Steve Brookstein won the first ever season of The X Factor 20 years ago, but has maintained a life away from the spotlight in the years since.
He went from a life of fame with TV appearances, a number one single, and thousands of fans, but has now swapped the ITV stage for a local pub.
The 55-year-old, who appeared on Simon Cowell’s competition in 2004 alongside the likes of Rowetta Satchell and Tabby Callaghan, was pictured treating some lucky pub-goers to a performance last weekend.
Steve looked unrecognisable as he performed for guests at The Courtyard in Morpeth, belting out songs including My Girl.
He sported a black cap and glasses, looking worlds away from his time on The X Factor, when he was in his 30s.
Steve was promoting his new album at The Courtyard, having announced his gig last week.
Sharing a picture of himself on The X Factor with a snap from now, he said: ’20 years ago. Slim, handsome, hair!!!
‘I’m at the Courtyard in Pegswood, Morpeth this Saturday promoting my new album “More Of Me To Love”.
‘Beautiful new restaurant/bar. Come down. X.’
Steve, who sung Against All Odds in the final of The X Factor, which became his first single, is said to be living in Scotland now and covers soul music at smaller gigs.
Earlier this year, he cancelled a show at a village hall after selling just 27 tickets.
He was scheduled to perform at the Merryfield Theatre in Verwood in Dorset, which holds 300 people, but was forced to cancel just 10 days before.
At the time, his agent claimed the show was cancelled due to Steve’s health, as he had lost his voice.
But a spokeswoman for Dorset Council, which runs the Verwood Hub venue, confirmed he cancelled on February 8, over a week before he was due to take to the stage.
Six days later, as per Mail Online, Steve performed in Esher, Surrey.
He later shared a picture on X of the empty stage, with his name in a large font projected onto a screen behind the drumkit.
‘Some you win. Some you lose. But never quit,’ he wrote, appearing to suggest he’s still plotting a comeback.
Since his time on The X Factor, Steve has made his feelings on the ITV programme heard crystal clear, and claimed he was badly treated.
He alleged that the show was ‘one big theatre’ that had ‘turned music into the WWE’.
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