MORE than nine million people watching X Factor in 2005 were clearly fans of Andy Abraham, voting for him to stay in the competition week after week.

He had been working as a dustbin man before entering the competition, but his fine voice and endearing personality meant he finished as the runner-up in the competition.

A deal with record label Sony BMG saw him release two albums — The Impossible Dream, which went straight to No.2 in the UK and went platinum, and Soul Man, which reached gold status.

His latest album, Even If, was released in June on his own label, B-Line Records, and Abraham wrote or co-wrote all the songs on it.

He says: “This is my first independent, original album, so in some ways I’m more proud of it, because of all the hard work that’s been done for it by my team and me.

“I think with all of us from X Factor, in the end it’s down to you to make it work, whether or not you’re signed to a major label.”

At the Wyllyotts Centre, he will perform songs such as Nat King Cole’s Unforgettable, Billy Paul’s Me and Mrs Jones, Bill Withers’ Lovely Day and material from his album, Even If, as well as answering questions from the audience.

An Evening With Andy Abraham is on at the Wyllyotts Centre, in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, on Friday, February 27, at 8pm.

Tickets cost £23 and are available from the box office on 01707 645005.