'X Factor' Marcus Collins teases debut album, works with Gary Barlow

X Factor runner-up Marcus Collins has teased details of his upcoming debut album, saying he has "found [his] niche" on the record.

The Liverpudlian singer confirmed reports that he had begun working with mentor Gary Barlow on the much-anticipated LP.



"I'm really excited, I'm working really hard," he said on Lorraine this morning (January 12). "The music is really coming together. I've found my niche now, I've found exactly what it is that I want to do and it's looking good.

"I'm really excited about doing it all and I feel I've got a little bit more time and little bit more freedom to really concentrate and focus on what it is that I want to bring out."

Collins said he was proud of having overcome childhood bullies and a troubled life to achieve his dreams.



"It was really difficult. There's been times when I've been quite low, but I've kept a positive attitude. I kept good people. There are times when you think, 'You know what, I'm not sure if i can do it', and I've faltered a few times.

"But this has just proved to me that dreams can come true. Anyone who's ever wanted to do something or thought, 'Do you know I'm not sure if I can, if I'm up to it', this is proof. I'm just a regular guy and I've come second out of thousands of people."

Collins, who confirmed that he had written "six or seven" songs for the album, agreed that he expected to have a lifelong relationship with Barlow.

"I really look up to him and admire him, he's such an inspirational man," he said. "I've never met anybody like him, he's so talented."

Barlow commented during The X Factor that he believed Collins would have no trouble getting a record deal.