BEN MILLS, from Whitstable, was a big hit with fans and judges alike but his X-Factor dreams came to an emotional end on Saturday night when he was voted off the show.

But the long-haired marquee company boss, a former pupil at Towers School, Ashford, is refusing to be negative and is determined to continue to pursue his ambition to have a career in music.

“I’m feeling fine,” he said after the show. “It would have been nice to have got to the final but I didn’t know I was going to get this far.

“I am proud of myself and I have learnt a lot from the show and my experiences. It is a cause for celebration that I have got as far as I have rather than disappointment that I have gone out now.”

The 26-year-old, who lives in Nelson Road, Whitstable, again wowed the judges with renditions of Bryan Adams’ chart topper Everything I Do and the U2 classic I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.

He dedicated the second song to his mother, Barbara, who lives in Faversham Road, Kennington, because it is one of her favourites.

“She has always encouraged me to chase my dreams,” Ben added. “She has been incredible.”

The result means Leona Lewis and Ray Quinn will sing it out in the final.

Although the judges have publicly said they are confident Ben will end up with a record deal, he admitted he was less optimistic.

“It is too early to say,” he said. “At the moment the X-Factor machinery hasn’t slowed down to any speed that will allow me to sit back and think about what has gone on.

“I need some time to assess it all but I am certainly going to be talking to some producers.”