Photo: ITV
X Factor favourite Jake Quickenden has revealed how his brother died just two weeks ago - as he is poised for success on this year's series of the TV talent show.
The wannabe star lost his brother Oliver on 8 September 2012, just days after Jake's audition was screened on UK screens. Oliver, 19, was seen among the family and friend's who were cheering Jake on during his audition, during which he performed Kings Of Leon's 'Use Somebody'.
"I was at his house with the rest of our family when it happened. We were all with him," he tells The Sun newspaper. "It was devastating. But it was good he had everybody who loved him around him. It made it easier that everyone was there and we all got to say our goodbyes."
“He had been ill for a while but it was still a surprise. His breathing changed that morning. My mum said, ‘Everyone needs to be here now'," he added. "It was quick. He just stopped breathing and that was it. It was just disbelief at the fact he had gone and everyone loved him so much."
"He was everyone’s little hero. I don’t think we will ever get fully over it."
Tattooed Jake spoke of his pride that his brother was able to see his successful X Factor audition before his death.
"We all watched my audition on the X Factor together. Olly wasn’t very well but we had a Chinese and he said how proud he was of me," he said emotionally. "He came with us to Manchester when I auditioned and he got to see it all which was good. He teased me about it."
Oliver died of bone cancer, which was diagnosed in 2010. Jake progressed to the bootcamp stages, which begin on TV this weekend.
Below: the wannabes booted out of bootcamp
