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X FACTOR TO BREX FACTOR

Six failed X Factor wannabes will battle it out to represent Britain in the first post-Brexit Eurovision Song Contest

ALL six contenders to be the UK’s Eurovision Song Contest entry are rejects from the X Factor.

The shortlist of singers hoping to represent the UK have all flopped on the ITV talent show and are now making last ditch attempts to launch their music careers - in the first post-Brexit contest.

 Danyl Johnson stunned judges with his audition in 2009 but never fulfilled his potential
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Danyl Johnson stunned judges with his audition in 2009 but never fulfilled his potentialCredit: Rex Features

Hopefuls include Danyl Johnson and Lucie Jones, who both reached the lives shows in 2009, and Nate Simpson and Olivia Garcia, who crashed out of last year’s series at the Judges’ Houses stage.

Relative unknowns Salena Mastroianni and Holly Brewer, who have both auditioned for the show, will also battle it out at Eurovision: You Decide on Friday night.

The winner will go on to compete at the Eurovision Song Contest on May 13 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

 Olivia Garcia was pipped to the live shows last year
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Olivia Garcia was pipped to the live shows last yearCredit: Syco / Thames / Dymond

Danyl, 35, reached fourth place in the X Factor in the same year as Olly Murs, Jedward and Joe McElderry, but was heavily criticised by judges Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh.

He will sing original song Light Up The World at the competition, while Lucie, 25, will compete with Never Give Up, co-written by 2013’s winning Eurovision act Emmelie de Forest, 23.

Nate will sing What Are We Made Of while Olivia, 16, will be hoping for glory with Freedom Hearts.

 Holly Brewer's audition was not aired despite getting four 'yes' votes from judges
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Holly Brewer's audition was not aired despite getting four 'yes' votes from judges

Aspiring star Salena, who auditioned in 2012 will sing I Don’t Wanna Fight.

The final hopeful is Holly, 21, who tried out for the competition in 2015 and got four yes votes from the judges.

But she was furious when she later received a call from producers who rejected her before she could compete at Boot Camp.

 Salena Mastroianni impressed judges in 2012
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Salena Mastroianni impressed judges in 2012Credit: ITV

It won’t be her first time performing in front of a big audience though, as she sang at Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright’s wedding and supported Jess Glynne at a concert last month.

They will all compete on a 90-minute show, broadcast on BBC2, which will see all six acts compete with the general public voting on who they want to represent the UK.

 Lucie Jones got through to the live shows in 2009
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Lucie Jones got through to the live shows in 2009Credit: Rex Features

Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli, pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor and vocal coach CeCe Sammy will judge the singers at the event at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, which will be hosted by Mel Giedroyc.

The UK has won at Eurovision five times, but hasn’t come first for 20 years – since Katrina and the Waves triumphed with Love, Shine A Light.

Jemini in 2003, Andy Abraham in 2008 and Josh Dubovie in 2010 all finished last at the competition.

Last year the UK failed to reach the top ten for the seventh year in a row after The Voice rejects Joe and Jake came in 24.

And with Britain voting to leave the EU, this year's entrant may have a hill to climb.

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