X FACTOR hopeful Giles Potter has told The Standard he feels over the moon after making the judges houses stage of the competition.
Millions of viewers will watch the 16-year-old, who lives in Norton near Worcester, perform in front of mentor Louis Walsh this weekend in the picturesque surroundings of St Tropez as he bids to make the final 12 of the hit ITV show.
A superb boot camp round performance of Jason Mraz’s famous hit ‘I Won’t Give Up’ earned the cheeky teenager a place in Walsh’s final six from the boys category.
Saturday and Sunday’s shows will see the Irish judge select his final three acts with Giles up against fellow contenders Nicholas McDonald, Paul Akister, Ryan Mathie, Luke Friend and Sam Callahan for a place in the live shows.
Advising Walsh ahead of his crucial decision will be All Saints star Nicole Appleton, former Westlife singer Shane Filan and 1980s pop star Sinitta.
And speaking to the Standard this week, Giles said he was absolutely thrilled to reach the final 24 stage of the competition.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to have made it to the judges house, it meant so much to me and is an incredible feeling to be there,” he said.
“I’ve wanted this for so long so to get to this stage means the world to me.
“To have had Gary Barlow give me praise and say great things to me has given me so much belief and confidence throughout the competition.”
Last weekend’s show saw a tearful Giles face an anxious wait on whether or not he made it through to the Judges Houses’ stage of the competition.
Giles kept his place in Louis’ top six after Walsh opted to send home 17-year-old Alejandro Fernandez following a breath-taking performance from Scottish teenager Nicholas McDonald.
The boot camp format, where contestants could dramatically lose their places despite being put through, attracted strong criticism over the weekend from celebrities including Lily Allen and John Bishop.
But Giles approved of the format. “The judges want you to go out there and fight and earn for your place in the competition, so I think it is a good way of doing that and showing you have what it takes,” he added.
“Saying that though it was extremely hard for me because I was connected with all the boys and we got on so well.”
Find out whether Giles makes it through by watching The X Factor tomorrow night (Saturday) at 8.20pm and on Sunday at 7.10pm.
