Former X Factor finalist Jahmene Douglas has insisted he does not want to be seen as a 'sob story' in spite of his well-publicised traumatic past.
The former Asda worker - who finished second to James Arthur in the 2012 series of the show - is a youth ambassador for the charity Women's Aid and donated his profits from debut single Titanium to the cause.
However he insisted he wanted to highlight the way he had turned things around for himself, after he and his mother suffered domestic abuse at the hands of his father Eustace.
"I get annoyed when the papers say I'm a 'sob story'," he said. "I didn't want people going through the same thing to define themselves as being closed, miserable and sad, they should be happy and in control of themselves.
"People need to know I've switched the negative into a positive and am raising money for a good cause."
He added: "I wanted to get involved because of what I've been through. There are so many things that need to be done and aren't being funded by governments."
Jahmene - who also spent time in a witness protection scheme with his family after his father was jailed -said he has now 'become more comfortable in who I am'.
"The real Jahmene is probably a little bit unhinged and probably needs therapy, but I'm happy," he said.
"I was one of those kids that was just inside all the time, so to go from that to TV cameras in your face, it was intense. I wouldn't change anything though, because it's helped me grow to who I am now."
Jahmene is expected to top the album charts on Sunday with his debut record Love Never Fails.
