A SINGER from Basildon has made it through with her group to the live X Factor final shows.

Charley Bird, 23, from Langdon Hills, was chosen as part of her group, Two Shoes, with her friend Lucy Texeria by judge and N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos in Greece.

Meanwhile at home, teachers and pupils at her former school are cheering on Charley as she made it to the live finals

Charley impressed teachers and fellow pupils at Lee Chapel Primary School, in The Knares, Basildon, from an early age.

She starred as Nancy in a school production of Oliver and was always up for a song and dance.

Lynda Tucker, a deputy headteacher at the school who taught Charley, said she was a quiet child who learnt to love the limelight.

She said: “Charley wowed everyone when she played Nancy and she came alive when she was on stage.

“I was thrilled when I heard Charley was on the show. She will do really well and we are all behind her at the school. We will all be watching this weekend.

“She has come back to the school to perform since she left. She has shown such determination to get where she is now.

“I also taught Charley’s sister Danielle. Both are lovely singers.”

Charley, from Langdon Hills, has been singing since the age of ten and has performed at weddings and events across the county.

Her big break has come after teaming up with Lucy Texeria, 22, from Brentwood, to form the group.

If the duo are now in the running to record the Christmas number one single and seal a record contract.

As well as battling for a place in the show, Charley is also having to deal with the fact she is four months pregnant and will be eight months along if she gets into the latter stages.

Mrs Tucker added: “Charley is a confident girl and she will take her pregnancy in her stride as she takes part in the show.

“I am really proud of her and having known her for so long it’s great to see her living her dream.”