The first of this year’s X Factor semi-finalists have been revealed - including Gravesend teenager Tamera Foster.

After a rendition of Rihanna's hit Stay, judge Gary Barlow told the 16-year-old: “You could sell records all over the world.”

Saturday night’s show saw the remaining hopefuls whittled down to just 24 contestants who will now go on to the judges’ houses round of the competition.

Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, whose team she joins, said: “I could tell that you meant it up there, but you are still so young and I don't know if you are ready for this, so I have made my decision - and I'm going to take a chance cause I believe in you.”

The teenager wowed both the audience and judges in her initial solo audition with a performance of Whitney Houston’s hit I Have Nothing.

“I knew I had it down,” admits Tamera.

“I wasn’t nervous – I had been practising loads and I knew it was going to be fine. Actually, I woke up and did 20 minutes of meditation that morning and then practised more. It calmed me.”

But despite her calm, collected, confident demeanour, Tamera does reveal she was scared when it came to losing her Bootcamp seat.

“I was scared someone was going to take my place.

“I was praying the whole time I was in that chair. I know everything happens for a reason, and that’s why I’m here. I’m just glad Abi Alton – who I’m close to – got through Bootcamp with me.”

Tamera, a North West Kent College student, had been part of duo Silver Rock with Jerrie Dila, 22, but judges suggested they split and audition alone.

Jerrie did not make it through.

Tamera’s rendition garnered high praise from judges Gary Barlow, Sharon Osbourne Scherzinger and Louis Walsh, with Barlow telling Tamera she was not perfect but she had “potential beyond belief” and Walsh calling her “incredible”.