X FACTOR hopeful Che Chesterman has undergone a makeover as he prepares to battle for his place in the live finals.

The 19-year-old, from Laindon, has been transformed from a supermarket shelf stacker to a confident pop star.

He is preparing to take on the latest stage of the competition at mentor Nick Grimshaw's house this weekend, but is not yet sure if he and the other boys will be travelling to rainy Manchester or glamorous Paris.

Soul singer Che, who has been hitting the gym, had his hair restyled, and bought a wardrobe full of new clothes, believes he has what it takes to go all the way to the end of the ITV competition.

He said: "I feel great. I'm focused and I'm as prepared as I can be. I think the nerves have gone out of the window now.

"You feel the pressure a bit more when you're just singing to a judge, but we've already had experience of that at bootcamp.

"Personally image and appearance isn't something that bothers me, but to an audience it is importance, so I thought I should make an effort."

Che, who used to work at Tesco, in Langdon Hills, is enjoying his new found fame, and admits he has been surprised by just how many people recognise him in the street.

He said: "It's scary how much my life has changed in such a short space of time.

"I didn't realise how much of a platform X Factor is, and how many people watch it. The future is looking really positive for me, whatever happens.

"My family are so proud and the support I have had from strangers has been amazing."

Music mogul Simon Cowell previously said Che has “no personality", so the former Woodlands School pupil is determined to put some more energy into his next performance- although he is keeping tight lipped about his song choice.

He added: "I think I've always had it there, but in the first few auditions my songs were all quite slow. I will have to do something a bit different at judge's houses."

The judges houses section of the show which is being filmed this weekend is being shown on October 24 and 25. Live shows start a week later.

Louisa Johnson, 17, from South Ockendon is current favourite to win the show, with Che third favourite.