KENT singer Ben Mills is under two weeks away from knowing whether he's going to win the X Factor.

But a poll for the ITV1 programme has put his main rival Leona Lewis as the clear favourite to win, perhaps leaving the rocker, from of Nelson Road, Whitstable, to fight it out for second place with Ray Quinn.

Last Saturday viewers overwhelmingly backed the pretty diva, with 45 per cent of the vote, while Ben received 30 per cent and young crooner Ray 25 per cent.

Ben, 26, is now desperate for the support of his fans to see him through to the final.

He said: “I have a very strong feeling my days are numbered. I am just trying to learn my songs the best I can because that is the only thing that will keep me here.

“I am having the time of my life on this show. I’m loving every moment. When you have been in it for this long you get hungry for the next round.”

After the previous week’s tense sing-off between Ben and boy band Eton Road he took another risk on Saturday’s show with a little-known Barry Manilow number and an unaccompanied version of Queen hit Somebody to Love.

Mentor Sharon Osbourne and the show’s vocal coaches admitted they had their doubts about it but the marquee company boss insisted he wanted to take the chance.

He said: “I think it is dangerous but we need to do something dangerous.”

Ben was boosted before his performance by messages from his family and former band-members, who gathered at the Old Neptune pub in Whitstable to wish him well.

All the judges were impressed by his rendition of Manilow’s I Made It Through The Rain, which he said was a very personal choice.

“The song sums up everything I have been going through and everything I have been feeling this week,” he said. “It does mean a lot to me.”

The rocker was joined by a gospel choir for the Queen number but no backing track or band and won a standing ovation from Sharon and fellow judge Simon Cowell after his performance.

Ben will now face Leona and Ray in the semi-final on Saturday, with just viewers’ votes standing between him and the final.