SINGER Stevi Ritchie has returned home to Colchester after life on the road as part of the X Factor tour.

The former Stanway schoolboy, who featured on last year’s TV talent show, finished the tour with a big gig at London’s O2 Arena.

He said: “It’s something I will never forget. I think it changed people’s minds about me.

“It was an amazing success.

Everyone put in a lot of hard work and came together to make it a storming success.

“Some people have said it was the best X Factor tour ever. To be part of that was just amazing.”

On the tour, the singer performed three solo songs, Ricky Martin’s La Vida Loca, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and Footloose, as well as performing with the other former contestants.

He added: “I got one of the biggest reactions of all the acts. It was a really nice feeling.”

Stevi’s daughter, Summer, was in the audience to watch her had sing in Bournemouth.

He said: “She loved seeing me on stage. She really enjoyed it.”