Joseph Whelan, a 26-year-old tool salesman from Wolverhampton, gave the X Factor Global stage a performance they’ll never forget. With tattoos, charm, and a voice that could shake the walls, Joseph delivered a jaw-dropping rendition of Led Zeppelin’s classic “Whole Lotta Love” that had the crowd roaring. Before he even sang a single note, the ladies in the audience were going wild, and the judges could barely hear themselves over the loud cheers and catcalls.
But Joseph wasn’t just there to look good—he came to rock. Tackling a song as iconic as “Whole Lotta Love” is no easy feat, especially with Robert Plant’s legendary vocals, but Joseph absolutely nailed it. His voice had just the right amount of grit and power, with a touch of smoothness that made his performance unforgettable.
When he let out that scream heading into the chorus, it felt like the entire roof of the arena was going to blow off. The judges exchanged excited glances, clearly impressed, and the crowd was on fire. His audition has since become one of the most popular videos on the X Factor Global channel, racking up an incredible 50 million views.
Hailing from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, Joseph wasn’t just chasing a dream for himself—he was doing it for his four-year-old son, Kian. He proudly brought his son along to the audition, calling him the “light of my life.” With a smile, he said, “There’s so much riding on this for me—not just for myself because I want to be a musician, but I really want to make my son proud and make him happy. I hope he’s proud of his daddy.”
Before stepping into the spotlight, Joseph explained to the judges, “I’ve been playing in bands for about ten years now and wanted to try something on my own.” The crowd melted when he spoke about his son, adding, “I want to do the best I can for him and give him the best life I can.” Clearly, this audition wasn’t just about music—it was about family, love, and a dream.
Joseph’s performance wasn’t his first big moment, either. On his X Factor UK audition, he showed off a different side of his talent with an acoustic version of Bon Jovi’s “Always,” where he also played guitar. His versatility as a musician and his ability to connect with the audience made him stand out.
When he wrapped up his electrifying rendition of “Whole Lotta Love,” judge Tulisa silently mouthed “wow,” clearly blown away. Once the thunderous applause settled down, she shared her thoughts: “Joseph, oh my God, what a voice, what a tone you have.” Then, with a cheeky grin, she teased fellow judge Gary Barlow, saying, “Gary’s gonna start getting jealous because you’re gonna be stealing all the female attention.”
Next up, Louis Walsh chimed in: “That was a brilliant audition. You’ve got an amazing talent—you’ve got an authentic rock voice.” Gary Barlow couldn’t help but note the contrast between Joseph’s calm, humble demeanor and his powerhouse vocals. He said, “That was absolutely awesome. What a great voice—I really enjoyed that.” With all the praise pouring in, it was no surprise when Joseph walked away with four emphatic “yes” votes from the judges.
As if the crowd wasn’t already swooning enough, the moment went to another level when young Kian ran onstage to give his dad a big hug. The little boy’s proud smile melted hearts all around, and the audience erupted in applause. It was a touching end to an already unforgettable audition.
If you can’t get enough of Joseph Whelan, you can find more of his music on his YouTube channel or follow him on Instagram. What did you think of his audition? Let us know in the comments below!
