Accrington starlet Reece Bibby has taken another step towards chart success after being chosen to join an eight-piece X Factor boyband.
The 15-year-old has joined the largest group ever assembled for the singing reality TV show, although as yet they do not have a name.
Judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Mel B and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini gave a lifeline to singers who had impressed them but had not made it as performers in their own right.
Reece, who is one of the youngest in the group, appeared as part of the boyband on the last boot camp episode before judges' houses on Saturday night.
Judge Simon Cowell told them: “When we saw you as eight people, this is no word of a lie, every single one of us said ‘none of this band can leave’.
“This is something different. It’s nice to do something different.”
Reece’s dad Jamie said he’s been enjoying his time on the show.
He said: “He’s been brilliant and he’s loving every second of it.
“He’s got on so well with the other lads in the group, the judges gave them some time to gel and I think that’s why they decided to keep them as an eight.
“Some of the other guys in the group are really talented musicians and write their own music.”
Jamie said Reece has coped well with the attention that being on the show has brought.
He said: “Nothing seems to faze him, he’s got over 22,000 followers on Twitter now, but he’s got a really good attitude.
“Reece has always wanted to be a singer, ever since he was a kid.”
