X Factor Runner-Up Talks Out About Taking Part in Show

X Factor runner-up Ray Quinn has spoken out about what it was like being on the show as he plans to re-launch his music career. The singer, who lost out to Leona Lewis back in 2006, was dropped by his record label the year after the show despite having success with his debut album. He then went on to star in a number of West End shows before taking part in and winning Dancing on Ice in 2009. Ray Quinn has spoken out about X Factor. Talking about the shock of being dropped, he told Metro: “I got dropped by my label when I was 18 and it felt like the end of the world – but the show did set me up for the career I’ve had.” He agreed that the programme does give contestants unrealistic expectations: “Yes – anything that happens quickly ends quickly.” He then took part in Dancing on Ice. Despite that, Ray added that he has The X Factor to thank for his career so far: “I can only thank Simon Cowell really. I chose to work in the West End and so many things came from it.” The 26-year-old is now hoping to get back into music and has set up his own record label with the help of crowd funding.