94 dogs are seized in raid

GRIEVING X Factor star Danny Tetley has revealed the pain of losing 20 loved ones in three years.

He said the mourning had threatened to overwhelm him after 15 friends, two uncles, an aunt, his brother-in-law and his pet dog of 11 years, Odin, all died.

Danny tried to block out his grief by sinking up to 10 pints a night after performing late gigs in Benidorm.

Since finding success on the X Factor he said he has curbed his unhealthy lifestyle and found focus.

And he believes his lost loved ones are “angels”, guiding him to glory.

Speaking ahead of Big Band week – his favourite genre – Danny said: “I feel all those I’ve lost have made this happen. I really believe they’re guiding me in the right way. That comforts me a hell of a lot.”

He said before his first live show his sister Leanne gave him a good luck card with the faces of 10 of those he had lost.

She wrote: “Some people dream of angels. But you’re lucky enough to have your own. They’ll be with you tonight.”

He said: “My sister said they were my angels and they would be looking down on me. It was beautiful. It did help me.”

Danny, 37, who was rejected from Pop Idol 17 years ago, described losing a “whirlwind of friends, one after another”. He said their deaths have been caused by illness, including cancer and heart attacks, accidents, and even suicide.

One of his best friends, Carl, who he prefers not to name in full, was killed in a car crash just six months ago.

Danny said: “I was in Benidorm. I had spoken to him three or four hours before about football, we were both Manchester City fans. His mum rang to tell me.”

More recently, good friend Lee Bench, who he performed with in Benidorm, passed away in his sleep.

His three-year period of loss began with his brother-in-law Stuart, aged 42. The family have asked the cause of death remain private.

Two uncles, Ralph and Ernie, died aged 82 and 78, both from ill health.

Hardest of all was his aunt Denise Gilmore, his mum’s only sister, aged 62. Danny said: “She had lung cancer. She only found out six weeks before she died. She went very quickly.”

As a result he suffered anxiety and depression, and turned to drink. But music and the focus of X Factor has finally helped him through his grief.

He said: “It got really bad but my family was like look, this isn’t the way to do it. I was doing 10 pints a night easily.

“Music has helped me. I go to sleep listening to music, wake up listening.

“X Factor has changed my life totally.” ■ X Factor is on ITV tonight at 8.10pm CARD Sister’s poignant gift NEARLY 100 dogs have been seized from an animal breeding centre.

The RSPCA and police descended on Little Rascals in Brant Broughton, Lincs, after earlier concerns over behaviour and health.

It is not clear if the concerns were linked to the raid. The RSPCA said: “A large number of animals were at the property.

“Our officers worked alongside vets to assess them. As a result 94 dogs are now in our care.” Little Rascals did not comment.