The X Factor has brought us a LOT of eye candy over the years, hasn’t it?

From Olly Murs to each and every single one of the One Direction boys, Simon Cowell’s show has plucked talented singers out of obscurity and dropped them into our laps.

But some of our beloved contestants have since gone under the radar.

Like, say, Aiden Grimshaw.

The baby-faced contestant rocked our worlds when he sang his moody rendition of Mad World during the live shows.

But, despite his grown up vocals, we couldn’t help but see him as too much of a cutie-pie to lust over.

Nowadays, however, things are VERY different - and it seems as if a comeback is in order.

Yup, while Aiden finished ninth in the X Factor 2010 (sob), he went on to find success in the music world all by himself.

He’s been signed up by RCA Records and, back in 2012, released his debut single ‘Is This Love?’ to critical acclaim.

And his debut album Misty Eye was also well received, rushing up to claim the 19th spot on the UK Album Charts.

Nowadays he’s still recording music in the studio (even hanging out with fellow X Factor star Matt Cardle).

And he’s got a brand-new look to go with his brand-new sound.

Check it out:

Yup, we told you so.

His new rugged look has transformed him into some seriously hot stuff, hasn’t it?

Fancy listening to his new music?

We’re #GivingItUp for Aiden over this baller of a tune!

Even more exciting than all of this, though, is the fact that the 24-year-old is planning to drop ANOTHER new track on fans.

And a member of his team confirmed last year that he and former X Factor pal Zayn Malik were in talks to release music together, so watch this space!

What do you think of X Factor’s Aiden Grimshaw nowadays?

Let us know via Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) now.

You may also wish to read:

X Factor: The best and most shocking contestant transformations