X Factor’s Ben Haenow opens up about being dropped by Simon Cowell

Ben Haenow has opened up about being dropped from Simon Cowell’s record label.

Ben won The X Factor in 2014 but was dropped in 2016 after the release of one album.

Opening up about the ups and downs of life after the show, Ben confessed he had found it hard.

“It’s a crazy, crazy thing to be involved in, to go from being unknown to being on TV. It’s an incredible thing,” Ben recalled. “You are kind of in a bubble for that year. Once that bubble bursts, it’s a hard thing.”

Speaking to the Croydon Advertiser, Ben added: “I’m not going to say I slipped into depression [but] it was really hard to deal with.”

Although he admitted to having “lost my way a bit” after the record label drop, Ben soon picked himself up.

“I started writing with my [older] brother Alex again. We were in a band for seven or eight years before the show. It was like getting back to my roots,” said Ben.

His new album Alive, which is set for release on the 25th May, is now available to pre-order worldwide.

The record features songs written entirely by Ben and his brother Alex alongside two covers.

Together with the original tracks are Ben’s unique renditions of ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ by Bill Withers and ‘Always On My Mind’ by Elvis Presley.

The Croydon-born singer has described the record as ‘more honest’ and ‘more autobiographical’ than his debut album.

Ben said: “I’m sooo buzzing for people to finally hear the new album and songs!

“This album definitely feels more honest in style and lyrical content compared to the first album.”

You can pre-order Alive here.