Simon Cowell: ‘Jack Walton is one of my favourite X Factor contestants’

The 18-year-old opened the show with a performance of Paula Adbul’s Straight Up tonight (Saturday).

Speaking after his perfomance judge Louis Walsh said: “What a brilliant start to the show. I agree with Louis Tomlinson you are the real deal. You’re all about music.”

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini said: “You know what’s really lovely, you and Mel have a real connection and you get each other.”

Simon Cowell told Jack: “You’re a hard worker. I think this week was stronger than last week and you’re one of my favourite contestants.”

One Direction star Louis Tomlinson also gave Jack the backing during rehearsals this week.

Jack now faces an anxious wait to see if he has done enough to avoid elimination from the show tomorrow (Sunday) night.