A CROWD of up to 1,000 people welcomed Laura White back to Bolton last night when she performed a homecoming gig at the Reebok Stadium.

The 21-year-old Atherton singer, pictured, who was controversially booted off The X Factor two weeks ago, marked her homecoming with a solo concert.

Speaking just minutes before going on stage in the Premier Suite, Laura said that this was the start of her musical career.

She said: “Music is everything to me. I am used to singing in bars and to be performing at the Reebok is amazing, I’m so excited about it. Instead of a small audience, I will be singing in front of nearly 1,000 people, it’s incredible, almost dreamlike.

“It is so special I am performing back in Bolton, I’m so pleased to be back after weeks away and it is wonderful that I am performing here in a venue like this.”

During her set, Laura performed songs from the X Factor, including Fallin’ by Alicia Keys — the song which won her praise from Simon Cowell — and songs she had penned herself. They were Superstar, Falling in Love and For the Love of it.

Laura said: “I’m going to carry on writing songs and gigging and hopefully next year will be my year.”