Otherwise, for example, there’s a good chance Shayne Ward might still be flogging shoes in a Manchester fashion store.

As it is he is one of the noughties best-known faces and voices and - alongside the record-breaking, America-conquering Leona Lewis - one of the best adverts for Simon Cowell’s star-seeking vehicle and prime-time TV success story.

True, some of the ‘stars’ have fallen by the wayside. Michelle McManus sank, possibly literally, without trace and Rick Waller was last scene crooning while being electrocuted on a kids science show. As for this year’s winner, likable but limited Scottish teen Leon Jackson, one can only hope his mojo is being nurtured for a later date as was Leona’s.

But Shayne has released two albums, won over half the rest of the world in between, and is on a second arena tour that takes him back to Sheffield Arena next Friday.

Shayne made a guest appearance in the latter stages of this year’s X Factor, but discussing the whole experience on the phone he reckons it seems like a world away from where he is now.

“It feels weird that two years ago I was doing that and now I am talking about my second arena tour,” says the 23-year-old with the voice to match the looks.

“It was probably the best night of my life; the whole experience. And to come through it crowned the winner ... I didn’t think I had a cat in hells chance of winning.”

Shayne has since rewarded the majority public vote with a batch of hits - his self-titled debut album sold over two million copies and produced 13 number ones world-wide alone - and sustainability during very volatile times in music to release his album Breathless, a mix of pop and slick RnB that had some marking him out as a British Timberlake.

While that’s not necessarily a bad thing - having upped the tempo the singer lessened his reputation as a man of ballads - Shayne is keen to maintain his identity.

“I needed to prove to people I had a reason to stay up there,” he says ahead of next week’s show. “I want to go all out - it’s about stepping up a gear. I’m unleashing the beast.”

n Some tickets, priced £26.50, are still available online at www.sheffieldarena.co.uk, direct from the box office or via credit card hotline 0114 256 5656.