X-Factor runner-up Ray gives thanks to Merseyside

Dec 18 2006 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

Ray said: “I would not have been on that stage in the final if it wasn’t for the people of Liverpool.

“I just want to thank them and say that all of this is because of them. I am so very grateful.

“They have really looked after me and welcomed me home every time I have come back to perform.

“And I just don’t want them to be disappointed.

“I am so happy and excited and don’t want people to worry that I didn’t win. I am still happy and I am still Ray Quinn.

“I love life and try to do my best each day. You do not know what is round the corner so why spend time being sad?

“I feel blessed to be doing something I love and I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me. Simon Cowell said he was proud of both of us, and told me I should be proud of how I performed on Saturday.

“I now have to take each day as it comes and see what happens.

“There are lots of meetings planned this week so everyone can keep their fingers crossed for me that something will come of it.”

Hundreds of X-factor fans packed the Olympia theatre, on West Derby Road, to watch Saturday’s live final.

But a technical hitch left thousands of viewers around the country unable to watch the tense show.

A fault at Ntl:Telewest, the country’s largest cable provider, left up to 30,000 homes without footage and unable to vote.