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When Jonathan Trotman took his wife Beverley to Cardiff for the X-Factor auditions earlier this year, little did he know how far she'd get.

Beverley Trotman

But this week she, and her huge voice which he calls "a god given talent", survived to make the last six in the ITV talent competition.

"We went all the way to Wales for the first auditions, to make a day of it, queuing behind hundreds of other people on a rainy day, and this is how far she's got" Jonathan told the BBC Three Counties Breakfast programme.

Proud

And while he is very proud of Beverley, who is a teacher at Icknield Primary School in Luton, he admitted that it's very hard being without her.

"I've had no wife for five weeks" he explained.

"They are not actually allowed out of the area where they are in in London. I just see her on Saturday's after the show for about an hour basically. That's the only time me and the kids can get to see her properly and sit down and have a chat.

"It's very difficult" he added.

"In the first two weeks they were able to sneak out a little bit and she popped home twice but they can't do that now. They have a very busy schedule so we
don't really get to see her."

Real

However, while Jonathan and their children, Tianna, 12, and Luke, 10, don't get to see her in the flesh very often, the millions of X-Factor viewers are getting to know her, and her husband says that what you are seeing on the show, is the real Beverley.

"She is being herself" he said, "she's a great person, a fantastic person. We've been married 14 years and the person people are beginning to see is the lady that I know!"

He also explained that while communal living in the X-Factor house may not be everyone's idea of fun, Beverley and the rest of the remaining finalists are getting on fine!

"It's a bit like Big brother meets Fame Academy" he explained.

"They're all together, there's a lot of pressure and at this stage everyone knows that there's a lot at stake as there are fewer of them, but at the same time it's fun.

"They're getting to know each other and will probably be friends for life! They do get on because they all appreciate where they are at. They all know it's a wonderful opportunity and what could happen to them and the way it could change their lives." 

Winner

Beverley, whose nephew is West Brom footballer Leon Barnett, has been singing around Luton for many years. She has lived in the town since the age of four and has sung in many choirs and gospel choirs such as the school choir and the Luton Schools Gospel Choir. But Jonathan is certain that however far she gets in the competition, or whatever follows it, she is already a winner.

"It doesn't matter what happens [next]" said Jonathan.

"I think she's already won as far as I'm concerned. We could never imagine that she would get this far. We just thought let's go and have a bit of fun.

"Everyone asks me constantly what is she going to do afterwards but I honestly don't know - I have no idea but we shall see!"

And whatever she does, her husband hopes to be able to see her more than once a week!

"Absolutely" he laughed, "I miss my wife, I miss my gorgeous wife!"