Builder hopes he has the X Factor for TV (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Builder hopes he has the X Factor for TV

Colm McCarthy who will be auditioning in Cardiff for the X Factor as Puff Paddy. Ref: 77865-20AN IRISH builder from Swindon is hoping that opportunity will knock when he auditions for Thames Television's X Factor next month.

Billing himself as Puff Paddy, Colm McCarthy, 36, hopes to launch himself on the music world as the next great singer songwriter.

Colm is originally from Ireland, but came to Swindon from London 15 years ago.

He said: "I do all my own music and I've made my own CD.

"I'll be singing in front of the judges. I'll be singing all my own stuff."

Although his act is named after Puff Daddy, Colm of Akers Way is not planning to include any rap songs in his repertoire.

He says his influences are John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Damian Rice.

He has been taking part in karaoke competitions in bars such as the Casbah.

He said: "I really want to make it.

"I want to be famous. I think I've got as good a chance as anyone else as I'm a good singer and I've got good words to my songs."

The auditions take place at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Monday July 4.

If Colm qualifies he will be seen on the show when it returns to our screens in August.