Shayne Ward's chasing the American Dream

May 2 2008 by Karen Price, Western Mail

He may not be as famous or as successful as Leona Lewis, but X Factor winner Shayne Ward is still enjoying a successful career. He talks to Karen Price about fame, football and what it’s like being a heart-throb

GO on, whisper it... Shayne Ward bears an uncanny resemblance to American superstar Justin Timberlake. They’re both young, can hold a tune and have the girls falling at their feet.

Ok Ward hasn’t yet duetted with Madonna or bagged himself a Hollywood A-lister as a girlfriend, but he may well get there one day.

But, for now, it seems his young fans are more than happy with the way in which the former X Factor winner is progressing. In fact, there’s even a Facebook page dedicated to the question: Do you think Shayne Ward is the UK answer to Justin Timberlake?

It seems that the overwhelming consensus from the young women who are contributing to the national debate is a resounding “Yes”. And many of them think the British version is better.

So what does Ward, a rather shy and modest young man despite being a pop star, make of it all?

“It’s a great compliment to be compared to Justin. He’s very credible. It’s probably because I have a shaved head,” he laughs.

Ward, who won the ITV talent contest in 2005 – a year before its most high-profile winner Leona Lewis – kicks off his new UK tour on May 12. And you can bet those women who are writing about his merits on the social networking site will be queuing in their droves to see their idol.

Last summer he was one of the acts on the opening night of Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival. While it may be the kind of event that attracts the older music fan with an ear for the classics, the screams were deafening when Ward stepped onto the stage – I should know as they nearly ruptured my ear drum.

“It was good fun. It’s always good when a festival has different elements from the music industry,” says Manchester-born Ward, whose father was sent to prison for rape.

“I met Bryn backstage – he was a really nice guy. He was very appreciative. It was pretty cool that he asked me to go there.”

Ward, whose second album, Breathless, went platinum, kicked off 2008 with a promotional trip to Hong Kong and China, where the album went gold in only four days. His eponymous debut album saw him go on to be the biggest- selling artist in Asia in 2006.

“I have a connection with the public (in Asia). I am who I am and they feel a bit of a connection with me,” says the 23-year-old.

“They love music out there – it’s just about having the right sound. It’s nice to be accepted. I spent a lot of time out there before Christmas. I was in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.”

He’s also “massive” in South Africa, a place he will visit again later this year.

But, for now, he’s looking forward to the UK tour, which will include a date in Cardiff.

“I can’t wait – the first tour was in 2006. I get a little bit nervous but excited too. It’s good to feel like that.”

Ward will round the tour off playing in front of 70,000 music fans at Croke Park in Dublin as support to Westlife.

“I want it to be sensational. I love performing live and being alongside the crowd.”

Although it’s more than two years since Ward won The X Factor, he is still going strong while many reality TV stars disappear no sooner than their debut single hits the record stores. Steve Brookstein anyone?

He says the secret is not rushing out the singles and albums.

“You have to take your time and listen to what the fans want. And you have to know what sounds right, what works and what doesn’t. I’m taking a few years to find what’s exactly me. I’m excited to explore how my voice sounds.”

He also owes much of his success to his manager Louis Walsh, who was his mentor on the X Factor. The pair clearly enjoy a close friendship.

“He’s wicked. He is one funny guy. He’s always on form,” Ward says of his boss. “He’s very caring and very focused. I owe the guy a lot.”

As far as the 2006 winner Leona Lewis is concerned, Ward is delighted by her success, which has seen her top the American charts – a major feat for a UK artist.

“I think it’s great (her success). We both came from the same show and I support her 100%. She’s lovely and has a fantastic voice.”

Is he not a little envious that it’s not him receiving acclaim in the US?

“I think everyone wants to crack it at the end of the day. You want your music to be everywhere. After the tour I’m going to America for four to six weeks so it’s on the map for me as well. I’m going to be working with all these different writers so it’s going to be exciting.”

To be fair, Ward hasn’t done too badly, selling more than 2.5 million records worldwide and achieving 14 number ones. Of course, with the success comes the fame and Ward admits that he is comfortable with it.

“I enjoy it – as long as everyone is nice, I don’t mind people taking photos or asking for autographs.”

Ward now lives in London but the family-oriented singer spends as much time as he can back in Manchester visiting his beloved mum, siblings and girlfriend Faye Mckeever.

“I see them as often as I can. It’s always nice to go home.”

The next few weeks will pass in a blur as he prepares to hit the road and wow those female – and male – fans. Does he enjoy being a heart-throb?

“I’m not going to say I don’t like it,” he laughs.

Mr Timberlake eat your heart out.

Shayne Ward is at Cardiff International Arena on May 19. The box office number is 029 2022 4488