AN X Factor star looked unrecognisable as he was spotted performing in a village pub 20 years after the show final.
Steve Brookstein, 44, famously won the very first series of X Factor back in 2004, beating G4 to the top spot on the now defunct ITV show.
After winning the talent show, he was signed to Sony BMG record label, but left Simon Cowell’s label after a string of hits a year later.
But that didn’t stop Steve from pursuing his passion, and he’s carried on his singing career over the years.
Now, the X Factor winner has been spotted delivering a musical performance at a rustic pub named The Courtyard in Morpeth, Northumberland.
Steve was filmed belting out tunes to delighted revellers on Saturday night, and looked unrecognisable while sporting a beard, and performing in a black cap and reading glasses.
The singer donned a black t-shirt, dark jeans and wore a gold chain around his neck, and showed off his soulful voice to the guests as they drank and dined.
Steve looked in good spirits during the low-key gig, and laughed and joked with guests while performing in the converted farmhouse, and enjoyed a glass of wine post-show.
After the X Factor, Steve released his first album named Heart and Soul with Song BMG record label.
Then, in 2006, he released his second album 40,000 Things with Numunu Records.
Continuing to pursue his music career, the star released Forgotten Man with Pledge Music in 2014.
And over on social media, Steve, who writes that he’s a “singer songwriter” in his bio, regularly posts videos from his gigs to his thousands of followers.
Earlier this year, Steve was met with bad newsafter being forced to cancel gig after selling just 27 tickets – despite signing a £1m record deal.
Steve’s performance at the Merryfield Theatre in Verwood, Dorset was called off because not enough tickets had been sold.
The venue can hold up to 300 people, but only 27 purchased a ticket to attend.
A spokesperson for the venue confirmed that he cancelled on February 8, just 10 days before he was supposed to take to the stage.
Steve then performed at Esher Theatre in Surrey just six days after cancelling his gig in Dorset – which can hold 300 standing.
And his recent gig shows the star can still attract a crowd, as people settled down for the musical treat at the setting.
