X FACTOR star Che Chesterman says he is ready for this weekend’s live shows despite battling a sore throat.

The former shelf stacker from Langdon Hills wowed the judge’s with his upbeat performance last week and says he will be slowing it down for Saturday’s show.

Che, 19, remains tight-lipped over his song choice but did reveal it will be compeltely different from last week’s mash up of Marvin Gaye’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and AMy Winehouse’s Tears Dry On Their Own, which made it into the top 100 chart on iTunes.

Che said: “I’m prepared for Saturday.

“What I can say is, it’s a slow song this week and that is my comfort zone and I think people will see me like they’ve never seen me before.

“It’s a song I can really connect with and this song is a nice soft song and is one everyone can feel. I don’t think people will believe the reinvention of it.”

The former South Essex College student has had trouble with a sore throat this week but says it will not affect his performance this weekend.

“It was a really big week last week and I was meant to have a doctors appointment but have had to cancel because of filming, I’ve been suffering a bit with my throat, I should be on voice rest,” explained Che.

“I’m ready for Saturday, I’m confident with my song and I know the ins and outs of it and I’ve just got to go out there and perform. The support has been unbelievable, just knowing I’ve got people sitting down at home and watching and voting for me.”

No longer living in Langdon Hills, Che is adjusting to life in the spotlight and in the X Factor house with the other contestants including Thurrock girl and bookies’ favourite Louisa Johnson.

“It can be quite hard, as a 19-year-old, I’m used to having my family and girlfirend around me 24/7 and to go from seeing them all the time to none of the time it’s pretty difficult but the support has been pretty lifting and the house is much better than I thought it would be,” says Che. “Everyone in every category gets on so well and there is support here.”

With his eyes on the final, Che is working hard with mentor, Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw and says viewers will get the chance to see him show off his best moves in coming weeks.

He said: “Nick’s been amazing, I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t expect him to be how he is.

“I didn’t know much about him but he’s really hands on and tries to come to every rehearsal and choergaphy session and is working hard.

“Choeregraphy has been alright, I don’t dance at all and I don’t enjoy dancing but it’s something I’ve never done before but it’s been good to try and I’m sure I will have to do it again if I get given another up-tempo number.”

And to all the readers and viewers in Essex, Che had one message: “To everyone at home, I love you all and it’s such a massive help to have that support behind me, so thank you, I’m full of love.”

The X Factor will take place on ITV1, Saturday at 8pm.