Inside Tom Parker's phenomenal X Factor rise to fame after Simon Cowell's initial rejection

ok.co.uk:

Tom Parker auditioned for the X Factor almost 20 years ago but, despite him not making it past the first round, the late dad-of-two didn’t let that stop him from pursuing his dreams.The singer developed a passion for music in his teens, and learnt how to play the guitar at 16.

He then went on to audition for the X Factor, but reportedly Simon Cowell stopped Tom halfway through his performance of Westlife’s Flying Without Wings.

Despite not making it on X Factor, Tom went on to join a Take That tribute act that toured around parts of Northern England.

Then, in 2009, Tom joined The Wanted alongside Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes and Jay McGuiness.The band was put together by Jayne Collins, who also put together popular British girl band The Saturdays.The Wanted’s first single was All Time Low, which went on to debut number one in the UK charts, getting the group of five off to a flying start.Their second song Heart Vacancy then went on to top the charts at number two.