Leon Jackson won the X Factor back in 2007, aged just 18 years old - hitting the number one heights for a short time before he disappeared.
But what ever happened to the 'When You Believe' star? Glasgow Live has the latest low-down on Leon, from his 'fixed' win, to his new musical ventures.
X Factor winner - but was it totally fair?
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Leon Jackson managed to hold off his rival Rhydian Roberts in an extremely tense X Factor final, described as one of the "biggest shocks in the history of reality TV betting" but bookies Ladbroke. The singer duetted with Kylie Minogue, and nabbed the grand prize.
However, viewers were angered by the win and stated it was a 'fix' as some claimed the phone lines where down when they tried to vote for Rhydian. Ofcom, the media's watchdog, received over 1,000 complaints from viewers due to this issue.
However, the broadcasting overlords ruled overall that even if all the votes had counted with the phone line issue, Leon would have still beaten Rhydian on that count alone.
After the win, Leon signed a recording contract worth up to a £1million, with judge Simon Cowell's record label Syco. At the time, Leon said it still "didn't feel real" that he had won, while his mentor Dannii Minogue was excited for her star, and stated she "couldn't wait to see" what was next for the Scot.
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Syco heartbreak and new beginnings
Despite selling 400,000 copies of his winning single, and reaching number three and four in the UK charts with his new album, Right Now, and single Don't Call This Love - Leon was dropped by Syco. This was due to his debut album only selling 130,000 copies, as a spokesperson for Syco stating that they "wished him well."
At the time, Leon said: "I had a great year and learned so much recording and releasing my album. Every artist knows these things can go either way. I'm really looking forward to my tour and doing more writing."
However, after his departure from Syco, Leon was voted the second biggest reality TV flop in a national survey - losing out to first ever X Factor winner Steve Brookstein.
A year on from his Syco departure, Leon revealed he had been "crushed" by the news that the record company were cutting his contract short. Leon claimed music hierachy Simon Cowell had placed the youngster under "a lot of stress and strain" during the process.
In September 2010, Leon said: "t was higher than Oasis and only behind Kings Of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs and AC/DC. It sold 150,000 copies and went gold but to Sony it wasn’t good enough. You receive an advance and it's up to you how far you make it go."
Leon also added: "It was a crushing moment especially when, to my eyes, I hadn't done anything wrong." The singer even vowed never to perform When You Believe again, cutting off contact with Simon and mentor Danni Minogue for good.
Speaking to the Daily Record at the time, Leon said: "There was a false perception that I was this guy in a shiny suit singing jazz like Michael Buble. Yet when I first started singing, I appreciated people like Gavin De-Graw and Paolo Nutini or Buble's more contemporary songs such as Home or Lost.
"My number one song, When You Believe, was never me and I didn't feel comfortable with it in the first place. I was singing songs that weren't really me and doing things I had to do. I was not comfortable and it was not appealing to people my age."
LA Living
Leon headed for the USA in 2010, teaching himself piano and guitar, and embarking on a summer tour to find his love for music again. On his website, he said: "I've needed time to consolidate and make sense of everything I've experienced. I needed to fall in love with music again, this process has been slow and wrenching at times but I’m now feeling liberated and fulfilled for the first time with my work.
"Music is a conversation between the singer and the listener, and to that end the fans are the foundation of everything I do."
Leon has been living in LA since 2016, working on music production, but still contributes to charitable causes in Scotland. He raised money for the Glasgow Children's Hospital and the Children's Hospice Association Scotland.
Speaking on his website, Leon wrote: "As far as team Leon is concerned music is about life not the other way round. It’s a privilege to be able use your gifting to bring joy to people, travelling and paying the bills is a bonus."
Looking totally rugged and handsome
Now in his prime age of 33, Leon has aged like a fine wine since his X Factor days - with his new look shocking fans. He has been working on his physique, and posted a photo on social media, sporting a six-pack and a new beard.
His last post came three years ago in 2019, surprising fans with his muscles and new rugged look. Recently, Leon has been keeping a low profile on social media - but could 2022 be his return year?
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