A SINGER whose confidence had been knocked at previous auditions has wowed X Factor judges and won a place in the dramatic Six Chair Challenge.
Anthony Monarch, 34, from Richmond, has already filmed the notoriously brutal Six Chair Challenge on X Factor, but has been sworn to secrecy by the ITV show bosses until the episode is aired, over this weekend, September 29, or next Saturday, October 6.
Anthony, a clinic support worker at Vimy Barracks in Catterick Garrison by day, said he has auditioned for the X Factor in the past, but has never made it beyond the audition for the producers.
He said: "I had never been seen by the judges before. I wasn't going to bother applying this year, but my friend held a private audition in Newcastle which was attended by some producers from the show, and a few days later they got in touch.
"They invited me to audition in front of the judges – Simon Cowell, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and Ayda Field – at Wembley Arena, which was really nerve-wracking.
"I had to sing in front of the producers again just to make sure they still wanted me, and luckily they did.
But on the evening I was due to sing for the judges, Simon called the auditions to an end because the audience must have been getting tired.
"I went on first the following day, but I had relaxed a bit because I'd seen the judges walking around. I was more anxious about the audience because it was huge – the biggest I'd ever seen."
Fortunately, the crowd loved Anthony, giving him a standing ovation for his rendition of When a Man Loves a Woman.
Anthony said: "Simon said the show was made for people like me, and Ayda said my voice was sexy. Robbie said I was a superstar. It was surreal, when I got offstage I was overwhelmed and I did cry.
"I have performed in pubs where it has been disheartening when people aren't really there to listen to you, so to get that reaction from a packed Wembley Arena is amazing."
If Anthony is successful in getting through the Six Chair Challenge, he will make it to the Judges' Houses round.
The judge looking after the Over 25 category is Ayda Field, actress and presenter wife of Robbie Williams.
Mr Monarch has a Facebook fan page, Anthony Monarch Music.
- The Six Chair Challenge starts on ITV at 8pm on Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30.
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