One of the stand-out acts from Saturday night’s X Factor has already quit the competition, believing it’s a better choice for his music career to go it alone.
Joe Waller, who impressed Rita Ora with his performance of self-penned song Stay, decided to leave the talent show ahead of the Boot Camp stage.
In a social media post seen by the Mirror, Joe wrote: “So mid week I received a completely random email from the X Factor team.
“Although I made the choice to not continue in the programme because I felt it was the best thing for my career at the time, they have decided to air my audition.
“SO I PROMISE I DIDN'T LIE ABOUT ANYTHING... But they have chosen to air my audition even though I chose to leave.”
The 23-year-old singer-songwriter also confessed that he messed up his first song, but luckily was able to perform his second – which made it to the footage we saw on Saturday evening.
Since his – admittedly short – X Factor stint, Joe has been focusing on songwriting and gigging.
He’s already picked up more fans since his audition aired, and seems happy not to be in the ITV talent juggernaut anymore.
On Instagram recently, he wrote: “I may not be rich, famous or tour the world... But if I can wake up everyday with the feeling that I just want to create and play music, I know I'm going to be my own version of ‘successful’.”
N’aww.
X Factor London auditions outfits
X Factor London auditions outfits
1 of 8Rochelle Humes
Mrs Humes looked amazing in her crisp white Iris + Ink playsuit teamed with leg-lengthening heels and a chic pony
2 of 8Rochelle Humes
Looking like she's stepped straight out of a '90s girl band in her cool American Apparel dungarees
3 of 8Cheryl Fernandez-Versini
Chezza's loving her retro '60s vibes during the auditions so far, and her cute Miu Miu shift and matching pink heels look gorge on her
4 of 8Cheryl Fernandez-Versini
Cheryl's Adam Lippes tuxedo dress may cost over £1k, but that's nothing compared to a lifetime of dry cleaning bills. Just beware of Nando's, eh Chez?
5 of 8Rita Ora
B*Witched would be soooo jealous of these denim co-ords. Rita continues to show off her risky fash sense on the red carpet
6 of 8Rita Ora
Poor Rita must've accidentally got stuck in a door or been attacked by a pack of dogs on the way to the auditions. We can think of no other possible explanation for that missing sleeve
7 of 8Caroline Flack
Working Beatnik chic in a cute striped top and leather mini
8 of 8Caroline Flack
Caz doesn't half love a boyish short and shirt combo. She picked up these snakey platforms for just £52 from Toppers!