X Factor contestant Matthew Protheroe from New Malden has said working with mentor Simon Cowell has made him more determined to make it all the way to the final.

Matthew, 17, a former pupil at Malden Manor Primary School, is down to the final 10 acts in the ITV talent competition as part of the group Futureproof.

He said: "Simon is really cool - and honest - he tells you like it is.

"He really wants to win so that makes you want to win even more as well."

Futureproof will sing the Andy Williams' classic Can't Take my Eyes off You during an X Factor big band special this Saturday.

Matthew said the five-piece group, who were formed at the audition stage from solo artists that didn't quite make the grade, had bonded into a "family."

He said: "We get on so well and we're more like a family now as cheesy as that sounds."

The group are currently sharing a house with other finalists, including rival group Hope, which features former Kingston College student Leah Lauder, 20, and 16-year-old Phoebe Brown from Addlestone.

Matthew said: "Everyone in the house gets on and we have a bit of banter with Hope.

"I guess they are seen as our main competition because they're the girl group and we're the boy band."

Matthew said he's keeping his feet firmly on the ground and friends and family from New Malden had been a great source of support.

He said: "My friends are texting and calling me all the time and are backing me 100 per cent.

"My parents are seeing me doing what I love and it's as exciting for them as it is for me - if not more so."

Watch Futureproof and Hope perform this Saturday on ITV 1 at 6.45pm.