Steve Brookstein, the winner of the first X-Factor series in 2004, is in concert at the Hippodrome Theatre in Leicester Square on Saturday November 1.
A decade on, he still holds the record for the most votes in one night with over six million. He went on to have a number one album ‘Heart and Soul’ and number one single ‘Against All Odds’. He has just recorded his third studio album, Forgotten Man, which pays tribute to the Legends of Soul music.
Steve's soulful tone has allowed him to duet on ‘Yah Mo Be There’ with five times Grammy winner BeBe Winans and supported soul legend Dionne Warwick. He performs classics such as “Dance With My Father”, “Let’s Stay Together” and “ What’s Goin On?”
Born in South London in 1968, Steve’s musical ambitions only surfaced at the relatively late age of 20. He became a regular fixture at various clubs, singing soul classics by Luther Vandross, Al Green and George Benson. In 1996, he signed to MCA Records but the closure of the label meant his single never got released.
Steve gave up on singing to focus on writing and producing for a time, but entered the first series of The X Factor, and with huge public support he went onto win. The subsequent deal with Sony BMG saw his debut single, a cover version of Phil Collins ‘Against All Odds’, reach number one in the charts. But in August 2005, a fall out with Simon Cowell saw Steve leaving the label. In 2006, he independently released his second album, ’40,000 Things’ and then worked with his wife, Eileen Hunter on his debut album which he signed to Jazz FM.
‘Forgotten Man’ is his first album in 7 years and was funded by fans. It contains a mix of classic soul tracks originally recorded by acts such as The Spinners, The Temptations and The Stylistics as well as original recordings.
As well as releasing ‘Forgotten Man’, Steve is currently working on his book Getting Over The X which will be available from November 2014. He said: "I see this as the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Louis Walsh couldn't help have a dig at me in the papers this week calling me 'that awful Steve Brookstein' but luckily the negativity towards me is on the slide like The X Factor ratings; it's only a matter of time before it is cancelled."
To book tickets to the Steve Brookstein's concert at The Hippodrome call the Box Office on 0207 769 8888.
