Runner-up Marcus denied X Factor title

Marcus made the X Factor final two alongside girl band Little Mix but he came second Pictures © ITV

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Marcus Collins did the city proud but fell just short of becoming the first Liverpool singer to claim the X Factor title, as he finished runner-up behind 2011 winners, Little Mix.

He beat 200,000 hopefuls to make it to the final two, but he could only match the second-place finishes of fellow Liverpudlians Rebecca Ferguson last year, and Ray Quinn in 2006.

The Liverpool lad was a gracious as ever when presenter Dermot O’Leary told him that his time on the show had come to an end, with Little Mix becoming the first group to ever win the X Factor.

After the result was announced, Marcus said:
“I’m really proud of myself. These girls really
deserved it, they’re amazing. I think my
performances went well and I really enjoyed them.”

The 23-year-old hairdresser from Waterloo had
been widely tipped as the favourite to win the
singing competition from the early stages of the
live finals.

Marcus managed to stun the judges and the
general public right from his very first audition
at the Liverpool Echo Arena when he sang
Stevie Wonder’s ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’.

Even though he was pipped to the post at the
very final stage, the Scouser still managed to
wow with his final seven performances, including
renditions of Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ and
Jackie Wilson’s ‘Higher and Higher’.

Marcus also delivered a stunning and heartfelt
tribute to his mother, with a version of the Billy
Joel classic ‘She’s Always a Woman’, which he
performed with judge and his mentor, Gary Barlow.

The Scouser received nothing but praise during
his entire time on the singing competition,
especially in the two final shows, where he
managed to beat Amelia Lily to make it through to
the final two with Little Mix.

A very emotional and proud Barlow told him:
“Marcus has been an amazing contestant, I absolutely
enjoyed every minute I spent with him. Be proud of
yourself mate, I am going to be your mentor for life.”

Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland added: “You’re a true winner Marcus. You look the part, you’re a true star.”

It wasn’t just the judges that were showering Marcus with praise, though, as Robbie Williams recorded a special video for the singer, telling him: “I love you to bits, you’re an amazing guy, amazing person and you’re going to be an awesome artist.” Former X Factor winner Leona Lewis was backing Marcus to win too, saying: “I’m rooting for Marcus all the way.”

Liverpool's Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank Prendergast, was in among the Marcus fans at Wembley Arena, urging the nation to vote for our big hope, but sadly it was all in vain.

Although Marcus did not win, it looks like his future will certainly be bright. Speaking on the Xtra Factor, Take That singer Barlow said: “He’s going to stay in touch with me, I’m going to make sure he’s looked after. I’m going to make sure he gets the right label, the right deal, the right songwriters, the right album... I want to make sure this lad’s really taken care of.”