X Factor winner Ben Haenow is heading home for a gig at a venue where childhood memories were made.

The former van driver from Shirley grew up with visits to Fairfield Halls and now he is proud to be on stage there himself on April 19.

He told us: “I’m absolutely buzzing for it.

“Obviously I’m looking forward to the tour in general but to get to do a gig in my hometown and a venue that I have been to on-and-off for years seeing pantomimes and famous bands is a huge thing.”

He added: “I saw Sooty and Sweep there once live years back. I saw Joe Satriani and untold pantomimes – we used to go every year so it definitely holds a big place in my heart.”

Ben, who won ITV’s The X Factor in 2014, will be one of the final performers at Fairfield before it closes in July for a two-year, £12million redevelopment.

He said: “It’s going to come back bigger and better, obviously. But it is just a shame to lose it for two years.

“It is a huge place that brings people together so it will be gutting to lose it for a couple of years but to get it revamped and bring it back to its former glory is the best way to do it.”

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Anyone who watched Ben on the X Factor will have an idea of what to expect from his live show.

Even on a programme that manufactures pop stars, his passion for rock and performance skills, honed through playing years of smaller gigs with his band, shined through.

He said: “This last year has been different. It’s what we used to do but on a bigger scale.

“I have a background and a love for rock music. I’m getting a band together and we want to make it a bit like an old school rock show, so a lot of energy and a lot of noise is what you can expect.”

Though Ben’s debut single – a cover of OneRepublic’s Something I Need – shot straight in at number one off the back of his X Factor success, he found himself parting ways with Simon Cowell’s record label a little over a year later after his self-titled album charted at number 10 and Kelly Clarkson duet Second Hand Heart only reached 21.

He said: “The thing is, there was never really a plan and it kind of does what it does.

“We were kind of happy to come to the arrangement to part ways and I think that with the experience of that year and everyone I have met and stuff, it has really stood me in good stead to go out and carry on in this career and make my next album.”

While some former winners have shown bitterness towards the show, Ben – who is writing new material with his brother - is genuinely grateful for the opportunities it has given him.

He said: “It gave me an amazing platform and I can’t thank the guys enough for everything that happened.

“It feels great now to have that platform and to have got the support from everybody, and the support just keeps coming so I can’t thank everyone enough.”

“It was the most amazing experience of my life – getting to share the stage with people like Ed Sheeran and Queen.

“It just doesn’t happen to normal people.

“Thinking back to what happened, it is going to be things I remember forever.

“Getting to share the stage with your heroes is something I never, ever thought I would be able to do so I thank the X Factor for that.”

Ben Haenow plays Fairfield Halls on April 19. Tickets cost £23.50 or £65 for a meet and greet. Go to Fairfield.co.uk

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