The X Factor - Story Detail - Daniel meets real heroes

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Headley Court

Daniel meets real heroes

05 Nov 08

Headley Court heros inspire Hero singers

The X Factor single Hero will hold on to the number one spot - if enough people go out and buy it before Sunday.

Everyone here is hoping that the contestants can claim another week at the top - especially as we approach the all-important landmark of Remembrance Sunday.

If you haven't bought the single yet - go on! You really are contributing to a very good cause.

We spoke to contestant Daniel Evans about visiting the tri-services rehab centre where some of the servicemen most seriously injured go after they return from war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of the personnel at Headley Court will never recover fully. Instead they are taught to adapt to a new life with the restrictions of missing limbs, paralysis, nerve and brain damage.

Said Daniel; "I didn't know what to expect when I went to Headley Court. I thought we would be walking around hospital beds, and I thought it would be a sad thing".

"It turned out to be an inspirational day. I was bowled over by the courage and commitment and positivity of the people I met".

"I was talking a couple of brilliant boys, Ben and Steven. There was one guy who lost his lost his leg under the knee and he was like, "I'm going back to Afghan. I've got to help my mates".

"They were the nicest bunch of people I've met. We thought we'd lift them with the single, but in the end, they lifted us. I felt special and lucky to be inspired by them..."

"...But really, it is these guys who need the help".

You can help injured servicemen and women by contributing to the Help for Heroes and Royal British Legion Poppy Day Appeal.

Especially now that he's seen where the money raised from the sale of single Hero is going, Daniel is desperate to raise as much cash as possible.

He told us, "I would love to go back to the centre one day, in five years time, to see where the money has gone. I'd go back under my own steam - do you think they would let me? I'm proud to have been able to help".

Daniel said, "The feeling of achievement I have from being part of this single - an achievement that everyone who has bought the single is part of - is something that will go on to carry me through life".

I'd like to help by downloading Hero from iTunes

I'd like to help by downloading Hero from Play.com

I'd like to help by buying the CD from Amazon

 

 

See also

Story 04 Nov 08 Marvin shares his champers!

Video 06 Nov 08 How Daniel got through last Saturday

Gallery 04 Nov 08 Secret snaps

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User Comments

That's all folks, the comments are now closed...

but don't worry you can start commenting again from 12pm weekdays and 10am during the weekend. Best wishes, The X Factor Team.

mark1christine21/11/2008 12:58:50

Brilliant to see all the support being given to the servicemen by you and Headley Court. We could help too, Portland College is a national college in Nottinghamshire and we train disabled people for employment. Ofsted gave us an outstanding this year for students into jobs so perhaps you can let them know to contact us if they want more information! ps got my tickets for the tour!

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kezza213/11/2008 21:53:25

right this is a thankyou to all the army men and women i respect you all im 13 and my uncle is over iraq his my hero so is my aunty allthough she has now left the army there my heros same as all the other troops. also i think that the xfactor finalist sung hero very well thanks :P xx

chlooe08/11/2008 15:49:34

daniell, your ann okay singerr, better than alot of people in the world :L xx

haroonjaved06/11/2008 14:21:39

i think daniel is the worst singers in this competition, every week he brings up another sop story just to get the attention of peoples votes. the first week 'the judges dont like me' this week 'i feel louwee really dosent like me' jus get your act together an start singing properly or get out of th competition you are really not good, id carry on my singing career in pubs if i were you.

bethree6605/11/2008 23:32:55

****ALEXANDRA AND LAURA FOR THE FINAL BEST FINAL EVER !! CAN YOU IMAGINE IT?? DIVASSS ***2 AWESOME VOICES & WOMEN, VOTE FOR THEM **

watersidemags05/11/2008 22:19:32

I hope Daniel prooves he can sell records and if not a winner then I would buy an album of his. JLS stand a good chance & Laura or Diana.

watersidemags05/11/2008 22:16:31

I look forward to each XFactor competition and may the best one win but I must admit that I sometimes think the judges are very patronising towards the final contestants. The judges played a big part in getting a final selection and then ridicule them for all sorts of reasons. Some of the reasons have nothing to do with the quality of singing. I sometimes close my eyes when they start to sing as that is how I buy the albums that I have by using my ears and not my eyes. Judges should do the same.

debbjo05/11/2008 20:39:34

Daniel you may not be the best singer in the competition but you have a heart of gold. The way you described this experience was lovely. I don't think for one minute any of the others would have the intelligence or maturity to describe it so beautifully. These soldiers are true heros!

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