X-FACTOR runner-up Jahmene Douglas is trying to regain some credibility and separate himself from the stigma attached with the prime time talent contest.

The 23-year-old, who lived in Swindon before he shot to fame in 2012, has not released any new music since 2013 and has spent the interim repairing his reputation and recording the music he wants.

Jahmene felt restricted by his post-X Factor contract, which has now ended, and feels the programme never allowed him to truly excel.

The former Asda employee, who sang the backing vocals for the supermarket’s Christmas advert this year, is now trying to recapture who he was before fame arrived.

“I have been quiet for a little while, trying to separate myself from X Factor,” he said.

“I am trying to regain who I am as a singer and trying to get some credibility. I am looking forward.

“It’s just a thing of X Factor. You always have a cover album and I had to compromise on a lot of things.

“I wrote the new album myself and I have tried being who I was before the X Factor.

“I have people always thinking I’m shy and quiet, but I’m just very reserved. I was in witness protection – I’m not going to be talkative with everyone.”

The former New College student accepts Simon Cowell’s world-famous programme was a fun platform to launch himself from.

But singing is Jahmene’s focus now, rather than fame and celebrity.

He also suggested the 2012 victor James Arthur has also struggled with the stigma of the show and the obligations it forces on contestants.

“I’m very grateful to the whole thing. But it’s a two-sided coin.

“There’s the stigma of X Factor and it’s hard to get away from something like that,” he said.

“I have been Jahmene from the X Factor, but I want to be Jahmene the singer.

“I have more control over what I want to make. I have inspired myself.

“It was an experience for me, a blessing because I managed to get to work with Stevie Wonder and Nicole (Scherzinger).

“Even with James Arthur, you can see the compromises don’t always work for us.

“People like to think you’re a pop singer, but no, I’m just trying to make the music I want to make.

“I have been to Los Angeles and New York, all over the place trying to get together Jahmene Douglas as a singer.

“I just want to show everyone how I can really sing.

“On X Factor I never gave 100 per cent because it wasn’t possible. It’s just reality TV.

“It’s more of a reality TV show than a singing show.

“But I can’t complain.”

n Tomorrow: How Jahmene ended up on the Asda advert and when he will next be in Swindon.