SINGING sensation Joanne Hindley proved she had the X-Factor when she made it through to the group stages of the hit TV show.

The 26-year-old mother-of-one was selected during Saturday's ITV show by judge Sharon Osbourne to be a member of the over-25s group.

The former Harper Green school pupil had already impressed the other judges, Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell.

She is now in one of three tough "boot camps" to be given voice and style coaching .

Four from each group of seven will go through to the final.

Joanne said: "I'm ecstatic. I couldn't believe it because I messed my song up so much I didn't think I was going to get through.

"Sharon shouted at me as well - but I am so chuffed."

Joanne sang the Elton John song Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me, but was dismayed when she forgot some of the lyrics.

"I only remembered the first line of the whole chorus! I have never cried so much in my whole life," she said.

Last month all three judges voted Joanne through after she sang the Sting song, Fields of Gold, in the style of Eva Cassidy.

Joanne lives with baby Brandon, aged one, and boyfriend Steve, in Peel Street, Farnworth,.

Last year she beat thousands of girls in a phone singing competition to perform live on stage with boy band, Westlife. She also sang with them on The Way You Look Tonight recorded for their Rat Pack album.