It was the series which brought a young Diana Vickers to national prominence and in which Alexandra Burke beat boyband JLS in the final, but 2008’s X Factor is probably still best remembered for the exit of Laura White.

In spite of being one of the favourites to win, the young singer from Atherton was forced off the show at the live finals stage, sparking a wave of protest.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, her local MP, raised the issue in Parliament, more than 100,000 signatures were gathered on two petitions calling for her reinstatement and celebrity fans including Lily Allen and Leona Lewis spoke out in her defence.

In addition, the internet was alive with conspiracy theorists casting doubts on the programme’s telephone voting system.

Now Laura is back with a debut album ready for release and a one-off show at the Lowry at Salford Quays at the end of January signalling the start of a new direction in her career.

Referring to the X Factor, she said: “I did a show that I felt I needed to do to get heard after touring the country for six years never feeling I had a chance. I never did anything but music after the show.

"So many people wanted to be TV celebrities, West End stars or would release any music they were given, but I didn’t. I stepped back and did me.”

Laura has spent much of the past three years writing songs both for herself and for other artists.

“I have written tracks for artists including Leona Lewis and Cher Lloyd. The problem is a never want to give my songs up.”

Apart from one track, Laura has written every song on her debut album — Lyrics in My Underwear.

“I wrote it literally as my diary,” he said. “They are based on real experience in my life I had felt and lived through.

The focus was to be real and to tell my experiences so others could relate to them.”

Laura is clearly proud of her new album which she feels reflects who she is as an artist.

“They are songs that are not afraid to be different,” she said. “My album means everything to me. After gigging in tiny places, writing songs for nine years, playing keyboards since I was eight, music is in my heart.”

Laura will be showcasing songs from the album at the Lowry on Saturday, January 28.

She said: “I chose the Lowry as it is in my home city and has been a venue that I particularly have always wanted to play due to its reputation for having music based artists perform rather than product-packaged artists who are told what to sing.”

For the show Laura will be accompanied by a four-piece band play strings and trumpet and she will also play keyboards.

Tickets for the show are available from the box office on0843 208 6000.

In spite of being one of the favourites to win, the young singer from Atherton was forced off the show at the live finals stage, sparking a wave of protest.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, her local MP, raised the issue in Parliament, more than 100,000 signatures were gathered on two petitions calling for her reinstatement and celebrity fans including Lily Allen and Leona Lewis spoke out in her defence.

In addition, the internet was alive with conspiracy theorists casting doubts on the programme’s telephone voting system.

Now Laura is back with a debut album ready for release and a one-off show at the Lowry at Salford Quays at the end of January signalling the start of a new direction in her career.

Referring to the X Factor, she said: “I did a show that I felt I needed to do to get heard after touring the country for six years never feeling I had a chance. I never did anything but music after the show.

"So many people wanted to be TV celebrities, West End stars or would release any music they were given, but I didn’t. I stepped back and did me.”

Laura has spent much of the past three years writing songs both for herself and for other artists.

“I have written tracks for artists including Leona Lewis and Cher Lloyd. The problem is a never want to give my songs up.”

Apart from one track, Laura has written every song on her debut album — Lyrics in My Underwear.

“I wrote it literally as my diary,” he said. “They are based on real experience in my life I had felt and lived through.

"The focus was to be real and to tell my experiences so others could relate to them.”

Laura is clearly proud of her new album which she feels reflects who she is as an artist.

“They are songs that are not afraid to be different,” she said.

“My album means everything to me.

"After gigging in tiny places, writing songs for nine years, playing keyboards since I was eight, music is in my heart.”

Laura will be showcasing songs from the album at the Lowry on Saturday, January 28.

She said: “I chose the Lowry as it is in my home city and has been a venue that I particularly have always wanted to play due to its reputation for having music based artists perform rather than product-packaged artists who are told what to sing.”

For the show Laura will be accompanied by a four-piece band play strings and trumpet and she will also play keyboards.

Tickets for the show are available from the box office on 0843 208 6000.