X FACTOR hopeful Cher Lloyd has made it through bootcamp after an impressive performance in front of judges Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh.

The 17-year-old, from Malvern Link, was among 108 contestants at bootcamp who had to sing and dance for the pair as well as guest judge Nicole Scher-zinger, from the group Pussycat Dolls. Cher performed a unique version of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida to which she had added a rap she had written herself.

Cowell described her performance as “all over the place” but Scher-zinger said the youngster “made it her own”.

Despite the doubts, including those of Cher herself, she made it through to the next stage – the last 32 – which is held at the judges’ houses.

Viewers of Saturday’s show saw an emotional Cher tell presenter Dermot O’Leary: “I didn’t know I wanted it this bad.” She also took part in a dance challenge, introduced for the first time at bootcamp.

The former pupil of Dyson Perrins High School in Malvern, who lives in the town with her family, was one of the first tipped to win the competition and she is gaining support across the country for her unique style.

But it is not the first time Cher, one of the most talked-about contestants so far on this series of X Factor, has impressed an audience.

Earlier this year she came second behind Ellice Chidlow, of Here-ford, in the X Factor-inspired Text Factor contest held at Sin Bar, Worcester.

In 2008 she was named best solo female at Worcestershire’s Pop Idols competition and in 2007 she won a high school talent contest.