Andrew Abraham
(born 17 July 1964, London) is an English vocalist. He was runner-up in the second UK series of TV talent show The X Factor
in 2005, and also represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
Before applying for The X Factor
, Abraham was a refuse collector. Prior to this he worked as a bus driver for Arriva London North based at Palmers Green bus garage. Abraham has two children by his wife Denise, a daughter called Tara and a son called Jacob. He is of Grenadian descent.
Abraham was beaten to the top spot on The X Factor
by Shayne Ward by 1.2% of the national public vote. Abraham was mentored throughout the competition by Sharon Osbourne although fellow judges Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh also praised the singer throughout the competition. Other performers who came to prominence in the same series of The X Factor
were finalists Journey South and quarter-finalist Chico Slimani.
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ANDY ABRAHAM TICKETS
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After The X Factor
On 26 March 2006, Abraham's debut album entered the UK album chart at number two, selling 176,000 copies in its first week and being beaten to the top spot by
Journey South.
In 2006, Abraham's debut album was the twelfth highest selling album of the year with total sales of around 300,000.2007
Abraham's second album,
Soul Man
, was not as popular yet it still managed to make the Top 20 in the UK Charts. The album included the Christmas song "December Brings Me Back To You", a duet with television presenter
Michael Underwood.
A
Very Best Of
album was released in May 2008.
His third studio album,
Even If
, was released in June 2008 to positive reviews, and its title track reached number 67 in the UK Charts. Album sales were not helped by its distribution company
Pinnacle Entertainment (UK) going into administration due to the downturn in the economy. The album was released digitally on
iTunes in March 2009.
On 3 August 2008, it was reported in
The Daily Star Sunday
newspaper that Abraham had told friends that he would not release any further material, and instead he would concentrate on becoming a
property developer. However on 6 August 2008, Abraham announced on his website that this was not true and said he is very much staying in the music industry.
It is rumoured that Abraham will participate in a celebrity boxing match for charity against
Mark Rhodes who was also a talent show runner-up – in
Pop Idol
, the predecessor to
The X Factor
.
The Daily Mail
broke the story on 19 September 2008 but it is yet to be confirmed by either party.
Eurovision 2008
On 1 March 2008, Abraham won
Eurovision – Your Decision 2008
, the UK selection for the
Eurovision Song Contest 2008, held on 24 May 2008, with his song "Even If". He was selected as a wild card in
Eurovision – Your Decision
by
Terry Wogan and won the contest in a sing-off with favourite
Michelle Gayle through a public vote.
In the final, Abraham finished last of the 25 entries, sharing 14 points (obtained from San Marino and Ireland) alongside
Germany and
Poland. Under EBU rules introduced in 2003, there are no shared placings in Eurovision and the placing of countries with shared scores is determined by which got the higher mark. Andy Abraham's highest mark was 8, whereas Poland scored a 10, placing them 24th and Germany scored a 12, placing them 23rd.
[1] In addition to becoming only the second UK act ever to come last in Eurovision, Abraham also became the first since 1989 not to hit the top 40 singles chart, peaking at number 67. Of all the UK entries that have made the singles chart (only three did not), it is the second least successful ever.
Discography
Albums
| Year
| Album details
| Chart peak positions
| Certifications
| Sales
|
| UK
| IRE
| World
|
| 2006
| The Impossible Dream
[2]
- Released: March 20, 2006
- Label: Sony BMG
- Format: CD, digital download
| 2
| 1
| 7
|
|
|
| 2006
| Soul Man
- Released: November 13, 2006
- Label: Sony BMG
- Format: CD, digital download
| 19
| 22
| -
|
|
|
| 2008
| Very Best Of
- Released: May 19, 2008
- Label: Sony BMG
- Format: CD, digital download
| -
| -
| -
|
|
|
| 2008
| Even If
- Released: June 2, 2008
- Label: B line Records
- Format: CD, digital download
| -
| -
| -
|
|
|
Singles
| Year
| Song
| Chart positions
| Album
|
| UK
| IRE
|
| 2006
| "Hang Up"
| 65
| 14
| The Impossible Dream
|
| "December Brings Me Back to You"
| 18
| -
| Soul Man
|
| 2008
| "Even If"
| 67
| -
| Even If
|
References
- Russia scoops Eurovision victory
- http://acharts.us/album/17075