Performers aim to impress at Sunderland X Factor auditions

Producers from X Factor have been in the city all week on the hunt for potential contestants for this year’s show.

They rounded off a trio of auditions at Bar Justice in West Sunniside, following auditions at Dun Cow and The Point earlier in the week.

Although Simon Cowell and the other famous judges don’t appear, the earlier stages are a chance for budding stars to get themselves noticed by producers ahead of the televised auditions.

Jen Normandale, 31, from South Shields, was one of those out to impress the producers,

She juggles her full time job singing, performing at venues such as Newcastle City Hall and the Customs House, with delivering song and performance sessions in schools through Tardis Education.

She said: “This is the first time I’ve ever auditioned for X Factor. When I was younger I think I thought it wasn’t for me, but my friend recommended me for these auditions and I thought ‘why not?’”

Jen, who performed Proud Mary and a track by Pink in the audition, said: “I was actually the first person to audition today so the number on my form was No 1, I’m hoping that’s a good sign.”

Also hoping to make his mark was Dave Lynas, 38, from Sunderland.

As well as performing across the region, Dave is a regular on the Sunderland acoustic circuit, singing at venues such as Life of Riley, Poetic License and Grannie Annie’s.

He said: “The producers actually rang me and asked me to come along today. They’d been researching acts in the North East and said my name kept coming up. I have some of my own material prepared, as well as some covers.”

Helen Davies from Bar Justice said: “This is the first time we’ve held the X Factor auditions here, but it seems to have gone down well. There’s been a lot of interest in social media.”