A singer, who was not expected to live beyond his teenage years, has vowed to continue his quest for pop stardom, despite being given the thumbs down by X-Factor judges.

Chris Yates, 30, who suffers from cystic fibrosis and is an insulin-dependent diabetic, beat 125,000 people to secure a place in the final stages of the TV talent show.

However, his bid for stardom has been quashed by programme judge Sharon Osbourne.

She failed to name him in the final eight of the 25-and-over category - despite showering him with praise in earlier rounds.

Despite the setback Chris, who performs professionally singing Shirley Bassey songs on the northern club circuit, has vowed not to give up.

"I will never give up on my dream to make it as a singer," said Chris, of Crag Road, Shipley.

The former Hanson School pupil auditioned for this year's show for the first time in Leeds in May, performing Whitney Houston's One Moment In Time.

However, it was not his first experience in front of the TV cameras - he was axed by Simon Cowell after appearing in the early stages of Pop Idol in 2002.

He said: "I was quite calm about it compared to when I was on Pop Idol, when I was a nervous wreck.

"Sharon and Louis came out to the holding area to talk to the contestants and put us all at ease."

Judges Sharon and pop impresario Louis Walsh were impressed with Chris's performance and voted him through to the show's boot camp'.

Chris and other qualifiers battled it out during a three-day stint at a London nightclub during August for one of only eight final places.

Chris said he was thrilled to make the last 16 but burst into tears when Sharon told him he had not made a final shortlist of eight after performing a rendition of The Beatles' Something.

However, his charismatic performances did earn him a slot this week on Sharon's TV chat show alongside two other contestants.

He now hopes to sing professionally in London's West End.

Chris, who has been singing since the age of five and has never had a lesson, said performing helped ease the effects of cystic fibrosis.

Doctors told his parents he would not live beyond the age of nine after identifying the condition during infancy.

Chris said: "My singing helps my chest and has acted as my physio really."

Previously a chef for Bradford Council, Chris has performed in more than 50 amateur theatre productions including Oliver and Joseph at the Alhambra.

He helped to raise £4,500 for Seacroft Hospital, Leeds, where he is treated, after releasing a charity album with the help of other cystic fibrosis sufferers.

He said: "Music is my life and I couldn't live without it. I still feel 18 and will never give up."

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk