2ND SHOT A DREAM COME TRUE BGT Lifford: Childhood love saved me from booze hell

who also has two grandkids, said: “Nicola is so strong, she carried all of us. I was the biggest weight of all and there were dark times in our marriage.

“My manager would call and I wouldn’t answer the phone, I’d get my missus to answer it. I couldn’t face going out and that’s not a great move when you’re an artist and they are ploughing money into you. I didn’t feel like I was worthy of any of them but I wanted to provide and care for them.”

Carer Nicola begged Lifford to get help from his doctor in 2006, after he attempted suicide several times.

He believes he was unable to cope with the pressure of the industry because of his then undiagnosed conditions.

He spent most days boozing alone in tears at their South London home. Eventually, he plucked up the courage to go to his GP, who prescribed antidepressants and encouraged him to speak to the Samaritans. With Nicola’s support, he quit the bottle without going to rehab and is now teetotal.

He said: “There are loads of great organisations. I’ve had mates who sought help from Alcoholics Anonymous. For me, I just decided to stop. The mind is powerful. If you decide something and you really want it, you can do it.”

Lifford won a place in the semi-finals after wowing Alesha in the auditions.

But he has been dogged by claims of favouritism after it was alleged they were old mates and toured together in the noughties. Last night he played down their relationship, saying they had only met briefly once.

Lifford said: “I spoke to her for 30 seconds in Ayia Napa when I was on the same bill as [her former band] Mis-teeq and she said she liked my song.

“I haven’t spoken to her since she chose me as her golden buzzer act but I’d like to say thanks.

“It feels I’ve had a second chance. I went into this not expecting too much so I’m taking each stage as it comes. I felt accepted, like I’m good enough.

“Sometimes I wake up at 3am and think, ‘Is this real?’

“I’m 43 and I’ve never made an album but hopefully I’ll get to.”

Also performing in the live semi-finals are father and son singing duo Jack and Tim, who are show chief Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer act.

David Walliams’ golden buzzer act is Donchez Dacres and Amanda Holden’s is Welsh singer Gruffydd Wyn, while host Declan Donnelly is backing magician Marc Spelmann.