A FORMER X Factor contestant will take on the role of wartime poet Wilfred Owen in Wirral next month.

James Michael, who was mentored by Gary Barlow on the hit show last year, will appear in Bullets and Daffodils when it comes to the borough.

The West End production will be staged at Heswall Hall as part of Heswall Arts Festival on October 17.

And James, 21, who was booted out of the competition by Gary in week one of the live shows, is looking forward to his first acting role.

He said: “I met with the play’s writer, Dean Johnson, and discussed the role. He gave me a CD of the show and after listening to it, I was so moved that I knew I had to do it.

“I have wanted to get into theatre for a while so this seemed like the perfect opportunity get started and give it a go.”

Written by Birkenhead songwriter Dean Johnson the show is a “passionate tribute” to Wilfred Owen and tells the story of his life The performance at the Heswall Arts Festival is part of the 'Wilfred Was Here ' tour and follows in the poets footsteps from his time here in Heswall where he attended school camp at Barnston Dale while a pupil of the Birkenhead Institute Tickets are £6 for adults and £4 for concessions.