An interview with X Factor finalists group 1 Direction

Bradford hopefuls have had mixed fortunes on hit TV show X Factor, with Simon Cowell turning down girl band Husstle but giving the thumbs-up to teenager Zain Malik.

Zain, 17, entered as a solo singer but did not make it through the show’s boot-camp stage.

He was given a second chance, however, when the judges picked him for a boy band comprised of five young solo contestants.

The band, 1 Direction, was put through to the ‘judges’ homes’ stage of X Factor and at the weekend millions of viewers watched the boys sing for Simon Cowell, mentor of the groups category, at a luxury villa in Marbella.

Zain, a former pupil of Lower Fields Primary School, in East Bowling, and the other members of 1 Direction jumped for joy when they were told they had made it through to the live shows.

Zain has since been filmed in Bradford for the show.

It was a different outcome for Bradford girl group Husstle, who also performed at the villa.

The girls wept when they failed to go any further in the competition. Husstle had previously sailed through the X Factor auditions and boot camp, impressing Mr Cowell and fellow judges Louis Walsh and Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger.

The judges added a fifth member, Sam Grierson, to the four-piece – Carol Mounsey, Jessica Kozi, Stacey Camps and Alannah Waggs, who all met at Bradford PopSkool, at Dixons City Academy. Carol, director of Bradford Popskool, said: “The experience has been amazing; meeting all the judges and working with the X Factor team, especially choreographer Brian Friedman.

“Bradford PopSkool made me decide to put the band together for X Factor, to gain the experience to pass on to the students.”

PopSkool, which runs classes in vocal coaching and street dance, is at Dixons City Academy on Wednesdays, from 6pm to 8pm.

“We’re looking out for future dancers and pop stars to come and train with us,” said Carol.

  • For details, e-mail popskool@hotmail.co.uk or visit popskool.com