Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Ryan asks for help
A plea to Monklands
Coatbridge singer Ryan Lawrie has told the Advertiser he cannot progress further in The X Factor without the support of “all the people of Monklands”.
Relieved Ryan avoided elimination in the TV talent show last weekend by the skin of his teeth after surviving a nervy sing-off with fellow contestant Sam Lavery.
The judges’ votes saw the on-theedge pair level – seconds after it appeared Sharon Osbourne was on the verge of sending Ryan home – following his performance of Oasis’ Stop Crying Your Heart Out on Sunday night.
But there was no need for tears for Ryan as the deadlock results saw public votes keep him alive in the contest.
Ryan – who could be seen visibly puffing out his cheeks when told he was through – has now made the competition’s final six and hopes the backing of his home town and beyond can see him realise his dream of reaching next month’s final.
The 20-year-old said: “It was a very nerve-wracking experience as this was the first time I’d been in a sing-off.
“I was pretty philosophical about my chances and when the voting came round to Sharon I thought I was going home. But she sent it to deadlock and the public votes saved me.
“It just shows how crucial the home support is and hopefully the people of Monklands – and Scotland – can get behind me once more this weekend.”
Ryan added: “I’d love to make the final, but can’t do it without the backing of my fans and the public.”
Last weekend’s disco theme saw Ryan bring the house down with his version of Wild Cherry’s Play That Funky Music in what judge Louis Walsh called Ryan’s “best performance yet” and had mentor Nicole Scherzinger telling Ryan his “confidence has grown so much”.
However, it wasn’t enough to save him from the elimination sing-off – much to the surprise of his family.
Sister Samantha said: “We all thought Ryan was one of the best performers so it was a big shock when he finished in the bottom two.
“We were watching at home and it was nerve-racking.
“Ryan’s sing- off was incredible and we just want to thank all of his supporters for voting – but we need to get him away from the bottom two!
“No-one from Monklands has ever been far in a competition like The X Factor. “We need the support as he has to nail this weekend; we want him straight through instead of in the bottom two.”