Catterick X-Factor contestant still has fans coming to his door (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

X Factor contestant Dale Ali still has fans coming to his door

3:12pm Sunday 10th March 2013 in News By Joanna Morris

A NORTH-EAST teenager says he still has fans coming to his door, six months after appearing on the X Factor.

Dale Ali made it through to the bootcamp stage of the last series of the popular show after impressing judges by singing Olly Murs’ hit 'Thinking of Me'.

Judge Louis Walsh told the 18-year-old, from Catterick, North Yorkshire, that he had a “natural charm” and Tulisa was impressed when he changed the lyrics of the song to include her name.

Although he did not go on to win the series, his life changed considerably since appearing on the show last September.

He has performed regularly around the region since and was invited to appear at the annual Christmas lights switch-on in Darlington last year – where one young fan was so eager to see him, she fell and broke her ankle.

Dale, who aspires to be like Justin Bieber one day, said: “It’s all very strange. I even get girls showing up outside my house with cards and teddies. Some days I can’t get from one end of the Cornmill Centre to another without people stopping me and asking to have photos taken with me. I will always try and stop and talk to my fans, though.”

Dale, who lists his influences as Donny Osmond, Olly Murs and Michael Buble, is set to appear at The Forum in Darlington on Wednesday April 3. Tickets, which cost £7 are available from the venue or online at dalealimusic.weebly.com. Doors open at 6pm and the support act will be fellow X Factor 2012 contestant Joshua Grant.