12:03pm Wednesday 8th February 2006
Enfield singing sensation Andy Abraham is still living his dream with the X-Factor runner-up set to release his debut album on March 20.
According to his wife Denise, the former binman's feet have barely touched the ground since the ITV talent show ended in December.
More than nine million people watched Andy lose out to Shayne Ward, but coming second has not dented the 41-year old's popularity or soured his dream of singing for a living.
Mrs Abraham said: "It's been great, but hectic. Things have started to settle down a bit, but he's still attracting a lot of local support and fan mail. I knew Andy was capable of getting to the final but I never realised how big it would be."
The father-of-two has spent most of his time since Christmas holed up in a studio with former Westlife and Madonna producer Nigel Wright.
Fans who fell in love with Andy's soulful X-Factor performances won't be disappointed to hear that his popular version of the Billy Paul classic, Me and Mrs Jones, will feature on the new record.
According to Denise, it has taken her a while to get used to her husband's fame.
"It's been fantastic but still a bit surreal and bizarre because he's now a working singer.
To be able to say that at 41, he's got a record deal is incredible. Andy's happy doing what he loves doing."
Andy's schedule will not be easing up any time soon as he is about to embark on the 25-date X-Factor national tour which gets underway next week.
But first he has date at an estate agents in Enfield. Andy will be cutting the ribbon at the launch of Equity Estate Agents in Hertford Road on Saturday.
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