ONE of Swindon’s most famous sons returned home yesterday to sign copies of his latest album at the Asda store whose shelves he once stacked.

Former X Factor runner-up Jahmene Douglas marked the release of Unfathomable Phantasmagoria by meeting fans at the Orbital Centre superstore this morning.

“It’s always strange coming back to Asda,” said Jahmene, 25. “But it’s great to be in Swindon.”

The album is Jahmene’s second release since the X Factor in 2012, but it is all the more special due to it being a collection of his own songs, rather than covers.

He said: “This album means more to me this time around because it’s all my own work. I’m really excited for people to hear the songs and hopefully they will like them.

“It’s great that I’ve had a lot more time to write my own songs, and it has been very inspiring. Making an album is quite demanding, but it has been a great experience.”

Fans flocked to the store to get a glimpse of their hero and buy a copy of his brand new release.

Speaking of the inspiration for the album’s quirky title, the former New College student said: “It has been in my head since the age of about 13. I used to write poetry and I would often have it written on books and pieces of paper.”

The album took three years to make and the singer is very pleased with the finished product.

“This is the first time I have really felt I have accomplished something,” he said.

“I came second on the X Factor and never really felt I had made it. This time I’m making something that means a lot to me rather than just doing covers.

“It has been a real struggle since X Factor and at times it has felt like everything has been against me. But now I have my album out I can’t complain.”

Jahmene has spoken previously about trying to escape from the shadow of the ITV show that launched him and how he wants to be known as ‘Jahmene the singer’ rather than ‘Jahmene from X Factor’.

As soon as he had finished signing autographs and meeting adoring fans he was whisked away to London to rehearse for a special show in Piccadilly on Wednesday.

“I’m really looking forward to the show next week as I haven’t performed in ages. I’d love to do a gig in Swindon – if they’ll have me.”

Looking to the future, the singer spoke of his desire to experiment with R&B, adding: “Well, I am a '90s boy.”