Sam Bailey...

X Factor winner and number one recording artist Sam Bailey is to present a very select number of concert shows this autumn, including at Billingham's Forum Theatre.

The in-demand singer’s intimate performances have been slotted in between her busy stage show schedule which has included starring roles in Chicago and Fat Friends plus the forthcoming national tour of Steve Steinman’s Vampires Rock.

Sam famously went from life as a prison guard to storming to the top of the charts when she was crowned the winner of the X Factor. Her debut single Skyscraper became the UK Christmas number one and her debut album Power of Love repeated that feat in the album charts.

The down-to-earth performer with the powerhouse voice enjoys a faithful fanbase – even launching her own clothing range with high street brand Yours Clothing – and is a regular on daytime TV shows Loose Women and The Wright Stuff.

Sam’s has enjoyed a meteoric rise from her first nervous audition on the X Factor performing Beyoncé’s Listen – which led to Gary Barlow describing her voice as “incredible”.

Show promoter David Halford recalls that under the mentorship of Sharon Osborne she became a clear favourite on the show. “Sam dazzled audiences and judges alike with her stunning voice and natural stage presence,” he says.

“She received more than a million votes over the course of the final weekend before being crowned the winner of the show.”

As well as getting up close and personal with Sam on the forthcoming date, audiences will also be treated to a performance by support act, TV comedian Mike Lancaster, who has opened for the likes of Shirley Bassey, Michael Ball and Engelbert Humperdink.

From her soaring vocals on Skyscraper to her most recent release Bleed Red and all the songs in between, theatregoers are invited to enjoy an evening of solid-gold hits with X Factor favourite Sam Bailey.

n Sam Bailey, Forum Theatre, Billingham. Saturday, October 20. 7.30pm. Tickets at 01642 552663 or forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk