[Red Moon]

EX FACTOR LEFT ME SINGLE MUM AT 16

X FACTOR beauty Charlie Mole's dreams of success were dashed at just 16—when she got pregnant and was left holding the baby.

But last night her proud mother revealed how the singer has conquered years of heartache to wow millions of fans and judge Simon Cowell with her sexy performances in all-girl group Hope.

Mum Lesley said: "Charlie's gone through so much in her short life. When she got pregnant she thought it was the end of her world."

Lesley detailed how Charlie was distraught when her boyfriend Kirk Gorringe split just months after their son Jack, now five, was born.

And now the Sunderland lass is on the brink of stardom her family are livid her ex is trying to cash in—touting stories about her.

Angry mum Lesley added: "I always knew what Kirk was like. He couldn't handle the responsibility of being a dad.

"Later on he was given access to Jack and he and his mother were welcomed into my home every Saturday. But again Kirk couldn't hack it.

"He disappeared for six months and fled the country. Then we never heard from him until last year when he got some access again. But now he's trying to sell stories about Charlie. We knew when she decided to do X Factor that he'd come out of the woodwork. It's unforgivable.

"Because of what he did Charlie ended up with very low self-esteem. But she got through it and went to college to study beauty therapy. The X Factor journey is part of her recovery and feeling that she's really worth something."

Charlie, 23, has also found new love—with fiancé Lee Daglish, a special needs carer.

"It's a real story of triumph over tragedy," said Lesley.

Charlie said: "Now I'm living the dream. It's been an emotional roller coaster. But I love to sing and this is a fantastic opportunity."

Ex-lover Kirk's sister Kimberley insisted he had not abandoned his son Jack. He did what he could for Jack financially and in other ways, but it's just ended up as it is," she said.

"Our mum looked after Jack too while Charlie was at college and so she could go out at weekends. Now we're rooting for her and wish her only success."

TYCOON Sir Richard Branson has launched a massive internet campaign to support X Factor finalist Alisha Bennett, a receptionist at his Virgin Active gym in Hendon, London.

Source: News of the World