Ray Quinn (Doing It My Way)

Recording information: Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA (01/2007-02/2007); SMP Studios, London, England (01/2007-02/2007); Sphere Studios, London, England (01/2007-02/2007); Westlake Audio, Hollywood, CA (01/2007-02/2007).
Photographer: Simon Fowler .
The viewing public of The X Factor loved the show's swing and big band week, and when it came to Ray Quinn's turn to record an album, he chose to concentrate on these genres, especially as his version of "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" was one of the series' most popular big band songs. He had been the runner-up to Leona Lewis in the 2006 series, and with Lewis taking time out in America before embarking on a recording career, the way was left open for him to be the next best contestant in the shops with an album, although he did release Doing It My Way on the same day as fellow contestant Ben Mills. But in the end there was no contest, as Quinn easily sailed to number one. Of the 11 tracks, he had actually performed seven on the show as he made his way through the elimination stages. ~ Sharon Mawer