“GOOD luck Tom, we’re all so proud of you.”

That is the message of support from pupils at Tom Mann’s old school as he bids for X Factor glory in the live finals this weekend.

All 400 children at Hiltingbury Junior School in Chandler’s Ford got together for a whole-school singing lesson and pledged their support for Tom and his as yet unnamed boy band who are tipped to be the next One Direction.

Tom, 20, a part-time football coach from Chandler’s Ford, was on the show last year, but only made it as far as the boot camp stage when mentor Louis Walsh decided to send him home.

This year he is one of eight lads, aged 14-20, who all auditioned solo, but were offered the chance to come back as a group.

Bookmakers have put Tom’s band as second favourites to win the show behind soloist Jay James.

Tom’s niece Ella Buckley, 10, and nephew Oscar Buckley are pupils at the school where there has been huge excitement this week.

Ella said: “I am so proud of my uncle. I hope the group are going to be famous like One Direction.”

Oscar added: “I can’t wait to see my Uncle Tom on TV on the Live Shows."”

Their mum, and Tom’s sister, Sophie Buckley, told the Daily Echo that all her children, including five-year-old Casper, knew all the band’s names and had been to all the auditions with Tom.

She added: “They are Tom’s biggest fans. We all watch X Factor altogether every weekend. It is such an amazing experience for the children to be a part of.

“Unfortunately the children can’t go to the live shows this weekend as they’ve said no children allowed. But they’ll be watching from the sofa. The kids all made good luck cards and they are so in awe of him.”

Hiltingbury Junior School head teacher Sam Hunter said: “We are all really excited about the live shows this weekend and we are all very proud of Tom.”

• The X Factor live final is on ITV1 at 7.30pm tomorrow.