SOUTH Essex residents are being urged to get behind "cheeky chappy" Che Chesterman as he battles it out in this weekend's X Factor final.
The 19 year-old, who counts Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross as his musical influences, began singing at a young age.
His impressive voice saw him regularly take centre stage when he was a pupil at Woodlands School, in Woodlands Approach, Basildon.
Nicky Wright, assistant head of year, said Che is proof that dreams can come true with lots of hard work and determination.
She said: "The school is really proud of him. From Year 7 until Year 11 he would always perform in our end of term assemblies. We're really rooting for him.
"He always used to say in a few years time you're going to see me on X Factor. We always supported his dream.
"He was a cheeky chappy at school, he always had a smile on his face and he was always singing."
Che, from Laindon, was treated to a hero's welcome when he returned to his home town to meet fans this week, alongside mentor Nick Grimshaw.
His battle bus stopped off at his former school, where he treated staff and pupils to a performance of Would I Lie To You.
Mrs Wright added: "The pupils absolutely loved it, they were so excited. Everyone at Woodlands is behind him."
Che met girlfriend Megan Hanley, 18, from Benfleet, when they were both pupils at South Essex College.
She plans to buy a house with Che, who has been staying in the X Factor house in London, when he returns home.
Megan said: "This is everything he's ever worked towards. There has never been anything else he's wanted to do. He's sung from such a young age.
"I'm looking forward to him coming home and seeing what other things we've got to look forward to."
Megan, who joined Che on his battle bus when it toured Basildon, is also a keen singer.
She added: "I would love to do what Che is doing. There is a one in a million chance of achieving a dream like this, and this experience has shown me just how much hard work is involved.
"The tour was so exciting. I didn't realise how much support Che had in Basildon, he can't even walk out of the front door now without being recognised by a fan."
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