Jack Mason has become a favourite on The X Factor 2017 after his Bootcamp performance earned him a standing ovation.
With 124 acts succeeding in the room auditions, it was inevitable that not all of them would be shown on TV.
But it seems remarkable that tonight’s episode was the first we saw of Jack, as going by the reaction he received at Bootcamp, he’s one to watch in the competition.
The 18-year-old said he was “really shocked” after Sharon Osbourne complimented his “beautiful voice” at his prior try-out.
“I struggle with confidence, and no-one’s ever said that or felt that way about me before,” he explained. “I feel like I do have to work a lot harder to impress the judges this time.”
Jack has worked in a call centre and as a labourer, but added: “I just want to be a performer, I just want to be on stage for the rest of my life.”
Having made it past the ‘Wall of Songs’ Bootcamp challenge, Jack – who is a popular busker in his home town of Aldershot – took to the stage at Wembley again for his arena audition.
Opting to sing James Brown’s ‘It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World’, he claimed: “I just feel like if any song’s gonna help me get to where I wanna be, then it’s this one.”
His feeling proved correct when, after showing off his powerful vocals, he was met with a standing ovation – from the judges as well as the 4,000-strong audience.
During the panel’s discussions, Simon Cowell said: “The public are going to root for him and love him. He’s done well. He came alive on the big stage.”
Nicole Scherzinger then delivered the verdict, informing a jubilant Jack that he’d be going through to the Six Chair Challenge.
Speaking to host Dermot O’Leary backstage, he reacted: “I can’t put it in to words, it’s the most crazy feeling I’ve had in my life.”
The X Factor continues next Saturday at 8.15pm on ITV.