His high-decibel screeching and out-of-tune melodies got him banned from auditioning for the X-Factor.

But determined John Humphries has refused to give up on his dream - and is warming his vocal chords for his latest attempt at stardom.

The 53-year-old, known as Big John, hopes to hit the right note with the show's judges at London's O2 arena on Bank holiday Monday after months of practising.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-one is out to impress judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Dannii Minogue with his rendition of Let's Twist Again.

Persistent Mr Humphries, who recently moved to Abingdon after many years living in Blackbird Leys, said he believed he could make it to this year's X-Factor finals.

He said: "This will be the fifth time I have auditioned for the show.

"I'm more confident. I've changed my style of singing a little bit and I have had a bit of a breather. I really want to get through to the boot camp stage.

"I'm determined this year. I want to be on that live stage. I think I could go all the way."

Professional cleaner Mr Humphries found fame when he starred in reality television show The Singing Estate in 2006.

Mr Humphries, then of Sorrel Road, Blackbird Leys, was one of a group of amateur singers from the estate who were turned into a fully-fledged classical choir by professional conductor Ivor Setterfield.

Mr Humphries moved to Ock Street in Abingdon after splitting up with his wife Kathleen in August last year.

He became well-known after being laughed off X-Factor four times and starring in an spin-off programme featuring the show's best and worst auditions.

But judges lifted the life ban imposed by Simon Cowell after Mr Humphries made the leap from amateur warbler to classical entertainer by singing with the choir at the Royal Albert Hall.

Mr Humphries said he had been practising his singing during karaoke sessions at Abingdon's White Horse pub and felt he had picked the right song this year.