Family always knew that
DARREN Macey can remember the moment he realised his son was set for stardom.
Despite his parents not being musical themselves, Lloyd Macey grew up in a house where singing was celebrated.
The 23-year-old performed in school choirs and competed in singing competitions.
But at the age of 19, The X Factor star visited his grandmother, Nora, while she was living in a care home.
“It was so special,” his father recalls. “The way that my mum smiled and reacted, it made me realise just how incredible Lloyd’s voice is. I have a video which I still watch. It was just amazing.
“He was always singing, and always had a lovely voice – and of course he would sing in Welsh.”
Nora sadly passed away from Alzheimer’s three years ago, missing out on Lloyd pouring his heart out to millions of viewers every week on The X Factor. Darren sighs: “She would find it amazing. She would be absolutely blown away.”
Much like the rest of the UK – and even further afield. Since appearing on the hit talent show, Darren and Lloyd’s mother, 49-year-old Michelle, have been sent messages from fans across the globe, including from the Philippines, Mongolia and Afghanistan.
Living in Wattstown in Rhondda, it has been a giant leap from the Valleys to overnight success for this small family. In fact, as Darren speaks about the experience an image of his son pops up on the television, stopping him in his tracks.
“It’s surreal,” he explains. “That sums up what life is at the moment. I can’t walk down the street without people stopping me and congratulating me on what a lovely boy he is and how well he’s doing.
“I spoke to Lloyd on Thursday night in The X Factor mansion, and he told me he was on his way to the Daddy’s Home 2 premiere. I was sat with a