British gospel singer and The X Factor star Jahmene Douglas is enjoying a two-week break on the Island — and is looking for a true Bermudian experience.

The 23-year-old musician, who came second in the TV contest in 2012, has been staying at Rosewood Tucker’s Point since Friday. Mr Douglas — whose debut album Love Never Fails featured Stevie Wonder and Nicole Scherzinger and hit number one in the UK charts in 2013 — told The Royal Gazette he wanted to “see the real Bermuda”.

“I would like to see the real Bermuda, see how people live and hear how they speak,” he said.

“I’d also like to try some real Bermudian food.

“I’ve been down to the Crystal Caves and had one of the best guides I have ever had.

“He was called Ron and had the perfect balance of information and humour. You could tell he’s been doing it for a few years.

“You are always by the water in Bermuda, that’s the amazing thing about this place.

“I’m planning to go to the aquarium and maybe try Horseshoe if it gets sunnier. I was hoping to get a tan for the pictures for my second album but I might have to get a fake.”

Mr Douglas said he loved the sense of community in Bermuda.

“Bermudians are very talkative and know everyone and talk to everyone. It’s nice to be in a community like that.

“In England, community is lacking and people don’t know their neighbours anymore. I’ve already been recommending it to my friends.”

Mr Douglas decided to come to Bermuda to enjoy a relaxing break before recording his second album this summer, but he was happy to show off his vocal talents at the New Testament Church of God in Hamilton at the weekend.

He sang You Deserve the Glory along with the choir during the unexpected performance .

As an ambassador for Women’s Aid against domestic violence, he also plans to speak to young people at the church about the problem. Mr Douglas and his mother were both victims of domestic violence before his father was sent to prison.

“Within keeping to Valentine’s Day that just passed, I will talk about self-worth and love — the real definition of it,” he said.

“I went straight from witness protection to TV [The X Factor]. The police advised me not to do it but I thought, my father had left and gone to prison and I didn’t want him to control my life after he had left. “I wanted to get on with it and stop living in fear.”

Mr Douglas wowed the judging panel on The X Factor, with Louis Walsh declaring that “a star is born” after he sang Etta James’ hit At Last.

Songwriting legend Diana Warren has written several tracks for his second album and he has co-written some of the songs.

Asked about his upcoming work, he said: “I’m trying to go against the mainstream and just do what’s best for me but it’s coming back anyway with the new funk and soul and everything — you have Bruno Mars and Pharrell doing their tunes.

“I am trying to bring back the Whitney-type ballad.”