'X Factor' hopeful Niki has pop singer past

X Factor hopeful Niki Evans was once being lined up as the next Kylie Minogue by music mogul Pete Waterman.

The former Pop Idol judge worked with Niki when she was just eighteen. She released a single called 'Who Do You Think You Are?' which made it into the top 50, and she also sang on a TV advertisement for Coca-Cola.

Viewers saw Niki, now 34, auditioning for X Factor in the first episode of the talent series last night; impressing the four judges with a performance of Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You'. She told the panel that she had decided to try out for the show after finding an application form in the belongings of her deceased father, who wanted Niki to pursue her pop career again.

A source told the News of the World: "At one time Niki was being groomed as the next Kylie Minogue. She had the looks and the voice. Unfortunately for her, 'Who Do You Think You Are' never had the legs to break through as a major hit. It got a bit of radio airplay and made the charts but wasn't sensational.

"At the time there were so many female popstars around trying to break it was felt that it wasn't worth pursuing Niki's career. Within a couple of years she was back working the amateur circuit. Most people assumed we'd never hear from her again."

An X Factor spokeswoman has insisted that Niki did not break any rules by applying for the show.

She explained: "As long as an artist isn't under a current recording contract they are allowed to audition for the show. People like Niki are the reason why Simon Cowell invented The X Factor. She's tried all her life and this is her second chance."