Chico lived in Morocco before moving to Crawley in West Sussex

The ex-goatherd and stripper will release his debut single It's Chico Time next month.

Slimani's dancing impressed X Factor judges but he failed to reach the final of the ITV talent show.

He is taking part in a nationwide X Factor tour, which begins in Newcastle next month. "The whole thing has been unbelievable," the 34-year-old said.

Dance troupe

Slimani lived in Morocco before moving to Crawley in West Sussex when he was 14.

He trained as a hairdresser and worked as an electrical engineer before joining exotic dance troupe Extreme Force, subsequently auditioning for The X Factor.

Despite Slimani's popularity with viewers he failed to become a finalist in the series, won by singer Shayne Ward in December.

Slimani had originally planned to release his single, which he performed during the talent show, before Christmas.