X Factor's Sam Callahan says he wants to play Essex gig

The 19-year-old Great Totham singer is now on tour after being voted out of the TV talent show.

He said he would like nothing better than to come back to Essex and celebrate Christmas with his fans.

Callahan, who worked as a barman at the Oakhouse bar and cafe in Maldon High Street before entering the competition, said despite his X Factor ejection, his showbiz future was bright.

He said: “I’m gutted to be out of it, because it’s been the most amazing moment of my life.

“But now it’s on to the next chapter, when I get to show everyone what I am really about.

“I’m really enjoying gigging and travelling the country. I get my own tour bus with my own tour manager.

It’s amazing.”

Callahan will be back on the road again in February, with the X Factor tour and will also be releasing an album next year, featuring his own songs and some cover versions.

He said: “I’m excited to perform in all these amazing venues with my best friends. That’s what everyone wants to do.

“Before I went on the show, I had three quarters of an album written, so I want to get that out.

“It’s mostly my own songs and stuff I have written with some very talented people.”

The singer said the whole X Factor experience had bee far from easy.

He was regularly criticised by one of the the judges, Take That’s Gary Barlow.

He also had to deal with press speculation about a romance with fellow contestant Tamera Foster and being told off for selling his own merchandise.

He said: “I wasn’t really in trouble, though. I got called in and was told to take it down, so I said OK.

“Since X Factor, I’ve been getting offers left, right and centre.

“I don’t want to do musical theatre, as it’s something I did when I was younger. I am more into the commercial side of things.

“Ideally, I’d like to have my own tour and gigs. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Asked who he thought would win the singing competition, Callaghan said he was rooting for Nicholas, Luke or Tamera.