DESPITE last year's winner coming from south Essex, auditions for X Factor failed to pull in the crowds when they came to Southend.

The audition booth visited the Royals Shopping Centre on Friday, but a reported decline in the TV talent show's viewing figures appeared to be mirrored by a poor turnout of budding singers.

It comes after Louisa Johnson, 17, from Chafford Hundred, was crowned X Factor winner in December and Che Chesterman, 19, from Laindon, made the final.

Lizzie Murphy, 26, from Kent, was one of the few singers to face the camera.

She said: “Southend was the nearest audition to me so I made a spur of the moment decision to come up here.

“They said all the auditions from across the country will be shown to the producers and we’ll hear back by July, so it could be a long wait.

“I’ve not seen anyone else around auditioning but I though mine went well, I’ll just have to wait and see I guess.”

Echo:

Lizzie Murphy, 26, a lone auditionee

When auditions took place in Chelmsford last week, only three hopefuls were reported to have turned up.