Irish hopeful braves family tragedy to give 'X Factor' another try
Galway girl Danii Madden says the death of her father last September has "pushed her on more" to succeed in this year's 'X Factor'.
Danii auditioned last year and was put through to boot camp, but due to her exams she could not go ahead with the competition.
"I didn’t expect to get through. I just did it for the experience," she told reporters while her mother saved her place in the queue at the ExCel exhibition centre.
"My dad passed away in September so it’s pushed me on more to do it."
"It’s been my dream since I was about three," she said.
The student and model said nerves are not something she worries about.
"I’m not nervous at all. I’m an Irish dancer and a model. I’m used to being in front of people so it doesn’t really phase me," she said.
The teenager believes she has a similar voice to Christina Aguilera, describing it as "not your typical Irish voice", and is confident it will see her through to the next round.
"I’ll get through the first audition. The first ones are easy, you’ll get through unless you sound like a crow," she said.
Thousands of people queued up As 'The X Factor' began its first set of auditions in London this morning.
The format, now in its 10th series, has gone back to basics after last year’s low ratings.
Each contestant must sing acapella in front of the four-judge panel.
If they get through, they will then have to sing in front of a live audience.
Dermot O’Leary is the host again this year and has been meeting and greeting eager wannabes in the morning sunshine.
"You just get surprised all the time. The crowd are always brilliant" he said.
Although O’Leary is often the shoulder to cry on, he said there were more laughs than tears with 'X Factor' supremo Simon Cowell.
"Obviously there’s some people and it just doesn’t work out for them and the stars don’t align" said O’Leary.
