X-Factor Star Loses Fight with Cancer

05/01/2012

Scottish X Factor star Kerry McGregor has sadly passed away following a battle with bladder cancer.

Kerry, 37, found fame when her talent for singing saw her become the first wheelchair user to reach the live shows of the X Factor in 2006.  She went on to perform on stage, radio and in television productions including The Book Group and children’s drama, Grange Hill.

The talented singer was left disabled at the age of 13 following an accident which left her partially paralysed from the waist down.  Determined not to let her disability hold her back, Kerry went on to study music and drama in Edinburgh. 

She was selected to record a song for the UK’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997, coming second to Katrina and the Waves who went on to win the competition.  In 2006 she secured her biggest break by making the finals of The X-Factor, which was eventually won by Leona Lewis. 

Inspiration

The singer was an inspiration to many including Susan Boyle, who said it was Kerry’s appearance on the ITV talent show that gave her the confidence to appear on Britain’s Got Talent.  The two went on to form a close friendship and had planned to release a duet together.

On her disability, Kerry once said: ‘Life changed completely for me from an early age.  In some people’s eyes it could be a hindrance but in my eyes it’s not.  If anything, it gives me all the more reason to kick my heels in and go on.  I am determined and I will achieve.’

Last month she became an ambassador for the charity Action for Bladder Cancer (ABC).  Colin Bruce, Chair of ABC, said: “We are deeply saddened by the news about Kerry.  She was a truly inspirational person.  She was committed to helping raise awareness about bladder cancer and our thoughts are very much with her family at this time.”

Former X-Factor judges Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne paid tribute to Kerry on Twitter.