Brother will take X Factor by Storm

And while Simon Cowell may not be overly-convinced by his moniker, Storm Lee Gardner's family always knew he was destined for sunnier climes.

Storm, or Lee as he used to be known - is an ex-Evening News delivery boy who moved to LA when he was 16 to pursue his dream as a professional singer. He is now a top tip for stardom after impressing the judges with his audition for the hit ITV show.

Today, the 37-year-old's older brother revealed how it had been clear from an early age that he had star quality.

His brother Garry Gardner proudly showed the Evening News pictures of the pair - who speak or text every day - playing football in Princes Street Gardens and clowning around at Drummond Community High School.

Garry, who was born with only one arm, said his brother had been an inspiration to him as he battled to overcome his disability.

Garry, a mature student from Sighthill, recalled how he knew Storm would "make it" and hailed the upcoming star as his hero.

He said: "It is all he has ever wanted to do and he has been singing constantly since I was little. I remember he used to try and sing for me, but I would walk away because I found it boring.

"My most vivid memory is of us going down to the Hibs Club on Easter Road to see the live bands on Sunday afternoon. There would always be an open mic competition and one week Storm got up to sing Flower of Scotland and the crowd went mad. The prize for the best singer was a box of Malteasers. Storm won the chocolates every week for a month."

Garry has taken up golf and recently came fourth out of 35 in a competition held by the Scottish Disability Golf Partnership and has now been accepted on The European Institute of Golf Course Design.

"He's my hero. My wee brother is always someone I've looked up to. He's got courage, he always stands up for the underdog, and he's confident without being big-headed. He also always had the ladies chasing him."

Storm who received a unanimous nod from the X Factor judges for his rendition of U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - despite Cowell ridiculing his name - was brought up by his brother and father, Robert, in St Mary's Street after his mother left when he was only four.

Garry explained that Storm's family life been "difficult" and "complicated". He said: "I don't really want to say much about that. Storm isn't after the sympathy vote. We were fine and we looked after each other. We didn't have much money, but my dad worked hard as a welder and we got by."

Talking of his performance on the show, he added: "Me, my daughter and my dad all watched Storm's audition and, apart from Simon (Cowell] being an idiot when it came to his name, we think it went amazingly."I know he is now in LA but we would really like the backing of the Scottish public. You'd be pushed to beat a person who is more patriotic than my brother, and we're hoping he'll come back to the Capital when X Factor is all tied up."