DANIEL Evans, whose family founded and ran Goldline Cars in Leytonstone for more than 20 years, has won through to the next round of X Factor.

In tonight's broadcast of the ITV show, his performance of Barry Manilow's Sometimes When We Touch - and the fact that he was singing it in memory of his wife - reduced panellists Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue to tears.

Earlier this week, Mr Evans, 38, told the Guardian that after his father's death, he and his mother continued to run the company.

A couple of years ago they sold up, and he and his wife Jacqueline moved to Spain.

But their dream of a happy life there together came to an end 11 months ago when Jacqueline died giving birth to their baby, Anna Maria.

Mrs Evans had always pressed her husband to audition for X Factor, and this year he decided to give it a shot in her memory.

He told the panel: "I realised life is too short. I’ve decided this year to go for it so at least I can tell my wife I tried”.

Cheryl Cole, of girl band Girls Aloud, told him: “I can see why your wife wanted you to audition. I think she would be very proud.”

When it came to the vote, she was unable to speak for tears.

But like the other panellists, who include Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, she voted to put Mr Evans through to bootcamp.

Outside the audition room, he shared the good news with his mother, who was there with the baby.

In his interview with the Guardian, Mr Evans said he was thinking of moving back to England.