Lancaster man Paul Akister through to live shows of X Factor

Our Paul wowed celebrity judges, Spice Girls Melanie Brown and Emma Bunton, on Saturday night’s show as he gained a place in the final 12.

The 25-year-old moved mentor Mel B to tears as he belted out Bridge Over Troubled Water in a secluded resort at Cancun, Mexico.

Mel then admitted that Emma told her Paul was her favourite.

The former Baby Spice Girl couldn’t believe Louis Walsh sent the soul man home last year in the judge’s houses round.

Paul was told he needed to allow his personality to come through his performances. But this didn’t stop him beating rivals Jack Walton, Danny Dearden and Jordan Morris, and he hugged Mel B as he was told the news.

Now he has made it into the final 12 of the competition representing Scary Spice along with Andrea Faustini and Jake Quickenden.

Paul will perform on the first live show from the ITV studios in London, hosted by Dermot O’Leary, this Saturday October 11.

TV viewers will now have the chance to vote for Paul week-on-week to keep him in the contest.

Akister is currently fourth favourite to win this year’s X Factor.His odds on Paddy Power stand at 6/1 making him a likely act to enter the finals.

We are backing Paul Akister all the way in his dream to win this year’s X Factor.

Last week we revealed how the soul singer spent £9,000 on new teeth to improve his image for the show.