There may not be the screaming hordes and flashing camera bulbs of a few years back, but ask former X Factor star Ben Mills whether he is happy with his lot and the answer is a resounding yes.

Now making music on his own terms, and slipping into Sutton for a special charity gig at the Secombe Theatre this week, Mills has refound his feet after a spell in the doldrums.

And the 29-year-old could not be happier.

Mills explains: “Sometimes you have to be forgotten by people in order to be able to relaunch yourself.

“I’m doing what I want, and how I want and it is great to have that freedom.

“After the X Factor for a lot of people I was just ‘that guy off the TV’ and they wanted a few songs and then three hours of photographs.

“But now it is all about the music again - it is like going back to my roots in a way.”

Mills finished third in the 2006 series won by Leona Lewis, and went on to have a debut album launched in March 2007 that shifted over 130,000 copies.

But that star faded, and the Kent-based singer-songwriter is back to what he does best.

Despite the chastening experience, Mills insists he would not have changed anything.

He adds: “I have no regrets about doing the X Factor - none whatsoever.

“I went from being a pub singer to being shot into the world of fame.

“But it did mess my head up a bit - suddenly I had no control whatsoever over what I was doing.

“I was told where to be, what to wear and what to sing and it has taken me three years to find myself again.”

Mills will be in Sutton with his big band for a night of quality music designed to raise funds and awareness for the Great Wall of China Trek Challenge, aiding Shooting Stars Children’s Hospice and the Alzheimers Society among others.

And the singer reveals he has a vested interest in joining the project.

He concludes: “My crazy aunt is one of the people who will be travelling to China for the trek.

“It is a really big deal and they are trying to raise £3,000 for each of the charities.

“She contacted me to see if I could help and I am more than happy to.

“The Secombe Theatre seems a really nice venue and if I can give people a good night and raise money then that is fantastic.”

Ben Mills Band, Secombe Theatre, Sutton, November 13, 7.45pm, £18, 0208 770 6990