Ben Mills

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Ben Mills
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Collett Mills
Origin	Chatham, Kent, England
Genre(s)	Rock
Occupation(s)	Singer and songwriter
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar, piano, keyboard
Years active	2007–present
Label(s)	Sony BMG
Associated acts	Leona Lewis, Raymond Quinn

Benjamin Collett Mills (born 1 March 1980 in Chatham, Kent, England) is a British singer who shot to fame on the third series of The X Factor, where he finished in third place. He is currently recording his debut album and has signed a five-album record deal with Sony BMG.^[1] His album, Picture of You, was released on 12 March 2007, the same date as the debut album from The X Factor runner up Raymond Quinn.^[2] His debut single was advertised as "Beside You" and set to be released on 5th March 2007. However, the single was pulled by the record company at the last minute. The reason given was to concentrate on album sales.

Mills was a co-director of a marquee hire company, in his home town of Whitstable before appearing on The X Factor.

He gained a diploma in music from the Academy Of Contemporary Music in Guildford, Surrey and has been singing since he was a child. He also plays piano and guitar. He was also a keyboard player in the tribute band to The Doors called The L.A. Doors. He also did the pub and club circuit with his own band called Benzego.

Mills' audition for The X Factor was "Bring It On Home To Me" by Sam Cooke, which impressed the panel of judges; Simon Cowell thought he sounded like a young Joe Cocker, who, incidentally, Ben names as one of his musical influences along with Tom Waits, Rod Stewart and David Bowie. During his time on The X Factor he was mentored by Sharon Osbourne.

Ben has a gruff singing voice, which has been likened to that of Rod Stewart.