Donovan's busker Murdo Mitchell out to impress Simon Cowell in this year's X Factor

Posted by Jenniffer Sheldon on Thursday, June 13, 2024

A BUSKER who sang with 1960s folk superstar Donovan on the streets of Glasgow has joined the hunt to win The X Factor.

Sixteen-year-old Murdo Mitchell was singing the Mellow Yellow star’s song Colours last summer when the man himself walked up to him.

Murdo, from Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, then sang two songs with his idol at Buchanan Galleries in Maryhill-born Donovan’s home city.

And the young singer-songwriter could see his life turned upside down if he progresses through to The X Factor live finals.

He’ll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s X Factor runner-up, Motherwell’s Nicholas McDonald, who Murdo supported at a gig in Glasgow in April.

Tonight, Murdo will be seen trying to impress judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Louis Walsh and Cheryl ­Fernandez-Versini, formerly Cole.

He won’t be the youngest in the competition after Simon lowered the age limit so 14-year-olds can audition for the first time since 2008.

The decision has split the judges, with Cheryl saying of one contestant: “I don’t think a 14-year-old needs that pressure on his shoulders.”

Host Dermot O’Leary said: “On paper, I would say 14 is too young.

“I had reservations. I’ve been silenced on it internally.”

An X Factor spokesman said: “The welfare of all contestants is our No1 priority and we have stringent ­procedures in place relating to young contestants who take part.”

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