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X Factor winner to sing on Saga cruise
X Factor winner Sam Bailey, formerly a cruise singer, will go back to the seas when she joins Saga Sapphire’s music-themed St Petersburg and Baltic cruise this summer.
Bailey, who became a prison officer after her career singing on cruise ships, won the ITV talent show in 2013.
But the mother-of-three, who fell pregnant with her third child just after winning the show, was dropped from Simon Cowell’s record label, Syco, in February.
"I have to be honest, I work to live. As long as I’m earning money doing the thing I love most, I am happy; I can choose what I want to do, like singing on a Saga cruise," she said.
The 37-year-old will be travelling with her husband Craig and is looking forward to exploring the ship.
"Years back I used to sing on cruise ships, sailing over to Bilbao and to Gibraltar, but I have never been to the Baltic or any of the ports of call on this cruise," she said.
"I love to have fun and show off my voice so I hope the passengers will be singing along with me and enjoying themselves. I have got lots of great music up my sleeve to wow the audience.
"My mum will look after our three children so Craig and I will be able to spend lots of time together. Life has been so hectic – our house is being extended so we have all been staying at my sister’s. There are four adults, six children, including my three – Miley, eight months; Tom who is six, Brooke, 10, and two dogs in all one house™
Bailey has also started song writing and added: "I should have a single out by the end of the year and an album coming out, too. I have decided to keep my fingers in lots of pies.
"Different doors are opening but overall I love singing to an audience so being on Saga Sapphire is perfect because I want people to hear my voice and enjoy my show."’¨’¨
Also performing on the ship are The Four Legends performing Rat Pack favourites, Colin Bryant, and the Hot Rhythm Orchestra playing sounds from the Glenn Miller era.
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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