X Factor hopeful faces challenge

X Factor audition star Melanie Masson said having to leave her two children at home if she goes further in the show will be her "own personal bootcamp challenge".

The mother of two wowed the judges on Saturday with her soulful rendition of Janis Joplin's Cry Baby while her children watched from backstage.

She has been singing since she was a teenager growing up in Glasgow and supported Wet Wet Wet when she was 21 before signing up to a record company and releasing a single that flopped.

Melanie, who now lives in London, said: "I kind of thought I'd given up on my dreams of being able to get that record deal at my age and I thought it's probably not going to happen and I was really concentrating on my family and I've still been writing and doing the odd gig here and there but the truth is that up until the weekend I've been a stay-at-home mum."

The singer said she was facing up to the fact she might have to spend her first night away from her children, daughter Rua, five, and son Ramsay, three, since they were born if she progresses in the competition.

She said: "That will be torturous because I've never been away from them before ever, I've never spent any time apart from them.

"They will be fine, but that will be a massive challenge in itself, that's my own personal bootcamp challenge being apart from them."

The 44-year-old, who is married to Scottish actor Forbes Masson, said: "I have enjoyed my time so much just doing this so no matter if it all ends at bootcamp I will not regret a single moment because it has been such a wonderful experience and an unexpected experience because I thought it was all over for me musically and it's really rekindled my dream".