Watch gobby Anthony Russell's first ever X Factor audition from 2007

Anthony, or "Tight-o" as he was known, said he was going to smash the audition's head in when he was just 17

Anthony Russell in 2017 and 2007

Published: Saturday, 2 September 2017 at 8:30 pm

When we found out that The X Factor 2017 singer Anthony Russell originally auditioned for the show way back in 2007, we just had to find his first performance. And find it we did.

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The Liverpudlian singer, who sings Issues by Julia Michaels in Saturday's opening episode, originally auditioned for Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue a whopping ten years ago.

Then a 17-year-old gobby teenager, Simon, Sharon and Louis clearly don't remember him when he returns, but we've no idea how they could forget this.

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Saying he's going to "smash [the auditions'] head in" has to be a highlight, as does: "They call me Tight-o, because back in junior school I was tight with my sweets. That's why they call me Tight-o, man."

So hard. Almost as hard as then-Xtra Factor presenter Fearne Cotton's voice over. "Innit".

Anyway, after singing Somewhere Beyond the Sea the first time around Simon Cowell said: “I didn’t like it. I think you need singing lessons” while Sharon said he had "great likability".

Anthony Russell The X Factor 2017

X Factor contestant Anthony Russell in 2017 – recognise him?

He got three yeses then, but will Anthony do even better this time around?

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The X Factor starts on Saturday 2nd September at 8pm on ITV

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Frances Taylor wears a black open-necked shirt, is smiling and looking at the camera

Frances Taylor

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