AN R&B singer may have launched himself into the televised X Factor auditions after impressing on stage in an Essex talent contest.
Ryan Matthams, 32, of Pickwick Avenue, Newlands Spring, Chelmsford, is competing in the Factor Essex live shows for a chance to perform with the stars at Wembley.
Meanwhile, the father-of-two is awaiting a call later this month to confirm his place in series 11 of the ITV show after he was scouted performing and got through two preliminary auditions.
"It's amazing," said Ryan.
"When I actually did the first X Factor audition I didn't feel overly nervous, it was only when I got out of the room that I thought, 'what next'?
"Now it's just a waiting game as to whether I get called back."
The former Rainsford High School pupil auditioned for the first series of ITV's Pop Idol contest aged just 15, before trying his hand at Factor Essex twice over.
After being shortlisted for the Best Male Solo award at Lee Knell's Essex Entertainment Awards last year, he was invited to compete for Factor Essex.
"A lot of people give the Factor Essex show a bad name thinking it's just being used to make money but so many people have gone on from it and used it as a great platform," added Ryan, who was mentored by former X Factor finalist and Essex boy Rylan Clark during his last Factor Essex attempt.
"For young artists looking to get their name out there it's a fantastic platform," he added.
To vote for recycling transport supervisor Ryan, who will marry his fiancée in July in Hylands House, text "Essex Ryan" to 85010
