Andy Abraham

London-born sanitation worker Andy Abraham achieved widespread recognition across Britain by advancing to the final round of The X Factor’s second season. Having left his printer role in 1998 to chase a music career, he remained employed as a dustman on London’s streets until his wife registered him for the audition. He qualified and rapidly won support from viewers and judges through his intense takes on classic R&B standards. Although Shayne Ward defeated him in the final, the loss did not halt his progress; Sharon Osbourne arranged a recording contract with Sony BMG. His debut album, 2006’s The Impossible Dream, reached the number two position on the U.K. charts within its first week. After completing an extensive U.K. tour, he released his follow-up album, Soul Man, several months later.