X-Factor success Daniel Pearce has spoken of the seven years of struggle he went through after his last glimpse of chart success imploded.

The last time former Kent man Daniel was on a reality TV show, he saw his Popstars: The Rivals opposition Girls Aloud rocket to stardom, while his own One True Voice stalled on a the launch pad.

He's still not used to facing one of those rivals, Cheryl Cole, who was then simply Cheryl Tweedy, from the X-Factor stage.

Daniel grew up in Brabourne Lees, near Ashford, and was a talented drummer before he found his singing skills taking over.

It was a long seven years ago that One True Voice had a brief and uninspiring chart moment but Dan has so far survived the audition stages of the X Factor and could be on his way to the live finals of the competition.

The 31-year-old has spent the intervening years trying to promote his solo career.

He said: “The last seven years have been a real struggle, really hard work.

"The reason I put myself through for X-Factor was because I had exhausted all other options. And so far so good, it’s proving to be quite a journey.”

Daniel added: “It was quite odd meeting Cheryl again but it was great to be on stage and singing in front of her again. She knows what it’s like so she can sympathise.”

And Cheryl certainly returned the compliment. She gave Daniel a standing ovation after his first audition and said: “I always thought you were fantastic.”

Notoriously straight-talking Simon Cowell has been made Daniel’s mentor on the show. But Daniel had nothing but praise for the record company boss.

He said: “I’ve always found Simon not to be nasty at all. Most of the time he is just very honest and very seldom is he not right in what he says. He’s just a very decent man.”

Fame and fortune are not everything to Daniel who since his previous brush with fame has married and started a family.

“My wife Charlotte is a massive part of my life and we’re in this together.”

Viewers will find out whether Daniel has made it to the final 12 contestants on Sunday, but until then he is keeping tight-lipped.