A Bermudian who has been singing since he was five-years-old sets out next week to pursue his lifelong dream.Ryan Bean, 29, of Southampton was told recently that he will be the first ever Bermudian to make it through auditions for The X Factor; a popular British television music competition similar to American Idol and the latest singing show The Voice.Mr Bean and his wife Edonna are set to leave for London next Wednesday, with the next round of auditions taking place at 7am on Friday, April 13. If he makes it through, Mr Bean will have to sing again later that same day.In an interview with The Royal Gazette Mr Bean said: “I’ve always wanted to be a part of it but I never knew how, I couldn’t enter American Idol because I’m not American. But because I’m Bermudian that qualifies me as British.“Something told me to just go online and when I found out I could enter I made contact with Jonathan Rogers of Summit Video, and he jumped right on it. I applied online and attached my video application, and I said to myself this is the beginning of my destiny.”That was in December and it wasn’t until last week that he received a response. “On the subject line the e-mail said X Factor audition details, my heart skipped a beat, I lost my breath and nearly fell off my seat.”Now he’s bound for Emirates Stadium in London to compete in the ninth season of the competition created by Simon Cowell in 2004 to showcase aspiring singers drawn from countless public auditions.When asked how it feels to make it past thousands of competitors he said: “I am one blessed individual, I feel privileged. It feels like holding on to my mustard seed of faith that God’s going to work in my life, it’s just an awesome feeling.”An elated Mrs Bean added: “They said to make our travel plans flexible, we’re scheduled to return on the 16th but if he goes to the next round who knows, even though I will have to return home.“I believe he’s already a winner and moving forward this just adds to what already exists; it’s a pure bonus. I also think it’s a privilege and honour that he’s not only representing himself as an individual but also Bermuda.“He is literally taking Bermuda to the UK and I think recognition should definitely be noted with the Department of Tourism and Government because of this.”On that note Mr Bean said: “As far as I know I’m the first and only Bermudian to get through the auditions, I have no clue if others have applied before, all I know is I made it through.”The top prize is a major recording contract and international recognition by appearing on the show.“We have to foot our own bill and things are hard right now, but there is no price on dreams.” Mrs Bean said: “The airline tickets plus the hotel will run us close to $3,000, and there’s only six seats left on the flight so we have to book it tonight.”But for Mr Bean the sky is the limit, his singing roots lie firmly in the church, and he hails from humble beginnings.When asked by The Royal Gazette what this recent accomplishment really means he said: “ If you stick to it and don’t let go of your dreams, things will happen for you. Honestly I hope this will get me through to minister through music to make sure I encourage the next person to hold on to their dreams.“Its also important to make sure you know who put you there because God is in control. I feel that my patience and faith have paid off.“I’ve had songs on the radio, I’ve done a music video and I felt that was experience but on a small scale. Ultimately you want to be respected for the positive not the negative, I have kept my mind focused on that because its important to have meaning to what you say and do; and sing.“You don’t always have to go with what sells in the music industry, and its important not to sell out. I just feel really privileged to get through and I want to win.”The ninth season of the UK version of The X Factor runs from September through to December. There have been 66 winners of The X Factor worldwide as of January 2012.