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Where are they now: Sam Bailey

Cast your minds back to the not so distant past of December 2013. The X Factor is busy churning out yet another insipid Christmas number. This year’s quarry? Middle-aged mum Sam Bailey. Her humble origins as a prison officer and personable character won over the hearts of everyone idiotic enough to spend their hard earned cash on voting. Her cover of Demi Lovato’s ‘Skyscraper’ grabbed the 2013 Christmas Number One spot. The ex-cruise ship singer seemed to finally come out on top.

But since then? After her Number One 2014 album, The Power of Love, it’s been all quiet on the Bailey recording front. Well, other than supporting Beyoncé. A second single was announced, but quickly cancelled. Her label even rehashed the album for festive re-release (is that even a thing when the album was released in the same year?).

She continues to tour, appearing at Oxford New Theatre this weekend – but will she be just another one hit wonder? Only time will tell.

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