Singer Stevie Watson once beat Susan Boyle in a talent contest — but his career tanked after his false teeth kept falling out.

Stevie, 42, was considered a star in the making and defeated Susan Boyle eight years ago, when the Scottish songstress was just cutting her own singing teeth.

Watson told the Daily Record newspaper that "losing my teeth lost me any chance of a showbiz career. I think I'm a bit ugly for the X Factor in any case."

Van driver Watson, of Burnside, Glasgow, competed against SuBo, now a huge international star, in 2001 at a contest in Linlithgow, West Lothian.

He said,: "Susan Boyle sang 'Whistle Down The Wind' and 'I Don't Know How To Love Him.'

"I thought she was very good, but the judges thought I was better. I've got the trophy to prove it."

He won $1,660 after singing "Unchained Melody" and Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me."

But, in 2003, just as his career was taking off, an infection led to all his front top teeth being removed.He got false teeth.

"I tried to get used to it but it was no good. When I took them out, I could still sing fine, but couldn't stop whistling along with the tune.

"It's a bit like a one-man band."