NIKI EVANS

Age: 34

From: Tamworth, Birmingham

Job: Catering manager at a school

History: Niki applied for X Factor after finding an application form had been left for her by her dad after he died. Her dad had been a huge influence in her life, so she decided to take part for him.

Niki has been in bands since the age of 12 and at 16 was signed to PWL but never had any chart success.

She lost confidence in her singing ability after failing to hit the dizzy heights, but she hopes taking part in X Factor will bring back some self belief.

Niki lives in Tamworth with husband Darren and they have two boys, Morgan, 12 and Jonah, 10.

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo says: "Being a mum herself, Niki could prove very popular with lots of mums, who can probably relate to her. She obviously has the talent, if not always the self-belief."