Believe (Jai McDowall album)

Believe is the debut studio album by Scottish singer and Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall. The album was released on 9 December 2011 via Sony Music and Syco Music. A promotional single, "With or Without You" was released and performed on various UK shows such as Daybreak.

Background

McDowall secured a recording contract after winning the fifth series of ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent on 4 June 2011, beating bookies favorite Ronan Parke. It was reported that after successful meetings between McDowall and judge Simon Cowell, McDowall had been signed by Cowell's record label Syco, and that he had secured a two-album deal in August 2011. Following the signing, McDowall took part in the Britain's Got Talent Live Tour, which saw him perform in several cities in his native country, including Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow. He later performed at select dates throughout England. In September 2011, he performed live at the official 2011 Glasgow Annual Show in front of 20,000 people.

Jai McDowall

Jai McDowall (born 24 July 1986) is a Scottish singer–songwriter who won the fifth series of Britain's Got Talent in June 2011. As the winner, he received £100,000 and performed at the 2011 Royal Variety Performance. McDowall was signed to Syco Music, a subdivision of record label giant, Sony Music.

Before Britain's Got Talent, he appeared as a contestant on The X Factor and The American Idol Experience. His debut album Believe was released on 9 December 2011. The lead single "With or Without You" was released the same day. In March 2012, he was dropped by Syco after poor sales of his debut album. This prompted an outburst from the singer, who claimed that Syco boss, Simon Cowell, was anti-Scottish. Shortly after, the Mirror newspaper reported that the singer had, ironically, purchased a house on Fail Avenue.

Early and personal life

McDowall was born and lives in Tarbolton in Ayrshire, Scotland where he worked as a support worker prior to winning Britain's Got Talent. He was a member of the Ayr Amateur Opera Company and Loudoun Musical Society. He played roles such as Frank in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Motel in Fiddler on the Roof.