A SERVING soldier and X Factor star, who has just returned from Afghanistan, has announced plans to record his debut album.

Since leaving the series in the first “live shows” last October, Jonjo Kerr has been a guest vocalist on the number one Military Wives album, In My Dreams, and has served in Helmand.

Jonjo, who was born and raised in Chorley, has just returned from his tour of duty as a private in Corunna Company 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.

The former Albany High School student, 28, joined the Army in 2009 and has two sons, seven-year-old Bradley, and Dominic, 15 months, with wife Melissa.

He is now scheduled to go into the studio to record his debut album.

Jonjo’s manager, Dean Maynard, said: “He’s getting back into his music career and he’s excited that Grammy and Ivor Novello award winner Eliot Kennedy is going to produce the album.

“It will have a release date set for next spring.

“Kennedy built up his own reputation while working as songwriter and producer for some of the world’s biggest acts, such as the Spice Girls, Take That and Bryan Adams.”

Dean also said the producer had told him that ‘Summer of 69’ artist Adams had shown interest in writing some songs for Jonjo.

“This is a huge but deserved honour for Jonjo and now he is home, it really is just the start of big things to come,” he added. Jonjo became a household name following his appearance on the X Factor in 2011.

After a nervous first audition, he eventually made it on to the live shows.

Along with the other finalists, he had his first number one success, with their version of Wishing on a Star.

Before leaving for Afghanistan, Jonjo was given the honour of switching on Chorley’s Christmas lights display.