16 September 2006
COURAGE OF X FACTOR SCOT
By Ben Spencer
DailyRecord
X FACTOR hopeful Kerry McGregor is reaching for the stars - and believes her disability could help her achieve her dream.
Singer-actress Kerry, who broke her back at 13, impressed the show's notorious judges with her talent and her courage to win through to the second "boot camp" stage of the show.
After a stunning version of Maria McKee's Show Me Heaven, she told them of the impact her accident had on her life.
She said: "My life changed completely for me at that point because, from an early age, I had been very involved in singing and ballet and drama.
"In some people's eyes, it could be a hindrance but in my eyes it's not.
"If anything, it gives me all the more reason to kick my heels in and go on. I am determined and I will achieve.
"Without the music, I probably wouldn't have the drive and passion to be here today.
"I just want to prove to people that there's always a way forward. It's just a state of mind sometimes."
Judge Louis Walsh looked moved and told her: "You've definitely got a very good voice, Kerry. And you sang it like you meant it and I really liked it. "
Sharon Osbourne added: "You've got a great voice, a great face too. I liked it very much."
Even Mr Nasty Simon Cowell told her: "You've got a great voice. Good choice of song."
Kerry, from Pumpherston, West Lothian, has had to use a wheelchair since breaking her back when she fell out of a tree.
But she has never let it stop her pursuing her showbiz ambitions and she has already had several brushes with fame.
She played Carol-Ann in the 2003 Channel 4 series The Book Group and shocked viewers with sizzling sex scenes with disabled author Kenny, played by Scott's Porage Oats hunk Rory McCann.
She competed to represent Britain in the Eurovision song contest in 1997 but lost out to Katrina And The Waves.
Her song Yodel In The Canyon Of Love with band Do Re Me was one of only four short-listed tracks.
She made her TV debut on the National Lottery Live in the same year to promote the song, which was a big hit in gay clubs.
At the time, Kerry said: "As a girl, I watched Bucks Fizz and Abba and wondered if I'd ever be up on the stage doing the same."
"The song is really hitting well with the gay scene.
"I think it must be because it's one of those happy, cheery wee songs."
Kerry went on to form a duo called Kimera and released Never Let Go in March 2003.
'Without the music, I wouldn't have the drive'
