X Factor 3 Preview - The MacDonald Brothers

The MacDonald Brothers
Manager – Louis Walsh
Odds – 80/1 (Outright), 8/1 (Group Winners)

The MacDonald Brothers, Craig at 20 and Brian at 19, are bound to draw comparison from Journey South of last series, but unlike the band that finished in third place, the MacDonald Brothers are up against it early on.

The duo from Ayr in Scotland are rank outsiders to win both the X Factor outright and to do the best out of their group. Their performance on the first live show of 'Three Times a Lady' was not met with much enthusiasm by the judges but they escaped finishing in the dreaded bottom two on the night.

The brothers live with their parents and have a half brother from their father's previous relationship. Their father is one of their biggest influences and taught the boys how to sing and perform. He performed in a band in the past although their mother is not musical at all.

The MacDonald Brothers have sang and played the accordion and fiddle together since they were young children and performed at a school talent contest competition in a Queen tribute band called Cobra. It was then they realised that singing was their passion.

They have taken performing seriously for the past three years, singing at clubs, weddings and some backing vocals work and one of their biggest performances as The MacDonald Brothers was in front of Hugh Grant at the Ceilidh Dance.

Brian lists his musical influences as Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Metallica while Craig names Elton John, George Michael, Muse and the Scissor Sisters. Craig's favourite song is Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' while Brian names 'By The Way' by The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

The boys are grateful to reach the final 12 of the X Factor and reflected on some of the less enjoyable jobs they have endured in the past. Craig took a year out because Brian was a year below him at school and rather than go to university at Prestwick Academy immediately, he worked at the Royal Bank of Scotland. However, he names the worst job he had was in an ice cream parlour in Ayr.

Brian's worst experience in the world of work was as an administrator which saw him stare at a computer screen from 9 to 5 with no opportunities for progression or do anything different.

Should they beat the bookmakers odds and progress in the competition, their ambition is to buy a Lotus, which they describe as the car of their dreams.