X Factor star Amy Connolly has told how recovering from the tragic early death of her mum gave her the strength to enter the show.Millions watched last night as Amy reduced judge Cheryl Cole to tears after revealing her family sadness - and then broke down herself.
Now Amy says she is desperate to win X Factor in memory of mum Rosemarie, who died of breast cancer aged 45 when she was just seven. She would also dedicate victory to her dad David, 61, a retired musician.
She said: "I think I'm a strong person to have gone through that so young. But the experience of losing her has given me the oomph to go out and do it. I want to win it for my mum. And I want to make my dad proud after bringing me up on his own. He encouraged me to sing and told me my mum had a good voice. So maybe I get that from her."
Talking of the emotional scenes at her audition as she sang the Faith Hill song There You'll Be, Amy said: "Cheryl started crying which set me off. So by the end of the song we were both in tears. Then she held out her hand and I went over and she gave me a hug."
