Despite earning a record six million votes in the 2004 series of The X-Factor and scoring a number one album and single with his debut releases, blue-eyed soul singer Steve Brookstein's major-label career ended perhaps more abruptly than any winner in talent show history. Born in South London in 1968, Brookstein's musical ambitions only surfaced at the relatively late age of 20, after a performance at a local karaoke bar inspired him to pursue a career in the industry. He became a regular fixture at various clubs, singing cover versions of songs by Luther Vandross, Al Green, and George Benson, and in 1996, he signed to MCA Records. However, his first single, a reworking of Teddy Pendergrass' "Only You," failed to find a release date, as did the material he penned for other artists during a publishing deal with EMI in New York. Following these setbacks, Brookstein moved back to London, but after being asked to support Dionne Warwick on her U.K. tour, he auditioned for the first series of Simon Cowell's The X-Factor in 2004. Despite initial reservations about his vocal ability from the judges, his housewife-friendly performances helped him to reach the final, and although he faced a rather stinging criticism from Sharon Osbourne, he beat pop-opera group G4 to be crowned the show's first winner. After signing a deal with Sony BMG, he reached number one with his first single, a cover version of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds," and with his following full-length album, Heart & Soul. However, just eight months later, he was dropped by his label amid rumors of arguments with former mentor Cowell over the covers-heavy material he was being asked to record. Brookstein has since become one of the The X-Factor's fiercest critics, often blasting its format, judges, and contestants in various bitter rants both in the press and online. In 2006, he independently released his second album, 40,000 Things, but following its lowly number 165 chart position, he went on to perform in various pizza joints and coffee houses. Brookstein has since concentrated on producing his wife, Eileen Hunter's debut album, joined the cast of Olivier Award-winning musical Our House, and recorded a track with German dance duo Boogie Pimps.