X Factor reject Danyl Johnson said he struggled to live up to expectations after Simon Cowell hailed his first audition as the best he had ever seen.
The 27-year-old drama teacher from Reading - who was voted off the show on Sunday - was tipped to win after the high praise and audience standing ovation he received for his rendition of The Beatles With A Little Help From My Friends in his audition.
He compared the hype surrounding him to that of Britain's Got Talent superstar and current chart-topper Susan Boyle.
Johnson said: "It was only a disadvantage towards me - I had to beat that performance.
"The first time it's easier to wow. The second time is it easier to wow? I don't think it is, so you're always going to be up against that performance, it's just so over-hyped."
Johnson admitted he was "really gutted" to have got as far as the semi-final and not win the show, but insisted he was looking on the positive side.
He said: "I'm obviously really gutted because we get this far in the competition and you're one space away from being in the final and then you've got to go home.
"But it's nothing to be ashamed of being fourth place and I've really had a really good time, I've had a bad time as well, but I've had more good times. And Diana Vickers came fourth last year and she's doing really good right now so you've got to be happy with that."
The musician was the target of many negative comments on internet fan forums and was also heavily criticised by judges Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue for some of his performances on the show.
Johnson dismissed rumours he had argued with fellow over-25s contestant Olly Murs and revealed he is backing the 25-year-old to win the show.
He said: "I'm so proud of him, he is entertaining, fun, everyone loves him and he's a guy that came from nothing and I think that's just a brilliant story. And he's such a legitimate guy. I shared a room with him for the last 11 weeks and I wouldn't change it for the world. Me, him and Jamie got on so well and I'm going to miss him.
"I'm going to see him next week and I'm going to have my 'Go Olly' T-shirt and be supporting him."
The singer and songwriter revealed plans to record an album and said he hopes to continue to work with Simon Cowell.
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© Press Association