Pembrokeshire’s first-ever X Factor finalist Jay James Picton has been talking of how pride in his home county and his love for his family are keeping him grounded, as the massive show goes into its live stages.

The 31-year-old former Royal Navy fitness instructor from Saundersfoot sailed to success in the eyes of the judges at the weekend as he sang Paloma Faith’s Changing with a moody-styled makeover.

“I have to connect with the lyrics of a song, and change is what my life has been all about in the last few months,” said Jay.

“I’ve been trying to find success for so long, so to get to this stage and have this incredible platform to work from is amazing.

“It was a real moment for me on Saturday. I was so disappointed with my previous performance at Simon Cowell’s house in Los Angeles, but I realised that you can over-think these things and I just went out there and enjoyed every minute.”

Jay was speaking to the Western Telegraph on Monday from the X Factor house, where he shares a room with the exuberant ex-holiday camp entertainer Stevi Ritchie, who re-entered the contest on a wildcard.

“We’re really good friends,” said Jay.

“We both have daughters, so we’ve got pictures of them on the wall, and we have a great laugh - we’re like the Ant and Dec of the house.”

As James Picton, Jay grew up in Saundersfoot until he left the village as a 16-year-old to join the Royal Navy.

He took up music while on sick leave from a knee injury, and went on to win a recording contract.

But eventually he asked to be released from the contract and returned to Saundersfoot when his wife Victoria was expecting their daughter Nova, now 13 months old.

“We wanted her to be born and raised where I was, and she was actually born in the same ward as I was at Glangwili Hospital,” said Jay.

“Nova is such a good girl - I love her to bits. The day I left for the X Factor house she took her first steps, which was amazing.

“I’m doing this all for them. I know what it’s like to be away from family from when I was in the Navy, but having a wife and daughter is just completely different. Victoria is my rock and my anchor, and I gain great strength from them.”

The singer’s range of tattoos include particularly significant ones on his right arm - including ‘Saundersfoot Boy’, the Welsh feathers, references to his mum Janet and dad Terry and a swallow, showing he has covered 5,000 nautical miles and the sign he has found his true love in Victoria.

“If I would give my right arm for something, then it goes on my right arm,” he revealed.

“I am very proud of where I come from, and I can’t thank local people enough for their support, which means so much to me.”