Jake Quickenden has opened up about the challenges of pursuing his dreams while raising a young family.

The 36-year-old singer's career has flourished since his time on The X Factor, with notable appearances on Dancing On Ice and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

However, in recent years, the ex-footballer has found a new passion for acting.

Currently touring with the production Rita, Sue and Bob Too! alongside stars like Jessica Ellis, Warren Donnelly, and Siobhan Phillips, Jake kicked off the show this month, with performances running through to April in Liverpool.

However, after his first performance in St. Helens, where he received a standing ovation, Jake admitted to The Mirror that touring presents its own set of challenges.

Jake revealed that it's 'hard' to be away from his two young sons, Freddie and Leo. However, he is happy that he can still see their faces everyday via FaceTime.

He said: 'It's hard. But there's so many parents who have to work away in all lines of work, and it can be tough. But we’ve got FaceTime now which is great, so we get to see their faces every day.'

Despite missing his family, Jake emphasised that his motivation stems from his desire to be a positive role model for his children.

He shared: 'I just want to be a decent role model for my kids, and if they see me working away and trying to better myself then hopefully that will rub off on them. And as hard as it is being away, it’s not forever.'