote one of the original songs we actually believed by Cher. So they were putting it in the best in the business, do you know what I mean? But even at that I wasn't happy because I wanted it to all be original and be like to the fans, this is all my original stuff. But same again, young, naive, they're pushing me that multi-billion-pound company Simon Kills behind you. Well, I'm saying Simon Kills. I have record labels under his name. You should listen to these folk. They know what they're talking about. So that came out, I was happy, done really, really, really well. But since then I've been working on my own music and I left the record deal. I get my lawyer to sort that out and I just left because I wasn't happy and they wanted to take me in the direction where I wanted to be. And now being on my own, I haven't had to do as all self-funded. So recording time, studio time, videos, PR, I haven't done is all done by myself and all comes out my own pocket. Now that cost a lot of money. I could have probably bought two houses with the money I've spent. But the point is it's an investment. People go, you know the lease of music and I'm well, as you know. You're only 21. I know, 22. 22 in Friday. 22 in Friday. Don't I keep me young? No, obviously I've got the new single coming out in the 23rd day November this month. And that's the first single for a few years because with all this studio time and everything, all costs a lot, a lot of money, do you know? And I think people just think you're going to a studio and write an album within a meeting. It's all done. Do you know what I mean? And that isn't the case. Do you know? If the way I look at it I use examples if you buy a hundred pound motor you're only going to get a hundred pound worth. And then the next day it's going to break down. If you buy like say a hundred grand motor you're going to get a hundred grand out of it. So if I go into a studio session and say the guy's a hundred pound you're going to commit way a hundred. You only pay for what you get. Do you know what I mean? But if you go into a studio and you're paying a thousand pound a day, one or two tracks and you're going to get really good quality stuff and you're working with really good people, do you know? So all that all costs money but I've been everywhere. I've been absolutely everywhere all around the world all recording and stuff like that. And it's been great. It's been brilliant but I'm looking forward to the new music coming out and then for more to follow obviously in 2019. But you're still later say the first cut of year you went all out. I think it's going to be good for you to take that cut of year brick revise, get a new strategy become a stronger person industry, stronger voice. The world's still yours. It is, you know. When you come off the show that's what I'm saying people see everything. They've watched you for 14 weeks. You're still catch your name out there. You're still popular on social media. You're still everywhere gigging. Every time Instagram you're doing something everywhere. I know, I know and if people don't follow you on Instagram and whatever and no, on Instagram just social media in general they don't see you like I'm not doing something every weekend and I'm always busy like I can't remember like the last time I stopped but that's a good thing, you know. But when you're busy it's great, you know what I mean because people see you at different events and different things and if you've not got social media then they'll be like what good is this? What's happened? Is he disappeared? Is he back to his 95 job? But that isn't the case but people forget when you're on the live shows you're on that for 12 weeks they're seeing you that's what I'm saying newspapers, magazines and interviews they're seeing you all over the place so as soon as you've got that show you've got an APR behind you an AX factor behind you you've got it out yourself so you're going from high you know, there's only one way. The bubble busts. Do you know what I mean? The bubble busts and you start to graduate that just happens. News changes every day as well. Do you know what I mean? That just happens because how are you supposed to keep your profile that high? There's no bigger show the next factor. There's no bigger publicity. There's no bigger platform the next factor. Some platform for you but it's been and there's no many Scottish artists to know. The Kurt Kelvins have met them a few times there probably and they're really nice. They turned well last year I think they'll get a single out next year. Who else? Michelle McManus Michelle McManus She still does her fine gigs. Leon Jackson I've never heard them for years. I know. But maybe folk will say that about me. Do you know what I mean? But you're still quite active. But you know that because you've got me in social media and you look at that and go God, it is. Do you know what I mean? Do you know how busy I am? Do you know what I mean? But people that maybe know go to social media or whatever will be like I wonder what's happening to that? Which is totally understandable because I would be the same if I was watching it and never heard it and I never went to events or never had social media. In the back of your head you'd be like I wonder what's happening to them. Do you know what I mean? But James Arthur and that I know he took a cut of your break I think he fell out with Simon Cowell and he's got back stronger. He's got back stronger. He's actually he's same again he's a really really nice guy. To Scottish? No, he's English. He's Scottish or he's my Scottish? He's Dad's Scottish and I think he's Mum's English. He's really nice but I think he had a fault with him and then he came back but he won the show I mean and when he came out the show he was really sinoisey and music and he done it all the right way do you know what I mean? because the label wanted him to do really really well do you know what I mean? So gently dress you up they wanted to how you should be stop, walk, talk dress you up when I was in the live shows the only thing I when I was on the stage right what you see me wearing the only thing I could pick to wear was my underwear I swear to you they picked me soaps with a full styling team I was like aren't you joking? so I've not got a real where you can just pick a real? they've got something the size of this room just clays swear to God right? they put a shirt on me right and I was like just a plain white shirt and I'm like I said I don't like it and then put on this other one this plain white I said I like it I need to style this guy's like how do you know like the first one? I says to him I don't know I just don't I said I don't like the material he's like that and he's like I don't know he's like that's Givenger whatever you call it I'm like well what is it in a Google that was like a £300 shirt and I went how it's that I mean that's a top man I'm like I was like I don't know the difference honest I swear to God I'm five foot nothing do you know what I mean but with that can I and bro so they hid me they hid me for Friday and Saturday all day for like four hours at a time different outfits taking photos and saying producers like cutting things up and making it my size and everything and I'm just like I wish I could just walk into JD and just put a track on where are trainees do you know what I mean just go on and sing do you know what I mean so they made me wear everything socks that's what I'm saying the only thing I could wear is underwear cos that's the first thing I had a shirt on them all and put them on and I went well that looked good I'll put my outfit tonight wonder if that'll match the colour scheme do you know what I mean do you get vocal quotes how you do when does that start so obviously see me you go through the auditions what's the waiting as you said 12 weeks see me you say you're in as soon as your live shows your vocal stuff starts because people they get stronger you do get stronger and they focus they're really really good really really good there's some experience it's crazy so for your new single coming out your new single's out on Friday what's the date the date of the day the 23rd of November that's my birthday now you better send me a kid happy birthday I will send you a kid 22 did that read that fresh pair of boxers I don't know that's a special shot what's the new single about it's actually it's about so the single's called Limelight and it's not I think people hear that and go oh who's talking about loving the Limelight but the song's that's completely opposite it's not about that it's actually about just life in general that sometimes you'll not always get what you want but there's always light at the end of the tunnel do you know what I mean you'll have days you'll have a kid you'll have a bit of love after this I'll send you a kid we're going to put the song on at the end of this podcast by the way good I and it's just about believing in yourself and believing that you will get there do you know what I mean oh I like that so you working people by it so it's going to be an event in Spotify iTunes all that I'm looking forward to it it'll be great are you excited I'm but I'm nervous at the same time do you know because people have been waiting so long for the new music and for me it's a song I performed at a festival in the summer there and Willie's stage was a sun machine on the stage and I never walk on the stage with sunglasses on to think I was Hugh Hefner or something do you know what I mean Stevie Wonder I'm mad I was like I put sunglasses on so I started singing the song at the end just I thought I performed it I never say much about it and just see what the action is and it's a song where I didn't even get to the second verse and I was ball-mised crying underneath my glasses and it's just a song for me it's like I can relate to you so much and that's how I want to put it out so much and just be like I hope you enjoy it do you know because people could go I don't like it or whatever everybody will have their opinion do you know I just want to put it out there and just let people enjoy it and whatever do you know what I mean and you've done all this yourself as you get new management well no I kind of just do it myself and my mum helps me out now and again and it's just all myself to know it's good about your phone Louie again prank him so the new song's out on Friday yeah Nicky I think you've been absolutely brilliant today mate thanks for having me be very honest man and gain people an insight you know you could go on about it for hours do you know what I mean people will be like because people obviously just want to know about the show and what happened after it do you know what I mean but God you need to be sitting here for a week if you've gone on about it it's long do you know what I mean because it's just so much has just happened and it's just like it would affect you but later say you live and learn and it's given you the platform for this thing on Friday today you're anything and if it's your own songs you're writing your own material and you don't need to answer anybody do you know and that was like another reason why I left the label because I can go into her studio now in the right way however I want and whatever I want when I want to do it do you know what I mean and they don't dictate to me I'm mind gaffer do you know what I mean but I did feel that and see now like as I was saying I can go into her studio do my own thing did they feel genuine to you though try to take you under a wing and say look this is industry did they warn you no there's no warning signs because at the record label they're all for each other for the management they're all on the ring group for the agents they're on the ring group so it's like they're all looking after each other they're not you're just to be middleman that they're going to make a lot of money but can also be sure it's been great do you know you know yourself like it's flat out it's busy it's great it's amazing but even like all the gigs and I do I some of my charity some of my that's what I'm saying like one minute you can go for playing a wedding to then I was playing in the Hydro a few weeks ago that's right so do it well done do you know what I mean so what was that for the the colours classical eye so that's just where this job can take you that's fucking unbelievable selling it in the Hydro but it's not isn't it Maggie? no I know but you're still singing at a fall house it was good it was good and that obviously can promote you and people keeps your name out there and it's something like it's something different from what I would usually do but I was actually on at the very end and actually did a tribute to Avicii and we'd done that song Wake Me Up and it went down brilliant everybody loved it and it was just like when you're on your own I say to all the people you get your module back like that do you know what I mean you're like this is what you want to be doing did that give you the fire back then? I never lost the fire but it was like sometimes you lose your purpose why you're doing it do you know what I mean obviously everybody wants to be there and wants to play the Hydro of a Night that'd be great do you know what I mean but sometimes that's your thought but sometimes it takes longer to get there do you know what I mean I'm always saying I'm going to get there but I'd like but we need to try do you know what I mean exactly you need to believe in yourself but no and see now I like to use my platform now to help charities and help whoever I can do you know what I mean I'm always you know I even I say to you the boys I walked in about the documentary the homeless I message you after I watched it two o'clock in the morning I was like he's got it in his bed and I just I just say I say like anything I can do to help you do you know what I mean I do like I do loads of different events do you know what I mean it doesn't matter if it's big or small I'm always there to help people that's how you're well liked and that's where people they invite you to other events how can people get involved with your charities how can people get fully on social media and get everything out you can put all my social media down in there all the social media I in the description the description there we go we plug Instagram, Twitter Facebook I say a Facebook following strong Adam or Gary over a million nearly two hundred it's powerful Instagram's nearly 190 Twitter's 300 and Facebook 250 I mean I can't even count it to 100 but if you've got a bill to do a song then that's only going to that show and it's only going to that show hopefully hopefully people pick it up and you want to get the support for the radio stations that's another thing I know all the people at the radio stations but they don't make decisions who comes in and out do you know what I mean if that was the case then they'd be taking action all the time but they should support the acts they should and that's the thing see all these big radio stations either they're based up here but they're all run by a big company down in London it's hard to get in there do you know what I mean but you just need some self belief and if you actually start to believe in yourself for me all my family will believe me but if you start to believe in yourself then you're definitely going to get somewhere Nicky it's been an absolute pleasure for community I really appreciate it thanks for having me all the best for new single I'll be able to promote it mate and you've been a great guest today mate very honest mate so thank you cheers we're off yes get it on no so long how many lies many times do I keep holding on to the so called life reaching out when the sun goes down gonna pack my case hit that town don't know where don't know how but I'll keep it all together living in limelife every day is a new day every strength is a new strength in within you and I in a decision kept strong by your rendition really knows how far we're going so long to the so called life reaching out when the sun goes down gonna pack my case hit that town don't know where but I'll keep it all together living in limelife but tomorrow towards the lie many times do I keep holding on to the so called life reaching out when the sun goes down gonna pack my case hit that town don't know where don't know how but I'll keep it in limelife and I just want to say a big thank you to our new sponsor Collins Morgan Collins Morgan have assisted thousands of Scottish residents with financial difficulty so if you are struggling to keep up with the increase of cost living along with debt management then message Collins Morgan on Facebook and they will give you free, friendly and regulated advice or the solutions that are available to you thank you