Remember that quirky fella who wowed the X Factor judging panel and British public alike back in 2010?

Well that talented scally was Aiden Grimshaw and ever since his first audition where he gave an incredible rendition of Kanye West's Gold Digger, prompting Simon Cowell to say "Now that's what I call a pop star!", all eyes have been on the 20-year-old to see what he'll do next.

Since coming ninenth on The X Factor Aiden's released his debut single Is This Love and is due to release the follow up Curtain Call on Monday (12 August). Followed by his debut album Misty Eye on 20 August.

 

We met up with Aiden down the boozer for a quick chat and a cheeky half.

Here's what he had to say:

What have you been up to lately?

I’m just getting ready for the second single to come out on 12 August, so I’m doing a little radio tour. Just talking about myself on a day-today basis really.

How do you feel about doing all the press stuff now, because we know you found it a bit uncomfortable during your time on The X Factor?

It’s fine now; it’s nice talking about it when it’s your own music that you’ve worked dead hard on. It was all a bit odd on The X Factor – I didn’t like talking about myself then.

So what made you audition for The X Factor in the first place?

I was going to go to drama school, but like a typical teenage lad I hadn’t sent off any of my application forms, so I was taking a spontaneous gap year, which my family didn’t like – it was like DEFCON 3! So I told my mum I was going to have a gap year and she didn’t like that at all. Next thing I knew someone [Aiden’s mum] had filled in an X Factor application and there I was in front of Simon Cowell!

If you could have your time on The X Factor again, would you do anything differently?

No.

You’d still choose all the same songs?

 

Yeah, I’d do everything the same because it’s got me here – a perfect position. And I think I’m really lucky with all the people around me because the music I’ve made is really good. I’m really happy with how everything’s happened. But hindsight’s a wonderful thing…

How much input did you actually have on your song choices during the show?

You get a bit of choice – you get to talk it through with people. I wanted to sing mental songs that weren’t fitting for a Saturday night TV show. But, yeah you get enough choice. There’s a bit of compromise, but they know what they’re doing – they make a very good programme.

Do you still see anyone from The X Factor?

 

Not really. I see Matt [Cardle] a little bit. He lives just round the corner, so I see him quite a bit.

Any chance you guys might collaborate in the future?

No. Just because I think we make different music. It might be nice to do but I don’t really like to talk about work, well, music stuff with him. It’s nicer just to have a beer and ogle at women.

If there was anyone in the world you could collaborate with, who would it be?

Andre 3000 from Outkast – he’s brilliant. I’ve always loved a bit of Andre 3000.

Do you still speak to Simon Cowell?

 

Erm, I’ve never spoken to Simon Cowell in my life.

Which celebrity have you got the hots for?

 

Ermmmmmmmmmmmm. I was going to say Rihanna but she’s not going to read this, so she won’t be like, ‘Oh maybe I should go on a date with Aiden.’ So I’m trying to think of someone more applicable.

OK, Kelly Brook – I watched Piranha 3D the other day. She gets eaten by a fish. But before that, there’s this shot where she’s swimming around naked in the sea with her mate. That’s really good in 3D.

So what’s next for you?

The single Curtain Call comes out 12 August then a week after is the release of the album Misty Eye on 20 August, which I’m really excited about. I mean, I’m really excited about the single but the album more so. Then in September I start an 11-date tour of the UK.

Pre-order your copy of Misty Eye now!