AN 18-year-old sixth-form student from Epping has made it into the next stages of the X Factor.

John Wilding, who is a student at Chigwell's West Hatch High School, almost didn't make it to bootcamp on the ITV show as he received a letter of rejection in an earlier round.

Shirley Wilding, 58, mother of the talented teen, who lives in Upper Swaines, Epping, said: "He got through auditions in London but they sent him a letter saying he hadn't made the next stage.

"He was gutted but then I got a call saying the letter was an error and would he go to the next audition in Manchester."

John, who won over the judges with his version of the Snow Patrol/Leona Lewis hit Run, applied for X Factor a couple of years ago but missed out when the competition got to the bootcamp stage.

He has also applied to Britian's Got Talent in the past.

His proud mum said: "He is determined.

"I'm not really a singer, it is just a natural talent in him.

"I have not been pushy, it is just something he wants to do. He can sing, act and dance and loves doing it.

"He can certainly hold a note and whatever happens he wants to stay in this business."

Miss Wilding said she and John have lived in Epping for about a year and before that they lived in Woodford Bridge and Wanstead.

She said: "John has always been into dance and drama at school.

"He has done choreography for productions in the past and performed in a James Bond-style production at school.

"He has been to Saturday theatre schools throughout his life and he has singing lessons on a Saturday with the Sylvia Young school."

John, one of eight remaining contestants in the boys category, will be seen on TV this weekend trying to win a place in his mentor's final three.

As part of the final selection before the live shows John flew to judge Dannii Minogue's house in Australia.