IT’S a show which sticks a monstrous pin into the “make-believe” bubble The X Factor has created for thousands of wannabe pop stars.

The ugly flip-side of the music business and the cut-throat wheeling and dealing that turn the cogs in this precarious industry is given full exposure by 80s icon, Hazel O’Connor.

But it is her candid, often moving and frequently funny, account of how she was chewed up and spat out to finally become a “survivor” - with some wonderful showbiz gossip and anecdotes along the way - which leaves a lasting impression.

It is 11 years since she first showcased this unique autobiographical show, Beyond Breaking Glass, at the Edinburgh Festival which tells her story through a mix of narration and song, accompanied by the brilliant Cormac de Barra on electric harp.

There are fascinating tales about hanging out with the likes of George Michael and David Bowie, and her big break, starring in and writing the music for, punk film Breaking Glass.

There are revelations of legal battles with her record company; how the stress led her to miscarry, helped break up her marriage and all at the same time as losing her best friend to cancer.

She didn’t perform her smash hit, Will You, for years thinking it was no good (“a soppy song about tea and coffee”).

Tonight she performs it with earthy, rasping vocals loading the song with even deeper heart-felt meaning.

There are other hit singles like Blackman and Decadent Days with more recent tunes taking her back to her Celtic roots.

Drawing on all her talents as an actress, singer and raconteur, this was a highly entertaining, fascinating evening proving Hazel O’Connor is likely to be around long after Simon Cowell’s protégés have had their 15 minutes.