X FACTOR hopeful Che Chesterman has been inundated with messages of support from fans around the world as he prepares for his first live show.

Mentor Nick Grimshaw announced on live TV that the 19-year-old, from Laindon, had done enough to bag a spot in his final three.

Che, who will represent the boys’ category alongside Seann Miley Moore and Mason Noise, will now compete in the live finals in a bid to become the 2015 winner of the talent show.

For the past year, Che has been managed by Lewis Simmons and Tony Roberts from Essex-based entertainment agency Actz.

Mr Simmons, from Basildon, is confident soul singer Che has what it takes to go all the way.

Mr Simmons said: “Che’s family and friends are so happy, they are so proud of him.

“Che is only a young lad, and this has taken a lot of hard work.

“He’s enjoying the X Factor journey so much. The most overwhelming thing for him has been the support.

“He’s had people from all over the world, including Brazil and the Philippines, sending him messages.

“We’ve had faith in Che from the start. We knew there was something special about him.

“We looked into different options for his career, and X Factor was something we all wanted to do.

“We believe there is a gap in the market that he could fit into.”

Che, a former shelf stacker at Tesco, in Langdon Hills, counts Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross as his musical heroes.

In his judges’ houses audition, which aired this weekend, he performed a rendition of the Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville duet Don’t Know Much, which was his parents’ wedding song.

Che, a former pupil at Woodlands School, in Basildon, is third favourite to take the crown in the ITV contest, with bookies William Hill offering odds of 5/1.

Louisa Johnson, 17, from Chafford Hundred, is ranked favourite, at 9/4.

The first live show is due to be screened from 8pm on Saturday.