A TEENAGER who died after a road accident in Birmingham city centre was an X Factor contestant, it was revealed today.

Grant Booker, from Tyseley, appeared with a friend in the early rounds of the show last year.

He died in hospital after being hit by a taxi on Suffolk Street Queensway outside the Mailbox at 4am on Sunday.

The taxi driver was arrested and later bailed by police pending further inquiries.

The student had been on a night out with fellow members of a local football team when, according to his family, he became separated from the group.

Today, his mum Karen, aged 45, said: “I was shocked when they told me he had died. I couldn’t believe it. We just broke down crying.

“He was such a lovely lad. He was so placid he never had a crossed word with anyone.”

Sister Joanna, aged 21, said: “He’s died at just 17, but he had so much potential for the rest of his life.”

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