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Simon Cowell stunned as former X Factor hopeful returns looking unrecognisable

The contestant has made major changes to her appearance

X Factor judge Simon Cowell looks shocked when a former contestant turns up to audition tonight– 11 years after she first appeared on the show.

Mum of three Tracy Leanne Jefford made the bootcamp stages of the show in 2006, but this time she’s looking remarkably different.

In this evening’s episode, the 34-year-old is seen telling judges how she’d gone through a divorce and lost a lot of weight.

“I made Simon’s bootcamp,” she told the judges. “I was a different person then. I’ve lost five and a half stone in weight. I never had no confidence.”

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Sharon told her: “You’re gorgeous!”

Tracy replied: “I’ve just gone through a divorce. I was married for 17 years and to tell you the truth, I never felt beautiful in myself, I felt ugly.

“I am from the travelling community where people get married a lot younger. We had three beautiful babies so I spent a lot of time bringing up my children, looking after my family.”

Tracy, from Middlesex, added that she didn’t think she was ready for the show in 2006. At the time, Simon told her: “You look like a good car whose steering has gone out of control.”

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She feels happier now. “If this goes well, it’ll change mine and my children’s lives for the better, it really will,” she said.

Tracy sings Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? and viewers will see whether she’s given another chance.

Another former contestant also returns to the show. Nicole Simpson was 16 when she made bootcamp in 2011. Now 22, the musician from Glasgow is hoping to impress.

Viewers will also see Benji Matthews, 17, from Cornwall giggling nervously before he wows with If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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