Get ready to feel dead old here as it's nearly been eight years since Little Mix won The X Factor and the man who finished runner-up to the girls has a starring role in Newcastle this Christmas.
Liverpool lad Marcus Collins was pipped to the post by Little Mix in 2011 but has been busy ever since, releasing singles and albums and starring in shows right across the country, including in London's famous West End.
Other than The X Factor tour, which arrived at the arena at the start of 2012, Marcus hasn't performed in Newcastle but that will all chance in December when he takes to the stage at the Tyne Theatre in Aladdin.
Marcus will join the likes of Home & Away's Nic Westaway and Hollyoaks notorious baddie David Easter in the cast for the festive spectacular, which will also see
And, as you can see in the video interview above, he is very excited to be spending Christmas in the Toon, telling Chronicle Live: "Geordies and Scousers go together so beautifully so I'm sure the banter is going to be flowing. I'm very excited.
"I'm absolutely going to try and sample some of the Newcastle nightlife while I'm here. I'm going to try and get myself into Boulevard as much as I can but I'm very conscious I need to keep my body in shape!!
Marcus was well turned out in glittery Genie garb for Monday's panto launch at the Tyne Theatre and he's hoping there'll be plenty more to come.
He added "Sequins and glitter are panto to me so fingers crossed!"
