X Factor four-piece Only The Young donned their ice skates and spread some festive cheer at the launch of Bluewater’s Winter Wonderland on Friday.
The pop quartet - Betsy-Blue English, Mikey Bromley, Parisa Tarhomani and Charlie George - spoke to News Shopper one week on from being booted off the ITV talent show.
The band, who won themselves a legion of fans with their energetic performances, became the tenth act to leave the competition in a ruthless double eviction last weekend.
Despite being voted off the X Factor live shows, the band seem undeterred and have already been in the studio working on their debut album.
Betsy-Blue, 18, said: “We don’t think it matters where you come in the competition, whether you win or you don’t win. It’s about how hard you work.
“Look at Ella Henderson, she came one place behind us and she has charted in the US and the UK. We’re just ready for the hard work now.”
The band also admitted that mentor Louis Walsh had once changed their song ten minutes before the show began.
Parisa, 20, said: “You’ve just got to forgive Louis because he is so sweet. It shows that he cares.”
Youngest band member 17-year-old Charlie added: “He wouldn’t have bothered changing it if he didn’t care. And anyway, we love a challenge.”
The band will also be remembered for their biggest fan - the infamous ‘Shouty Man’ who could be heard screaming “Only The Young” at the top of his lungs from the audience each week.
Mikey, 19, said: “We still have no idea who he is. We heard the mega-mix someone created for him. That was brilliant.”
The group said they were disappointed they were eliminated without a chance to prove themselves in a sing-off with Jason Mraz ballad, I Won’t Give Up.
Parisa added: “It was such an amazing experience and we got a taste for what life could be like. We feel we have really evolved and become a lot more confident.”
The band revealed they are now backing Simon Cowell’s act 26-year-old Fleur East to win the competition.
The Bluewater Winter Wonderland boasts a 6,000 square foot ice rink, 40-metre snow slide, 4D cinema and stacks of rides and games.
For more information visit: http://bluewaterwinterwonderland.co.uk/
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