Who is Ben Haenow? X Factor winner who used to be a van driver – what you need to know
Ben has been away from music since 2015 but he mounted a comeback with new single Alive
FORMER X Factor winner Ben Haenow has been out of the limelight after splitting with Simon Cowell's record label in 2015.
Here's everything you need to know about the van driver turned pop star and his latest, independent release.
Who is Ben Haenow? When did he win The X Factor?
32-year-old Ben Haenow had a tough childhood living with his mum in Croydon, south London.
After his dad left the family when he was 4 years old, his mum worked three jobs to provide for Ben and his brother Alex.
He suffered from depression as a teen, and when he was 14 would drink a bottle of vodka a day to cope with his personal troubles.
But he stopped drinking heavily when he was 18 and focused on music.
He worked as a van driver to make ends meet before entering The X Factor in 2014, thinking if he won he would be able to buy his mum a new house.
Ben sailed through bootcamp, judges' houses, and the live rounds. He went on to win The X Factor, releasing winner's single Something I Need and earning himself a lucrative record deal with Simon Cowell's record label Syco.
After the show had ended it emerged he had won every single public vote since the fourth week of live shows.
Does Ben Haenow have any famous songs?
Ben's X Factor winner's single was a cover of popular OneRepublic song Something I Need.
The song went straight to the UK no. 1 spot and was certified platinum after he stormed to victory on the popular talent show.
His first album, Ben Haenow, debuted at no. 10 in the UK albums chart, dropped to no. 29 in its second week.
The album's lead single, Second Hand Heart, which featured US pop star Kelly Clarkson, was less successful.
It only reached no. 21 in the UK charts and no. 56 in Ireland - though was more popular in Scotland, reaching no. 4.
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Is Haenow still releasing music?
Ben split with Simon Cowell's record label Syco in January 2016 after his album flopped.
But he wasn't prepared to fade into the background, and decided to go it alone and continue to make music without a record label to back him.
He's been posting weekly covers requested by his fans to his YouTube channel while working on new music.
Ben released new single Alive on July 6 2017, launching the new track at a club in Clapham, London.
He over the Summer he was promoting the single and talking about ending his relationship with his record label on chat shows like Lorraine.