X Factor reject Danyl Johnson: I struggled to live up to hype

Danyl Johnson has been voted off the X Factor (REX FEATURES)

X Factor reject Danyl Johnson has told how he struggled to live up to expectations after Simon Cowell hailed his first audition as the best he had ever seen.

The 27-year-old drama teacher from Reading — who was voted off the show on Sunday — was tipped to win before it had even aired on ITV after the high praise and standing ovation from the audience he received for his rendition of The Beatles With A Little Help From My Friends in his audition. He compared the hype surrounding him to that of Britain's Got Talent superstar and current chart-topper Susan Boyle.

Johnson said: “It was only a disadvantage towards me — I had to beat that performance. It was a bit like when Susan (Boyle) did her audition — the first time it's easier to wow. The second time is it easier to wow? I don't think it is, so you're always going to be up against that performance — it's just so over-hyped.”

Johnson admitted he was “really gutted” to have got as far as the semi-final and not win the show, but insisted he was looking on the positive side.

He said: “I'm obviously really gutted because we get this far in the competition and you're one space away from being in the final and then you've got to go home.

“But it's nothing to be ashamed of being fourth and I've really had a really good time. I've had a bad time as well, but I've had more good times. And Diana Vickers came fourth last year and she's doing really good right now so you've got to be happy with that.”

* Source: The Belfast Telegraph