X Factor star Emily can’t wait to catch up with her Paisley pals
Singer lined up for Piazza gig
Former X Factor star Emily Middlemas is out to prove there’s life after starring on telly’s biggest talent show.
The singer, 18, is gearing up for the release of her debut single and wants to give fans in Paisley a sneak peak.
She is fresh from playing massive arenas with pals from the ITV programme and will drop-in to the Piazza Shopping Centre for a special one-off performance.
Emily first picked up an instrument in the town after being taken under the wing of local music empresario and Express columnist Tommy McGrory.
She said: “I can’t wait to come back to Paisley — it holds such a special place in my heart.
“My brothers signed up to Tommy’s rock school and they encouraged me to get involved.
“I sat at a piano for the first time with Tommy and I can’t wait to come back and catch up.
“There are so many special memories for me here and I really want to thank all the people who helped me get so far in the X Factor. They voted for me and helped change my life.”
Emily reached the semi- finals of the competition after being mentored by Simon Cowell.
She says it has helped her fulfil dreams of playing London’s O2 Arena while zigzagging across the UK.
But the teen admits she is looking forward to playing her own music as she takes her first steps on her own.
Emily added: “I’ve got a new single coming out and I’m really looking forward to seeing what everybody thinks.
“It’s called Lost and Found and I wrote it with a friend of mine, so it means a lot.
“On X Factor, I may have become known for ballads, but this has a really contemporary feel.
“It’s laid-back electro-pop, something I’ve wanted to do for ages.
“It’s taken a while, but it’s completely finished and hopefully it’ll be on the shelves in a couple of weeks.
“The show has given me a fantastic platform to build on, but I’m ready to go on now.”
Glasgwegian Emily is writing tracks for an album due next year.
She got her first taste of the rock n’ roll lifestyle at just 13, when she joined Tommy’s Wee Band.
The group travelled to London in 2011 and bagged the Best Rock Band title at the Live and Unsigned competition before going their separate ways.
She also became a student at Paisley’s renowned McCallum School of Music when she was just nine.
Last April, she supported Scots soul legends Hue and Cry at their huge town hall show.
Emily explained: “It’s been crazy, but I’ve loved every minute of it.
“I can’t wait to catch-up with friends and meet everybody who helped drive me on.
“My diary is packed for the rest of the year with gigs and recording sessions, so it’ll be great to take a moment to relax where I feel most comfortable.”
Upcoming gigs include the QTS Ladies Night at Ayr Race Course on August 12, the Miss Scotland final on August 24 and Tam Fest, a Halloween celebration of Rabbie Burns, on October 29.
E Emily plays the Piazza on July 22.