IT’S been a while since Aiden Grimshaw was in the public eye. The last time most people saw Aiden Grimshaw was almost two years ago during the X Factor live shows.

His final performance was Elton John’s Rocket Man, sporting an outfit and giant quiff every bit as engineered as the platform (made of two grand pianos) he was standing on. Since then Grimshaw has lopped off the trademark quiff and kept a low-profile.

“I don’t get recognised anymore. I did, after I’d been on X Factor and we’d all been on the tour. I was 18 when I was on the show, and part of me loved getting spotted, to the point where I’d be disappointed if people didn’t notice me and I’d find myself putting my best clothes on at 10 in the morning to go and get a bacon butty.

“That was just stupid, and a pain, so I stopped with all that, and the quiff was cut off. Now no one bats an eyelid,” Aiden told 24Seven.

The singer is hoping to distance himself from the TV talent show and brings his debut UK headline tour to the Old Fire Station on Sunday.

Last month he also made his chart debut with the single Is This Love and his first album Misty Eye.

Supporting Aiden will be Seye Adelekan who is part of a new wave of African-influenced pop stars that last week took part in the African Express tour alongside Sir Paul McCartney and many other big names.