Most X-Factor fans will agree that series 11 has been the best yet...

It wasn't because Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fenandez Versini returned to the hot seat.

Nor was it because mouthy Spice Girl Melanie Brown brought a refreshing perspective to the judging panel.

It was simply down to the fact that a legend was born... Stevi Ritchie.

The 33-year-old call center worker from Colchester defied the odds to finish 6th place in the competition.

He couldn't sing as well as his competitors. He couldn't dance to Fleur's standards. But his winning personality and outrageous routines were simply TV gold making him a legend loved by millions of viewers.

"When I was eliminated at judges houses I was devastated. I was smoking, eating and drinking because you go through a massive journey with the X-Factor.

"But then I was called to London. I saw Cheryl who is the most stunning woman I have ever seen and when she said I was a wildcard, I was like OMG!"

And it was OMG moments that followed with Stevi delivering the most extreme X-Factor performances that viewers have ever witnessed from his Eqyptian themed I'm Still Standing to his sensitive The Phantom of the Opera tribute Music of the Night.

Now Stevi's focus turns to the tour which will be at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Friday, February 27 at 7.30pm and Saturday, February 28, and he expects the audiences to be surprised.

"I have been working on my performance and I think everyone will be a bit surprised by my singing voice. I have been training and I have got my sexy dancers back with me. I hope everyone enjoys it," he said.

He will be joined on tour by show favourites Fleur East, Stereo Kicks and of course winner Ben Haenow - who Stevi didn't initially expect to win.

He said: "I knew Ben would be in the final five but I didn't expect him to win. His popularity just grew each week. I thought Jay or Paul would have won it. When they went I thought Ben or Fleur. Then I picked Ben to win the final, he is an amazing talent."

On tour, Stevi can't wait to meet up with Jay James again, admitting, "I had a bromance with him in the house. I cried my heart out when he went."

But he will be perhaps avoiding the Stereo kicks boys', "They are very loud. They kept me and Jay awake at times."

The father-of-one - he is dad to daughter Summer (7) - is currently dating fellow contestant Chloe Jasmine admitting it is going well but the pair are 'complete opposites'.

The real romance, however, that the fans want to know about is between Stevi and mentor Simon Cowell.

"I have not spoke to him since the final but it was mentioned to me that he said at the National Television Awards that he would not rule out giving me a record deal.

"I miss him and he is like a brother."

At least Stevi knows he will receive some admiration - if not from Cowell - but from the Scottish fans.

"I played Campus in Glasgow not that long ago actually and I love the northerners.

"I absolutely love the Scottish crowd, they know how to let themselves go.

"The Scottish women are so forward and honest."

Stevi is also proud of his Scottish roots explaining that his dad's relatives are from Glasgow and Ritchie is in fact a Scottish name.

He joked, "There is a bit of Scottish in me."

That little bit of Scottish has perhaps given him the dutch courage to try some of our local delicacies, "I love Irn Bru," he beamed.

"I have tried haggis but I need to try deep fried Mars bars."

Likeable Ritchie is first to say that the X-Factor experience has been overwhelming, "I expected to go week one or two, I never expected to get to the final six.

"People said you made the X-Factor for me and I have just been me all along so it is very flattering."

As for the future, Stevi is keeping his options open but he is adamant that he will remain loyal to show supremo Cowell.

"I am very loyal to Simon. I couldn't do Strictly. I would never go to the other side. It would be great to be part of the X-Factor this year as a backstage reporter.

"I am keeping my options open, I would like to try presenting, have my own show, do a west end musical, or bring a single out."

By the sounds of things we haven't heard the last of Stevi Ritchie.

For tickets to the show, visit www.thessehydro.com