HARLESDEN'S X Factor hopeful, John Adeleye, says he has to keep pinching himself after making it through to the live shows which start on Saturday (Oct 9).

The 30-year-old from Harlesden, who looks after people with dementia at a care home, was picked by Louis Walsh on Sunday (Oct 3) to sing in the over 28's category of the competition.

He has already won a Mobo Award for Unsung Artist of the Year in 2003 and mentored young teens to improve their singing including Oritse from boy band JLS.

The trilby wearing singer, who pens his own songs in his spare time, said singing in front of Sharon Osbourne was "so exciting" and that he had to keep pinching himself during his stay at Louis Walsh's Irish castle.

John, who has been described by Cheryl Cole as 'adorable' and 'refreshing', said: "When we arrived in Ireland it was so beautiful. Then we were taken to Louis' house and I just thought, wow. It was amazing. I had to keep pinching myself.

"Louis then appeared. Then Sharon Osborn walked around the corner. She is fierce but so inspirational."

John, who was brought up in Ladbroke Grove and moved to Harlesden in 2002 with his family, has always enjoyed singing and describes himself as a "self-taught singer" who never had lessons.

He said: "There is a lot of talent in North West London right now. To anybody wanting to break into the music industry I would say know yourself and become the best you want to be."

He joined the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Choir when he was 14 and by the age of 26 he was holding private singing lessons for youngsters. John said: "I've been singing since I was able to open my mouth. When I was 14 my brother took me to a community centre where I sang for the first time in front of a crowd. I was wearing a new jumper my mum bought me and shook with nerves the whole way through the performance."

John has been an activity co-ordinator for two years at Forrester Court care home in

Westminster helping people with early onset dementia. He runs music and drama related activities and likes to sing to them.

He said: "It is really tough because some of these people are still really active. They

are in their 50s and 60s. I knew it would be challenging job but it is rewarding seeing people benefit from your work."

John likes rock and soul music and says he is influenced by Prince, Donny Hathaway and Sting. But if there is one artist John looks up to the most it is Stevie Wonder. He said: "Stevie Wonder is an absolute legend. He never let having a disadvantage stop him. He has shown that nothing should hold you back from what you want to achieve. He has inspired a lot of people."

John, who sang Travie McCoy's hit song Billionaire at Louis Walsh's house to get through to the next round, said he loves living in Harlesden and enjoyed watching Neasden Temple be built. He has two brothers and two sisters and says his family have been so supportive. He said: "Everyone has been amazing and I think I've got what it takes to go the whole way but everyone is really good this year. We are all getting along really well but we know it is a competition."

The contestants are now gearing up for the first show on Saturday (Oct 9) night. John said: "Right now my favourite is Matt Cardle. I enjoy listening to his voice and he is a top guy. But everyone has something special and at the moment - anybody could win."

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