Andy Abraham suffers the Ex Factor (From The Argus)

Andy Abraham suffers the Ex Factor

4:50pm Sunday 16th November 2008 in News By Emily-Ann Elliott

Two years ago he was topping the charts after being named runnerup on The X Factor but this month Andy Abraham failed to fill even a quarter of Worthing Assembly Hall.

Fewer than 200 people turned up to see the former-binman perform tracks from his third album Even If.

The singer shot to fame in 2005 after finishing second on The X Factor, behind Shayne Ward.

His debut album, The Impossible Dream, entered the charts at number 2 in 2006, selling 176,000 copies in its first week.

But audience numbers in Worthing were low at the Assembly Hall, which can seat more than 900 people.

Those who did attend paid £20 or £22.50 for tickets.

But one audience member said: “The atmosphere was quite cold. “Unfortunately he might be finding himself back on the bins before too long.” However, Abraham’s agent Barry Collings said the turnout to the show was a reflection of the country’s current financial situation.

He said: “The show went down very well with the audience members that were there.

“The small attendance is entirely due to the current credit crunch and everyone is seeing attendances hit across the country for all types of shows.”

Mr Collings added that Abraham will appear on The Xtra Factor tonight.

Abraham won the hearts of the nation with his rags to riches story when he was mentored by Sharon Osbourne in the second series of the X Factor singing competition.

After the success of his debut album, his follow-up, Soul Man, also charted in the Top 20. Earlier this year, Abraham represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest but finished last of the 25 entries.

Two years ago, the original winner of ITV’s The X Factor, Steve Brookstein, performed in front of a similarly small crowd at Worthing Assembly Hall.

A spokeswoman for Worthing Theatres said: “Andy Abraham’s concert was very much enjoyed by his loyal fan base and he proved what a personable entertainer he is by happily signing autographs and meeting and greeting them before the concert.”