WALTHAM FOREST: Duo through to X Factor finals (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Duo through to X Factor finals

9:53pm Sunday 5th October 2008 in

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TWO wannabe pop stars from Waltham Forest have made it through to the live finals of The X Factor.

Daniel Evans, 38, who used to run the Leytonstone taxi firm Goldline, impressed panellist Danni Minogue in St Tropez in the over 25s section.

He has now been selected to appear before a live television audience with a chance of winning the popular singing contest.

Ms Minogue said: “He can deliver a song and pulls you by the heart strings.”

Mr Evans applied to take part in the show to carry out the wishes of his late wife Jacqueline, who died after giving birth to a healthy baby girl Ana-Maria, just over a year ago.

His heartbreaking story has received a great deal of media attention and moved some of the panellists to tears during an earlier round of the show.

After hearing of his success, Mr Evans said: “Someone is looking out for me.”

Former Highams Park School pupil Austin Drage, 22, has also made it through to the live final.

Mr Drage, of Montague Road, Leytonstone, had the formidable task of performing before notoriously hard to please Simon Cowell in Barbados in the boys’ 14 to 24 years category.

But Mr Cowell was impressed and said: “He is a great singer and will work harder than any other.”