He wowed at his first X Factor audition but later withdrew from the competition after he admitted to taking drugs.
And singing hopeful Anthony Russell impressed the judges yet again during bootcamp and made it through to the Six Chair Challenge on Saturday night’s episode of the talent show.
The 27-year-old father of one displayed a steely resolve before he took to the stage to sing Beyonce’s Running, saying ‘I’m not gonna let the judges down, I’m gonna sing like my life depended on it.’
Before his shock exit: Singing hopeful Anthony Russell impressed the judges yet again during bootcamp and made it through to the Six Chair Challenge on Saturday night’s episode of the talent show
Emotion: After a shaky star Nicole Scherzinger told him he was through to the Six Chair challenge
But the smooth performance was not to be as Simon Cowell cut short his singing saying he was put off by his ‘manic’ performance.
He said: ‘Anthony this was so manic, why don’t we heard the chorus just on your own, acappella.’
Anthony then belted out the acapella version which wowed the judges although Sharon Osbourne doubted he would be able to handle the show.
Focused: The 27-year-old father of one displayed a steely resolve before he took to the stage to sing Beyonce’s Running, saying ‘I’m not gonna let the judges down, I’m gonna sing like my life depended on it’
Stop: But the smooth performance was not to be as Simon Cowell cut short his singing saying he was put off by his ‘manic’ performance
Discussion: Anthony then belted out the acapella version which wowed the judges although Sharon Osbourne doubted he would be able to handle the show
Chat: An emotional Anthony said: ‘I’ve got so much going on, I’m here to try and make Liverpool proud, do myself well and change me life’
An emotional Anthony said: ‘I’ve got so much going on, I’m here to try and make Liverpool proud, do myself well and change me life.’
Nicole Scherzinger then told him he was through.
She said: ‘You’ve got great likability and I think if you focus you could do really well here, so we’re gonna put you through to the six chair challenge.
Simon then called him a ‘good kid’
Response: Nicole Scherzinger then told him he was through. She said: ‘You’ve got great likability and I think if you focus you could do really well here, so we’re gonna put you through to the six chair challenge’
Nicole responded: ‘Everyone wants to root for him.’
Despite his endearing performance, Anthony withdrew from the series shortly afterwards.
The Liverpudlian – who was dubbed Skippy by judge Sharon Osbourne – memorably showed up to the audition with a black eye after he was attacked by gang following one of his gigs.
Shock exit:Despite his endearing performance, Anthony withdrew from the series shortly afterwards amid a drug scandal
Vowing to change his life for himself and his daughter, the former railway worker explained that he chose the heartfelt song as it resonates with everyone.
‘I thought I’d do Issues because I haven’t done the best in life. I’ve had a good upbringing, good family, good morals, got manners,’ he said. ‘But Issues, everyone’s got problems haven’t they?’
But sadly it wasn’t meant to be for the Scouser – who auditioned for the ITV talent show 10 years ago – as he withdrew from this year’s series after he told production about his ‘drug use’.
A source told The Sun that the crew were worried about his behaviour when: ‘He admitted he was a drug user and a decision was quickly taken to remove him. It’s a shame, as he was hotly tipped to make the live shows.’
Tearing up: His emotional audition caused Sharon to tear up as he sang from the heart
Following the claims, a show insider revealed to the MailOnline that he made the decision to leave to focus on his personal issues.
The insider admitted: ‘Anthony has been going through some personal issues for some time – as he sang about at his audition. Those issues were still affecting him. So everyone has urged him to concentrate on getting himself better right now.’
Despite his shock exit, the insider added to MailOnline that the pint-sized singer – who stands at 5ft 4 – could be back next year once he gets back on his feet.
Personal issues: But sadly it wasn’t meant to be for the Scouser – who audition for the ITV talent show 10 years ago – as he withdrew from this year’s series after he told production about his ‘drug use’
Still hope: Despite his shock exit, the insider added to MailOnline that the pint-sized singer – who stands at 5ft 4 – could be back next year once he gets back on his feet
‘Anthony has always said he will never give up on music,’ the source added. ‘Production are all very fond of him and think he has really potential so have told him, if he straightens himself out, they would love him to have another shot at X Factor next year.
‘That is the perfect incentive for him to get his life back on track. The public support really did help him to believe in himself.
Continuing: ‘So everyone hopes he will come back next year healthier’.
Support: The source added: ‘That is the perfect incentive for him to get his life back on track. The public support really did help him to believe in himself. Continuing: ‘So everyone hopes he will come back next year healthier’
A spokeswoman for X Factor said of the reports: ‘Earlier this month, due to personal reasons, Anthony withdrew from the show. We are sad to see him go and wish his all the best for the future.’
The shock exit comes after Sharon was famously left in tears over his emotional performance.
After his performance, the music manager said: ‘I really loved it. You are such a cute little thing bobbing up and down all the time while singing.
Emotional: The shock exit comes after Sharon was famously left in tears over his emotional performance
‘You’re awkward as hell but I felt every word as you were singing. I really love you even with the black eye.’
While Nicole added: ‘You’ve not got the best voice but you’ve got voice, you with your shiner, you and your shiner are up their shining.
‘I’m not happy those guys did that to you but its made us like you even more.’
‘Shining’: While Nicole added: ‘You’ve not got the best voice but you’ve got voice, you with your shiner, you and your shiner are up their shining’