IF you like a thousand others are eager X Factor fans you too may have spotted two familiar faces in the crowds.

IF you like a thousand others are eager X Factor fans you too may have spotted two familiar faces in the crowds.

A father and daughter from Ipswich were picked up by the show's cameramen queuing at the O2 arena in London at auditions for the talent contest held in June.

Manager of Tower Ramparts shopping centre Mike Sorhaindo and his daughter Tara tried their luck in front of the show's producers for a chance to wow judges, Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Danni Minogue and Louis Walsh.

But despite breaking through into the second round of auditions the pair, who auditioned as solo singers, failed to make the final stages and sing in front of the celebrity panel.

Mr Sorhaindo, said he has been inundated with text messages and e-mails from friends who spotted him on Saturday night's show.

He said: “It has been unbelievable the number of people who saw us. It is amazing, my five minutes of fame was seen by so many people.

“It was really interesting seeing the whole process of the auditions. I was auditioning with my daughter as well, she has an excellent voice.

“We both got through the first stage and were invited back to perform in front of the show's producers.

“Unfortunately we didn't make it through the second round so didn't get the chance to perform in front of Simon Cowell.”

He said the nerves started to really kick in just moments before he took to the stage to sing in front of thousands of other waiting hopefuls.

Mr Sorhaindo, 45, said his dream would be to pursue singing as a career, his “ideal job” but admitted this could have been his last shot.

But he said he will encourage 21-year-old Tara, a professional nanny, to keep working hard to follow her dream and audition again next year.

He added: “I have never really fulfilled my dream, but Tara can pick up and run with hers. I will definitely encourage her to carry on, she has a much better chance.”