X Factor finalist Fleur East performed to hundreds of friends, family and fans at a packed Walthamstow Assembly Hall yesterday during a homecoming tour.

After returning to her Rosslyn Road home yesterday, the 27-year-old was joined by mentor Simon Cowell on a bus tour, culminating in the show in the afternoon.

Earlier the bookies favourite to win the competition had told the Guardian of her pride in her Waltham Forest roots.

There were cheers from the crowd, including pupils from Miss East’s former school, Holy Family, as she arrived to sign autographs and pose for pictures.

Posters calling for people to vote for her have been put up across the borough  and those who know her best said she has what it takes to win.

Proud father, Malcolm East, said: “I remember Fleur singing in the back of the family car when she was just two-years-old.”

She had kept her involvement in the show secret from her family, with the exception of her sister Keshia.

Describing the moment he found out, Mr East said: “It was 2am when I got the call and it was Fleur saying she was in LA at Simon Cowell’s house and he had just put her through to the live shows.

“It was a complete shock. We didn’t have any idea about it until then.

“It was great to hear, she is very talented and it is fantastic she is in the competition.

She had earlier told the Guardian how she was inspired by youth project Ladders at George Mitchell School in Leyton.  

Ladders founder, Stella East, said: “She has always been a star.

“Even as a school girl she helped other write songs, she really inspired others.

“She was a marvellous girl, so talented and still so modest.

“We are all supporting her at Ladders. I’ve been watching the shows - I think she can definitely win.

“I hope she will come back and perform for us one day.”

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy said the whole community is supporting Miss East.

She said: “Everyone in Walthamstow is rooting for Fleur. She is the talk of the town and is just such an amazing talent.

“I know there is so much more in this borough and I am hoping Fleur is going to give a platform to the other young people. Every time I go to schools I meet young people – I think wow.

“We just need that platform and this is what the X Factor has given us.”

The X Factor final takes place this weekend.