X Factor - Say hello to Daniel Evans

Monday, 6 October 2008

Humble pool cleaner Daniel Evans had the majority of the nation in floods of tears when he first told judges his reason for applying for the X Factor.

The 38 year-old dad-of-three from Essex, now living in Spain, almost applied to be on the show every year it's been on TV, but never actually gone through with it.

But this year he decided to take the plunge because he believes life is too short after the tragic death of his wife last year.

she died just after the birth of their 1 year-old girl, Ana Maria.

Daniel does whatever he can to make money for his little girl and himself by working as a pool cleaner in Spain, but would love to win the X Factor to give a better life to his children.

Daniel has had a love of music from an early age and in his early teens experimented with a variety of different musical instruments until he settled on the organ.

Daniel played the organ

He played the organ in his dad's 60s and 70s band , playing across the country in working men's clubs until he decided he'd sooner spend time with his friends and his girlfriend at the time.

But it wasn't until his dad had died that Daniel found he could sing, with many commenting that he had inherited his dad's voice when on karaoke.

So Daniel started singing more and more, and his wife egged him on to audition for the X Factor.

But it wasn't until after she died that Daniel decided to go for it as it was her dream to see him perform too.

Should Daniel win? Vote for him in our X Factor poll.

Meet the other X Factor over 25s.

X Factor photo gallery.