X Factor - Marlon McKenzie wants Shane Ward's number

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

When Marlon McKenzie appeared on The X Factor on Saturday it wasn't the first time he had been in front of Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh.

Marlon had actually stood in the same spot three years earlier when he auditioned for X Factor series 2.

He managed to make it to bootcamp but didn't make the live shows.
Shane Ward went on to be crowned X Factor winner 2005.

To see photos of Marlon and the other hopefuls check out our X Factor Photo Gallery.

Marlon told the official X Factor website: I can't keep away from music. It's a passion, something I can't walk away from.

"I really enjoyed it last time. I made lots of friends but when I got turned down for that final seven I wanted to get out of there so bad! I was devastated.

"I remember thinking, "Why didn't I get Shane's number? We'd made friends and I was like, never going to see him around Manchester."

Marlon is thrilled to have made it to the next round but admits that he hadn't been planning to audition for the show.

He explains: "I came back to The X Factor this time because my partner's younger sister was doing the open auditions and I thought 'she'll be cold and I'll get her some tea and a hot water bottle'.

I wasn't even planning to hang out with her but I did; and I thought, I may as well audition as well. So I did. I thought, "I've got nothing to lose."

Sadly his young friend wasn't so lucky: "Her sister didn't get through, and I've never heard the end of it! It's really hard. You want to be sympathetic but you're on a high.

"It is a shame, she is a great singer."

Marlon has decided that he won't be making the same mistake twice.

He told the website: "And one thing is for sure. This time, when I get to bootcamp, I'll be sure to get everyone's telephone number!"

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Image Credit: ITV