The X Factor champ talks comparisons, Cowell, his new friendship with an ex-EastEnders actress and why there’s no bitterness between him and runner-up Fleur
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Sitting across from us at the shiny Sony HQ offices, Ben Haenow already looks like he’s shaping up to be quite the superstar.
He might have only had a few hours sleep over the last three days following his triumphant win on Sunday, but you couldn’t tell from looking at him – or listening to him.
“It feels incredible. It makes me feel like all the work I’ve done before has paid off,” he beams.
Even with comparisons to previous X Factor winners Steve Brookstein and Matt Cardle, who were dropped not long after winning the show?
“I think both those guys – particularly Matt as well – he’s still working as he’s still out there because he went to a couple of events we were at during the competition. And he’s on his fourth album I think now, so he is still definitely working.
“But I think it’s about what you put into it and as I say he’s still going and I would like to be releasing my fourth album at some point. That would be great.”
When we mention that former X Factor winner Sam Bailey’s recording contract might not be renewed, Ben later adds: “She’s been doing really well and she performed on the show the final one of the week, so whatever she’s doing, whether it’s on another label or independent, I think she’s still going to be working.
“I don’t feel people have said stuff about the curse of The X Factor and winning, but I really just feel in such a good place and so confident that I’m not worried at the moment.”
The Croydon-born former van driver also tells us he’s looking forward to spending time with his family at Christmas before heading into the studio to start work on his debut album, and says his mentor Simon Cowell is well deserving of his sunshine break in Barbados, too.
“He said he’s going to have a little break and he understands the intensity of the competition we’ve been through. He said go and have a little break yourself and we’ll be in touch afterwards. I think he deserves that one.”
So he doesn’t feel slightly abandoned by him jetting off to the Caribbean as soon as the show wrapped? “No, not at all! He deserves a break.”
While talking about another member of his X Factor family, Fleur East, the 29-year-old says they’re both over the moon for each other.
“We said before we went on that whoever wins this there’s no hard feelings. We’ve come so far together and we’ve genuinely made a really good friendship, so I don’t think there’s any bitterness at all.”
The singer, whose first single is on course for a Christmas number one, also revealed that ex-EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison, who played Heather Trott, started following him on Twitter, and even talked about the possibility of a collaboration.
“Course I followed her back, she’s a legend,” he said.
“We’ve had a couple of DMs. Apparently she’s a singer as well so maybe a little collaboration...”
Watch this space.
Ben’s single Something I Need is available to buy now
