Croydon's newest star came out on top on Saturday night after sailing through another week of ITV'S The X Factor.

Ashley McKenzie, who is being represented in the talent show by pop mogul Simon Cowell, wowed the audience with his rendition of Rod Stewart's I'd Rather Go Blind.

The former Archbishop Lanfranc pupil was told by judge Louis Walsh that it was a "classy performance" and Sharon Osbourne told the 20-year-old that he "knew how to work it".

Ashley said he has always wanted to pursue a musical career and that the £1 million recording contract prize would mean everything to him.

He said: "Winning would mean a lot to me. In fact it would mean everything because it's the start of the beginning and it would mean the world. If I won I would buy the family a new home - a really big house."

Ashley (pictured right) had been living in the family home in Northcote Road with his mum Maxine, three sisters, Leah, 22, Olivia, 15, Ella, 12, and two brothers Rory, 12, and David before the show.

He is part of the Mckenzie boxing family from Croydon - his father Leroy was a fighter and his uncle Clinton Mckenzie - a former British and European heavyweight champion. His cousin Leon McKenzie played for Crystal Palace.

Ashley said that his musical influences come from stars such as Stevie Wonder, Barry White and Luther Vandross and that living in London with the rest of the acts was a great experience, although he added: "I miss my family and my mum's food."