Youngsters had an unexpected visitor when an X Factor contestant returned to his old school to play a few songs.

Pupils at Peel Park Primary School were delighghted by the visit of old boy and singing starlet Reece Bibby.

Reece, 15, wowed judges when he appeared before the judging panel on the first night of the series.

Headteacher Mrs Williams said: “We were delighted to welcome Reece back to Peel Park.

“He was a wonderful pupil during his time here and we are so proud to hear about his success so far. We are willing him to do well in the next stage of the X Factor and will be following his journey with great excitement and interest.”

Some of Reece’s former teachers remembered him as a pupil.

Mrs Burns, who taught him in Year Three, said: “He was always smiling and enthusiastic, he was a pleasure to teach and I feel very proud to have taught him.”

Miss Whittaker taught him in Year 6 and said:“I remember the blond curls, the smiles, the ‘cheeky chappy’ cheekiness and the bongos. I’m so very proud of him.”

Fans are still waiting to find out how far the former Hollins High pupil wil progress in the X Factor competition.

Reece, from Accrington, impressed judges with his acoustic version of the Disclosure song Latch, earning him praise from several of the judges.

However, Simon Cowell typically warned him he would have to ‘pull out all the stops’ for his second audition in front of a live audience of thousands.