IT has been one heck of a journey for Kilbirnie man Shaun Hamilton, from The Blue Lagoon chippy in Largs, to becoming a VIP at the X Factor finals on Saturday.

The fish fryer met the winners of the X Factor, Rak-Su, and was even told by singer Emily Middlemas that he was almost as famous as her after he appeared in the TV commercial breaks for the top rated ITV talent show.

Shaun, who was joined by his wife Toni Lee, said: “It was really thrilling, and great to meet the X Factor winners and contestants, and party with them afterwards.

“It has been quite a journey for me starting out as coming from Kilbirnie to heading down to London and being given the full VIP treatment at the X Factor finals at the Excel in London.

“I arrived at 5.30pm and was taken up to the Platinum Suite, where Emily Middlemas performed, and I got a picture with Emily. She came up to me and said, ‘You are the guy who performs on the Just Eat commercials just before the ad break - you are just as famous as me.”

After Rak-Su won the big finale, there was an after party at the Excel involving all the contestants and the winners, and Simon Cowell thanked Just East for being part of the sponsorship for The X Factor During the series, Shaun has been singing All out of Love by Air Supply and ‘Place Your Hands Up’ by Reef, and it had certainly not gone unnoticed, with Shaun even signing some autographs.

“It was a great experience,” said Shaun, “and wonderful to meet everyone from The X Factor.

“The party continued on at the Excel till 12.30am.”

Shaun said he would like to thank the Blue Lagoon and Just Eat for all their support, and also thanked Toni Lee for all her help and backing.

Shaun has now hung up his apron to concentrate on his singing career, having been inundated with requests since his national TV appearances.