Gravesend singer Tamera Foster shone in the Caribbean as she made it through to the final stages of the X Factor.

Tamera, 16, impressed judge Nicole Scherzinger to take up one of the three spots available in the girls’ category in the ITV talent show.

She will now take part in the live shows in front of a studio audience in London.

The teenager from Gravesend sang Fallin' by Alicia Keys for judge Nicole and guest judge Mary J Blige at a plush beach-side location in Antigua.

It has been a turbulent journey for Tamera with controversy surrounding Twitter posts about smoking cannabis and accusations of bullying, as well as nerves almost ruining her first solo audition on the show.

The youngster forgot the lyrics to the Whitney Houston hit ‘I Have Nothing’ only to be reminded back stage by friends, family and show host Dermot O’Leary.

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.

Accompanied only by a pianist, there was nowhere to hide for Tamera and it looked like she may face the chop when Nicole sent her away to have more time to mull over her decision.

Nicole admitted she had not “connected” with the young singer yet. The former Pussycat Doll said: “I think you sounded amazing. You’ve got the range, the range is there, you’ve got the look but if I'm honest with you, Tamera, I haven’t made my decision yet with you.”

After an emotional and tense wait, Nicole put the youngster through.

She said: “Talking with you now really helped me because I felt you were honest with me and that’s all I ever want. You’ve got to work hard for me though, okay.”

The other girls joining Tamera in the live shows in London are Abi Alton and Hannah Barrett.

Another singer from Kent is also through to the final rounds. Maidstone lad Josh Zare is set to perform in the live shows after his band Kingsland Road sailed through the latest stage of the show.