Sunday Mail stars show they have the X Factor

May 11 2008 By Heather Greenaway

THREE Sunday Mail stars have made it over the first hurdle in this year's X Factor.

Scottish Slimmer of the Year Lisa Milburn and Karaoke Champ finalists Christeen Macmurdie and John Cowie were all asked to come back after the show visited Hampden last week.

They now face a nail-biting two-week wait to see if they make it into the next round, in which they will perform for judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne. Lisa, 23, of Edinburgh, said: "I had to queue for hours but it was worth it as I got to hug Dermot O'Leary."

John, of Milngavie, near Glasgow, said: "I went along just for a bit of fun but they kept calling me back - not bad for a 73-year-old grandad."

And Christeen, 41, of Motherwell added: "I didn't make it last year but singing at the Karaoke Champ finals in the Carling Academy gave me more confidence."