Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Public keep Coatbridge singer in the contest
Mentally Ryan Lawrie had already packed his bags and was preparing to leave The X Factor on Sunday night after finding out he was in the bottom three for the second week in a row.
But the young Coatbridge singer was left stunned, surprised and exhilarated as he was once again saved by the public in the show’s “lifeline” vote – avoiding the dreaded elimination sing-off in the process.
The 20- year- old is now more determined than ever to do well and show what he can do in the competition going forward.
Ryan told the Advertiser: “I didn’t think I was going to get through as I was in the bottom three for the second week running.
“In my mind I was preparing myself to go home, so it was a massive shock when I heard Dermot O’Leary call my name out.
“It looks as though I am maybe getting votes from younger people as the ‘lifeline’ vote is taken through an app, whereas older voters may be more used to voting by phone.
“The fact I won the ‘lifeline’ vote again shows I have support out there and this has given me more confidence for this weekend’s shows.
“It’s a Fright Night theme and I feel like I can impress the judges this time around.”
Ryan opened last Saturday night’s X Factor live show with his take on Adele’s Rolling in the Deep, which he performed while playing the guitar.
While judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne were critical of Ryan’s performance, his mentor Nicole Scherzinger highlighted that Ryan only found out what he was singing two days earlier.
As part of his preparations for Saturday’s show, Ryan received a masterclass from top R&B and soul singer John Legend.
A starstruck Ryan said: “It was a true honour meeting John Legend and surreal to be standing singing a song for him. He was a really nice guy and I’m very grateful for his advice; he is an inspiration.”
Ryan is hard at work rehearsing for this Saturday’s live programme and determined not to find himself in the bottom three once again.
He said: “I am going over my song 10 times more than I did last week and hopefully I can blow everyone away.
“Rehearsals are going well, although I am coming down with a cold so I’m drinking loads of green tea to try and shift it before the weekend.”
As ever, Ryan was backed by his proud family last weekend – with sister Samantha seeing him perform live on The X Factor for the first time in the flesh.
She said: “Seeing him live was totally different to watching him on the TV.
“He did fantastically well and the atmosphere when Ryan was singing was brilliant. I was surprised by the judges’ feedback, but the main thing is he got through and I’m sure he’ll do great for Fright Night this week.”
Ryan and Glaswegian girlfriend Emily Middlemas – who also advanced to the competition’s final nine contestants – will be joined by family, friends and fans for a special event at Glasgow’s Buchanan Galleries shopping centre this Friday afternoon.
The couple’s families are encouraging people to turn out and show their support for Ryan and Emily – videos and photos will be taken for possible use on The X Factor show.
Those interested in attending can go along from 4pm and fans with T-shirts or banners supporting Ryan and Emily are asked to bring them along.
The fact I won the ‘lifeline’ vote again shows I have support out there