Danger phone scam is busted at ‘monsters’ prison
SAM Bailey says she’ll give Simon Cowell a run for his money by giving new talent a chance on her upcoming tour.
The 2013 X Factor winner has been inspired by the music mogul to give wannabes the platform to perform to thousands of people – just like the ITV show did for her.
Sam, 39, says: “I want to give people an opportunity to shine.
“I don’t care if anyone upstages me. It’s about celebrating talent. I want my tour to be a springboard for other acts. The X Factor gave me my opportunity and I want to give something back.”
At each of her 32 UK dates, she will have singers and dancers join her on stage, including some who have appeared on The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice who “didn’t get as far as they should have”.
Sam says: “I know from being a singer on the circuit that there are people out there performing in pubs, not getting the recognition they deserve.
“I’ve been there. Everyone goes out of the room when you’re on and as soon as the bingo is back on they come rushing back. It’s really disheartening.
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“No one’s going to come and find them and they don’t think they’re good enough for shows like The X Factor. They need a bigger stage and that’s what I’m going to give them.”
The former prison officer from Leicester was catapulted to stardom on The X Factor and went on to have a number one with Skyscraper after winning in 2013.
She thanked Cowell, 57, for giving her the opportunity – and says she wants to replicate his success when it comes to spotting stars.
“Simon knows I’m touring and that people from his shows are appearing on stage. I don’t speak to him any more but I know he’s happy for me.
“I want to take over the charts with all the people I have on stage. I want to give Simon a run for his money!”
Currently in LA to perform at a gig organised by songwriter Steve Dorff, the mum of three says she would consider a move to the States.
“I’d go where the work is – Broadway would be amazing,” says Sam, who played Mama Morton in Chicago on a UK tour last year.
■Sam’s Sing My Heart Out UK tour starts on March 2 INMATES at a high-security prison set up secret phone lines to call people on the outside without warders listening in.
Prisoners spotted a loophole in the phone system at Wakefield jail – dubbed Monster Mansion because it houses some of the UK’s most dangerous criminals. Before it was busted by governors, the scam could have allowed cons to torment victims or their families.
Jailbirds used payphones to dial a low-charge number set up by a contact on the outside. Once connected they were able to call whoever they wanted. Cons pretended the number was a law firm, meaning staff at the Category A jail were legally unable to monitor calls.
At least three prisoners are believed to have been punished for setting up secret lines after governors called in cops.
The scam was set up by an inmate who was jailed for life in 2002. He is believed to pen a blog under the name Adam Mac by sending handwritten entries to friends on the outside. In his blog, he claimed he had just been trying to avoid high payphone costs, adding: “This could have had devastating consequences.”
The Ministry of Justice and West Yorkshire Police declined to comment on the incident.