DESPITE hankering for some more telly adventures, Colchester's Stevi Ritchie is back doing what he loves.

That's entertaining audiences live on stage, which for the next few weeks is at the Princes Theatre in Clacton in Polka Dot Pantomime's production of Sleeping Beauty.

He's playing the part of Chester the Jester in the seasonal show, the irony of which does not escape the former X Factor star.

"The rest of the cast are the talented ones," he jokes. "The rest of the cast have been absolutely brilliant. They're the professionals, I'm just this guy who has been in the public eye for the last two years. Thank goodness they're here to help me through the whole thing.

"I mean honestly, the rehearsals have been tough, a proper shock to the system. I've been having to go the gym every morning just to get myself ready for it all but I've always said if you put your mind to anything it can be done."

Stevi is living proof of that with his dogged determination not to give up getting him a place on one of the biggest shows on television.

"I had auditioned for the show four times before," he tells me, "and always got a 'no'. That last one really was going to be the last. I had told myself I'm not putting myself through this anymore and if I got another 'no' I would just come back home to Colchester and that would be it."

Except he got a 'yes'.

"I had to wait about four to six days," he continues, "and then I got a call to say I was going in front of the judges. I was literally pinching myself, it was completely mad but I was still thinking 'well I've done well to get this far' and then I got on the show. Never in a million years I thought that would be possible. So crazy, I can't describe how it felt."

Stevi eventually came sixth in the hit ITV show back in 2014 and even after being booted off was a pretty much everywhere.

He had a jam-packed schedule of gigs, shows and guest appearances, including performances in Glasgow, Harrogate and Sheffield, singing with former X Factor judge Tulisa, and appearing at a number of high profile Christmas parties, including one for British Airways.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Stevi also went on such television shows as 8 out of 10 Cats, Caught in the Act and the Alan Carr Specstacular before featuring in the following year's Celebrity Big Brother with his ex-fiance Chloe-Jasmine Whichello.

"In hindsight I would have preferred to go in on my own," Stevi admits, "but after Chloe was going in the producers thought it would be good if I went in with her. I think everyone thought the whole thing was staged but it was real life for me, definitely. She's still the love of my life and I'm so sad it didn't work out between us. I've no regrets about anything but going into the house in a relationship with someone was so intense. There was so much pressure on the both of us."

By his own admission it was another experience he will never forget and another insight into the world of television, a career Stevi is still keen to pursue.

Initially he had his eye on a role with the X Factor’s spin-off show, the Xtra Factor and even asked Simon Cowell for a job as one of the show’s backstage reporters, which would see him interviewing the contestants on future shows.

During the final he got his chance at presenting for the first time and really enjoyed it.

He says: “I loved it. It’s the route I want to take. Rylan (Clark, from Thurrock) has done so well for himself and it's something I've always wanted to do. That's one of the goals for 2017."

He's also releasing a new single in, of all places, Japan.

"Oh they love a mad Englishman over there," he laughs. "I've been over before and had such an incredible time I can't wait to go back. It's coming out on Sony so a proper big record label and I'll be doing a few appearances there in February."

But before all of that he's back on home turf (sort of) doing what he loves best.

Stevi is no stranger to pantomimes after appearing in several before his X Factor run, and then last year's Beauty and the Beast in Chatham, Kent.

"Before the X Factor," Stevi adds, "that's what I used to do. After school and studying in London I got acting roles on school tours and pantomime shows so it's kind of great to be back on the stage again.

"Even after the tours I continued with the entertaining as I was a Blue Coat in Pontins in Pakefield, near Lowestoft. I was there for three years and learnt so much.

"I've always said you learn something new everyday and that was so true with my time at Pontins and so true with the show I'm doing at the moment.

"I thought being on telly was tough but I've never worked so hard as I have doing this pantomime. Really long days but it's going to be all worth while.

"It's going to be amazing. People are in for a real treat and it's so great to be doing panto so close to home."

Sleeping Beauty is at the Princes Theatre, Station Road, Clacton, until January 1. For more details on ticket prices and times either call the Princes Theatre box office on 01255 686633 or go online at www.essex-live.co.uk