X Factor's Stevi Ritchie hopes his story will inspire other people to never give up

The singer, 34, came sixth in this year’s competition with a series of memorable performances.

Since leaving the show, the dad-of-one has returned home to Lexden and found time to pop into his old stomping ground, the Stanway School, to meet some of the pupils.

He spent the afternoon signing autographs and chatting to the pupils.

He said: “It was really good. It’s changed quite a lot. A lot of the kids couldn’t believe it was me.”

Stevi has also been asked to go back to the school to give a talk about how he never gave up on his aspirations.

He added: “A lot of the kids want to go into singing.

“I’ve been struggling for years to try and make it, so what I want to tell them is never give up on what you want to do.

“It can take time for that door to open.

“I never thought the X Factor was going to be the way in for me.

“I always wanted to go down the musical theatre route, but noone gave me the time of day. I got no after no after no.

“There were times when I just wanted to quit.

“But there was something in me, in my heart. It was a burning desire, and then X Factor came up.”

Since the show, Stevi has had a jam-packed schedule of gigs, shows and guest appearances.

He has performed in Glasgow, Harrogate and Sheffield, and has sung with former X Factor judge Tulisa.

He has also made guest appearances at a number of Christmas parties, including for British Airways.

He is so busy, he is yet to return to his full-time job in the call centre for Colchester-based Start Rescue.

He said: “I came off the X Factor on Sunday and came back home on Monday. I had two days to unpack and get back to reality.

"On the Thursday I had my first gig in Manchester.

“It went down really well. It was my first gig.

“I’m so happy with the outcome of the show, even though I didn’t win. I’m so glad I did it.”

You might have seen Stevi on the festive TV schedule, including on 8 out of 10 Cats, Caught in the Act and the Alan Carr Specstacular.

He said: “People are going to be sick of me.

“I can’t keep up with all the different things, but I loved filming them.

“After the pressure, intensity and emotions of X Factor, I think I could possibly handle anything at the moment.”

Stevi sees himself as a TV presenter, and has his eye on a role with the X Factor’s spin-off show, the Xtra Factor.

He has 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 earlier this month, he tried his hand at presenting for the first time.

He said: “I loved it. It’s the route I want to take.

“Rylan (Clark, from Thurrock) has done so well for himself.”

Stevi is now living back in Colchester and getting used to being recognised everywhere he goes.

He said: “People keep stopping me and asking for pictures.

“It is nice and really flattering, especially in Colchester, my home town.”