X FACTOR’S Lauren Platt paid a visit to Little Havens Hospice.

The 17-year-old took time off from rehearsing for the hit ITV show to visit her cousin Laurel Parker, 18.

Laurel has been visiting Little Havens Hospice, in Thundersley, for respite for several years and was over the moon to see Lauren there.

Laurel’s mum, Cara Parker, said: “We are all very excited for Lauren and how well she is doing on the X Factor.

“She wanted to come back and see Laurel so it was really special that we were all able to catch up at Little Havens and tell her how proud we are of her.

The support she has received has been brilliant and we hope she makes it to the final.”

Lauren has been wowing the judges on the X Factor with her performances and film crews have been seen in Billericay.

The former Billericay School pupil was seen walking the red carpet at the Hunger Games premiere earlier this week before visiting her family.