Exclusive
COMEBACK QUEEN
X Factor’s Janet Devlin shares update after life-changing health diagnosis as she reveals plans for BBC documentary
Her first series explored the impact of her alcohol addiction
X FACTOR legend Janet Devlin has defended the show that made her famous - as she revealed her life-changing health diagnosis has boosted her music.
The singer has also revealed she's in talks for another gripping BBC documentary on her life since finding fame on Simon Cowell's talent show.
5
5
Earlier this year Janet astonished fans by unveiling a drastic change in her looks in her newest music video.
The singer, who was just 16 when she entered The X Factor in 2011, is almost unrecognisable in the racy footage for her country track Emotional Rodeo.
As she releases the Irish singer and songwriter opened up on recently being diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and explained: "I got diagnosed with ADHD and I got medicated and was writing the best songs of my life, and I ended up writing 80 or 90 songs for this album.
"My whole team were like, yes, these songs are 20 times better than the ones you started with.
READ MORE ON JANET DEVLIN
“Before it was hard to start and finish anything but also I didn’t have the ability to focus."
Janet, 29, continued: "The older I got the harder I found it to stay on top of my work.
"Just little things that my mum and parents wrote off, I swear multiple times a week my parents would have to collect my backpack from somewhere I had been because I hadn’t brought it with me.
"Loads of things were adding up. My therapist said it was clear as day, because I was constantly chasing my tale."
Most read in Showbiz
X Factor legend unrecognisable as she rides on a bull in racy new music video
The television star explored her battle with mental health in BBC documentary, Young, Female and Addicted in 2022.
In the series Janet spoke on addiction and how it effected those closest around her.
"I'm hoping to do another documentary with the BBC. The last one I did a few years ago did surprisingly well," Janet claimed.
The star added: "So hopefully I’ll get things confirmed with the next one. The BBC are game. Which is exciting because it's obviously a topic close to my heart."
Janet has released a new country music album titled Emotional Rodeo.
What is ADHD?
According to the NHS, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (widely known as ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour.
People with the condition show symptoms in different ways which include restlessness, trouble concentration and impulsive traits.
They may be noticed from a young age and a change in circumstances such as the start of school may make them more noticeable.
In most cases, ADHD is diagnosed when children are under 12-years-old, but sometimes it can be diagnosed later on in childhood.
It also may not be recognised when someone was a child and it is possible for people to be diagnosed later as an adult.
Although symptoms may improve or become more manageable, many who are diagnosed from a young age continue to experience problems.
The record entered the Official Big Top 40 chart this year and her new single, 'Country Singer' has surpassed Dolly Parton’s 9-5 in the country charts.
The star flaunts her sexy side in the video for her single Emotional Rodeo where she dons skin tight, knee high red latex boots and rides a mechanical bull.
Long gone are her trademark red tresses - the Irish songstress now rocks long blonde waves and tattooes has definitely sexed up her image since her first TV audition.
She rose to prominence when she auditioned in front of Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Louis Walsh and Tulisa on the eighth series of The X Factor.
Following her time on the show the star was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (known as BPD).
But she does not blame either fame or the hit ITV talent competition for her mental health problems.
Janet admitted: "It wasn’t X Factor it was that I had a condition that meant you are constantly self seeking in loads of different ways.
"Everyone was really lovely to me. I asked for help and they put me in Harley Street the next day.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"The one reason they took me on was they said you are very grown up for your age.
"That was true because I had been through trauma, but I also understood it was a TV show and on a TV show you are nothing but a contestant on a TV show, it is a reality show at the end of the day and I had that clear awareness of what it was where as I think some people see it as more than that and they end up getting eally hurt."
Who won the X Factor?
The X Factor aired on ITV for 15 series. We take a look back at some of the stars the show made.
- Series One (2004) - Steve Brookstein
- Series Two (2005) - Shayne Ward
- Series Three (2006) - Leona Lewis
- Series Four (2007) - Leon Jackson
- Series Five (2008) - Alexandra Burke
- Series Six (2009) - Joe McElderry
- Series Seven (2010) - Matt Cardle
- Series Eight (2011) - Little Mix
- Series Nine (2012) - James Arthur
- Series 10 (2013) - Sam Bailey
- Series 11 (2014) - Ben Haenow
- Series 12 (2015) - Louisa Johnson
- Series 13 (2016) - Matt Terry
- Series 14 (2017) - Rak-Su
- Series 15 (2018) - Dalton Harris
5
5
5
Topics