Rockin' at the Disco is quite a catchy song. We keep singing it in the office!

Every time I sing Rockin' at the Disco it just seems to implant in people's heads! I even had people telling me it's ruined their life! At the video shoot, we had rehearsals the day before and one of the dancers told me that they’d been awake at half three in the morning with it stuck in their head. That’s nice to hear. They weren’t too pleased though.

Where does the name Bandito come from?

The name Bandito comes from a Mexican corn chip. Their mascot is called Il Frito Bandito. We thought the name was really cool. Although everyone expects me to be foreign, but then they find out I’m a small white Scottish guy! 

What is your sound?

It’s basically dance-pop. It’s got the dance beats in there but the melodies are very pop based. It’s pop with a bit of added extra spice.

You were in a boyband before?

Yeah, I was picked to be in a boyband by Simon Cowell. It was just before the X Factor started and he was auditioning in Scotland for a Scottish version of Take That. But sadly boybands weren’t doing so well at the time so Simon decided to concentrate on X Factor, and we got sent home.

How did that make you feel?

It was a bit of a shock and really hard but we had a great time while we were doing it. We toured with Westlife and McFly. After that I decided I wanted to try to be a solo artist and that led to Bandito.

How do you think you’d fare up against Simon Cowell now on the X Factor?

I would be very nervous. Especially because this year everyone is really, really talented. Hopefully Bandito will work and I won’t ever have to find out!

You've made an album – what is it like?

I’m very happy with it. We have recorded lots of tracks, so hopefully if the fans like the first and second singles, it’ll get released.

We’ve put up some exclusive footage and photos from behind the scenes of your video..

That day was amazing, probably the best day of my life! My video for Rockin' at the Disco is set in a High School and I got to play a teacher. It’s not your typical dance music video, and I'm just so happy with it.

What have you been up to as an artist?

For the last six months I’ve been up and down the UK every week performing in clubs and at gigs. I went on the Dance Nation Tour too with Sash, Basshunter, September and people like that. I did some gigs with Cascada and supported N-Dubz. It’s been a pretty busy few months.

Does this make you even more determined to succeed?

Oh yeah, every time I go on stage I come off and I want more. I want it to be my own gig and my own tour.

How have your fans reacted?

Unbelievable! The meet and greets sometimes last three hours, just signing autographs and meeting people. I still find it strange because I am just a normal guy. I look up to someone like Basshunter who always has lots of time for his fans even though he is really famous and it has taught me to be the same way. I will give a minute to anyone if they’ll give me a minute of their time.

There are a lot of guys who think the song is quite cool too. It's very different from the boyband days when boys thought you were pretty naff. This time the music speaks for itself.

Is it important that your music appeals to everyone?

That’s the thing, I want everyone to have a listen and enjoy the song. Kids, grown-ups, everyone. Rockin’ at the Disco is just a happy, happy song.

Label mates Cascada and Basshunter – pretty impressive acts to follow?

Yeah there is a lot of pressure, and I am quite scared of people comparing me to Basshunter. He is actually aimed at a much older audience and mine is aimed more to under 18's.

When did you first start singing?

I used to play professional football until I was about 14, then my best friend brought his guitar into school, started singing and he became the most popular guy at school by far. He was getting all the attention so I thought, ‘right, I’m going to have a go’.

That’s makes me look really bad, doesn’t it?

I sang Westlife’s ‘What Makes a Man’ in a school show and I was hooked. I threw up about three times before because I was so nervous, but the buzz it gives you is so amazing.

Do you have any input in the writing?

Well I’ve just signed a publishing deal so I have a few songs on the album, which is really, really good. And a few co-writes too, but mostly I just let the production company pick the songs.

What would be your dream gig?  

This is gonna sound pretty sad, but I am from a little town called Bells Hill. My dream is to be that successful and famous that I could hold a big concert in the playing fields in Bells Hill and invite everyone who knows me to come and see me perform, and to have it broadcast all over the world.