Former X Factor star Ray Quinn has returned to music in a bid to recover from playing a racist in hit soap Hollyoaks.
Ray’s hoping his first album in 13 years will offer some light relief, as playing the far-right character
Jonny Baxter took a toll on his mental wellbeing.
He told me: “I had to put myself in this crazy mindset because he was a lunatic!
“It was a whirlwind 12 months. I enjoyed it but it was hard sometimes, the things I had to say and do.
“In my mind it sounded so wrong but I just had to forget my inhibitions and beliefs as soon as they said action.
Jonny Baxter took a toll on his mental wellbeing (Image: LIMEPICTURES)
“It was tough to get back into that role everyday of course.”
Ray says his cheeky chappy persona that the public saw on The X Factor helped him to separate him from the villain.
“I think that saved me. My safety net was people could understand and draw the line and say, ‘We know what Ray is like normally’.”
He says it was all worth it: “The positivity that came out of it has just been amazing. Shining some light on the issue was incredible.”
Ray’s album Undeniable, out May 29, showcases what a softie he is. He covers his favourite love songs and debuts four brilliant new tracks including They Say Love.
Ray is releasing an album full of love songs shortly after getting engaged to girlfriend (Image: Instagram)
“The whole album is based around love. I have a big family. My mum and dad have been together for 50-odd years and it’s just my childhood and me in a nutshell.”
Originally Ray wanted to record a pop album but it didn’t feel right. “We put together a pop album and I went in with all kinds of monologues and put a load of songs together. I was in my 20s and I was rebelling, but I just figured out it wasn’t me.”
●First single, a fantastic cover of Mercy, is out now.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
