We caught up with Wilding to find out why he decided to go through it all again.
How did it feel stepping on the stage again, one year on?
"It was crazy. It's always crazy. It's like you're watching the judges and Dermot on TV, but then you're getting on that stage and you realise, 'Oh crap... I'd better sing now'."
Did you always think that you'd have a second crack at the competition?
"No, I did genuinely think, 'Oh no that's me done now, I've blown in'. I took a step back and it was only because a friend of my auditioned that I went along. I went along to support her and there was only five people in front of her, so I said, 'Do you know what? I'm going to do it'."
What's the past 12 months been like? Has it felt like you've been in limbo?
"It's been really strange, I got back from Australia and Judges' Houses last year and then on the Monday, I was back in class doing my A-Levels. It was a big culture shock. I went away, I lost a bit of weight... I just tried to, I know it sounds cheesy, make myself better."
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Did you really go for a makeover?
"Oh I love these stories about a £10,000 makeover. I'd love to have £10,000 for a makeover. I did have my teeth done, but that was just some money I had saved for a car. I just put the car on hold for a while. I thought, 'Do you know what? The teeth are the first thing people see when you sing'."
Why did you want to go through the whole process again? Were you not scared about being hurt for a second time?
"It's a really long process, it really is. You've got to keep on going and make the most of it that you can. It's a crazy old experience, The X Factor, but it's a great one at the same time."
Have you improved over the last 12 months?
"Definitely. Watching myself back last year, I looked very young, I'd just turned 18. I went by myself halfway across the world last year and that makes you grow up very fast. I took that away from last year and I've built upon it over the last 12 months."
It must have been emotional getting the thumbs up from the judges this time?
"The reaction I got from the judges... it couldn't have been any better. I never thought it could go that well. It was a crazy, crazy, crazy experience. Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child, Tulisa saying these things, standing up for me... I'm just an average guy from Essex, so to have them standing up for me was just really amazing. It really was amazing."
Do you think the new judges are better than the old panel?
"I just think it's a fresher panel. It's more lively, it's more upbeat. The judges work incredibly well together and I love the new panel. It shows on TV how well they work as a team."
Will you be keeping that dodgy hat on throughout the series?
"I'm sticking with the hat for now I think. For the moment. It might come off later on. I'm not quite sure yet. Matt Cardle did well with the hat, so did Olly Murs, so I'm going to stick with it."
Did you watch the show back on Saturday?
"I watched it around a friend's house. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I hid behind a pillow when I came on, I couldn't watch it. Cringe! I'm not the biggest fan of seeing myself on TV. But they edited me really well and it all looked really great, so I can't be too down about it."
What sort of music do you see yourself recording?
"Soul, R&B, a lot of older music. Classics like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, that sort of era. That's the sort of music I'd like to make. Obviously the markets have changed and you have to stick with trends, but that's the route I'd like to go down. I don't like comparing myself to people today, but I love things like Adele and Jessie J."
Will you be back for a third year if you miss out again at Judges' Houses?
"If I get a no this year, I definitely won't be coming back. I'll go my own way and try to do it myself. It's what I've always wanted to do, and whatever path I have to take, I'll be determined and do that."
The X Factor continues this weekend with a double-bill on Saturday and Sunday on ITV1
