Simon Cowell and the X-Factor are back in Birmingham
Walsall teenager Demi Cullum, aged 17, was bubbling with excitement for a chance at being sent to the X Factor bootcamp and said: “I’m not nervous at all, I just can’t wait.
“Someone from Walsall has to win X Factor,” giggled Demi, a pupil at Alumwell School sixth form with a flock of supporters.
“I would love to be like Beyonce one day.”
Girl band Belle Sorelle, made up of sisters Gemma and Patsy Parr, aged 24 and 17, plus friends Hannah Smith, ageed 24 and Bella Bennewith, aged 17, tuned up in anticipation of facing the celebrity judges, including Cheryl Cole.
The girls, who all went to Edgecliff High School in Kinver, and live in Kinver and Stourbridge, had already impressed producers with their rendition of Sam Brown’s Stop in the previous round.
“This is the first time we have entered X Factor as we were waiting for Patsy and Bella to be old enough,” said Samantha, who works for Heart radio station in Birmingham,
“We have wanted to sing for Simon Cowell for years. Now we finally get to do it, it’s great.”
Girl band trio Black Diamond, made up of students Nicole Lewis, Chantal Laryea and Dionne Fenton, also kept their fingers crossed to stand out in the crowd after travelling from London for the show.
Cowell brushed off criticism that reality talent shows place too much pressure on contestants after Susan Boyle suffered a break down after losing Britain’s Got Talent.
