THE X Factor has produced some of the biggest celebrity names in the world.
But not everyone reaches the glamorous heights and some quickly come back down to reality.
Once in the spotlight with millions of viewers, these former X Factor singers have now embarked on completely different career paths.
However, one star recently announced a huge career move over a decade after winning the show.
From an accountant to an OnlyFans model, here is a look at the stars who quit fame and returned to ‘normal’ jobs.
Lloyd Daniels
Lloyd Daniels was just 16 years old when he stepped on stage in front of the judges in 2009.
He made it all the way to the quarter-final, placing fifth in the Boys category mentored by Cheryl Tweedy.
Now 31, Lloyd has ditched singing and these days works as an agent representing actors.
He went on to get engaged to his actor boyfriend Joel Harper-Jackson last month.
In 2020, the Welsh singer admitted he felt pressured to hide his same-sex relationship while taking part in X Factor.
He said during an Instagram live: “I met someone on the show and we really clicked.
“I’d never had that emotion towards guys. I knew it was more than a friendship and it slowly unfolded. I ended up being with them for over a year.
Ellis Lacy
Ellis Lacy auditioned for the show in 2015 in front of Simon Cowell, Cheryl, and Nick Grimshaw.
Despite not reaching the finals of the singing contest, the hunky lad managed to create a name for himself in an entirely different industry.
He now works as a sex education model and recommends penis pumps online.
This has given Ellis the sort of internet fame he may not have achieved through Simon Cowell’s family talent show.
Chloe Khan
After bursting onto the scene on X Factor, Chloe Khan has continued to dominate the headlines.
Known for her sexy selfies, the social media and TV star has turned her life around.
In 2010, she auditioned for the X Factor and warbled her way through Summertime and a Shakira song got through to boot camp.
But she was kicked off the show after admitting she’d stayed up all night partying.
Her appearances on the show led to numerous details of her private life hitting the headlines.
However, she then disappeared from the limelight for a few years.
She then went on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 and decided after that reality TV was not for her.
She now focuses on using her platform online, particularly on Instagram where she posts her modelling work and her OnlyFans page.
Rumours put Chloe’s OnlyFans earnings at anything from £700k-£1m, though she’s not confirmed a definite figure.
Misha B
Misha B shot to fame on the eighth series of the ITV singing show in 2011.
She wowed the judges and the public with her incredible voice and made it all the way to the final.
The star ended up fourth on the show and went on to have a very successful singing career.
Some of her biggest hits include Home Run, Do You Think of Me and Here’s to Everything.
But in recent years Misha has swapped the microphone for a paint brush.
She’s created a dedicated Instagram account – there.goes.misha.
Brenda Edwards
She shot to fame on The X Factor where she finished fourth in the second series in 2005.
Since then she has carved a career as a TV presenter and stage performer.
She appeared as Motormouth Maybelle in the 2021/22 touring production of Hairspray.
Back in 2019, Brenda landed the job of a weekly panellist on Loose Women and has been on the show ever since.
She continues to inspire others by openly talking about her body confidence issues following her battle with cancer.
Chico
Chico Slimani ditched his singing career in favour of the more spiritual career path.
Last year he took to Instagram to reveal his company Block Fit’s first retreat in Morocco.
The now 53 year old auditioned for The X Factor in 2005 and made it to the live shows, being mentored by Sharon Osbourne.
Despite his gimmicky act he managed to win the public and got all the way to the quarter-finals.
Chico previously spoke to The Sun about taking a huge financial risk on the release of his third single.
He said: “I spent quarter of a million of my own money on my third single Curvy Cola Bottle Body Baby — it was all about size zero in the fashion industry.
“It didn’t get any air play and flopped. No one wanted to take Chico seriously. I had just £3.70 left in my pocket — with a family, a mortgage and all my credit cards maxed out.
“I went out for milk and bread, and when I walked past a beggar I just decided to give him it all.”