YOU’VE taken the journey with them from the room to the arena, sat on the edge of your sofa during the dramatic six-seat challenge at bootcamp, travelled to judges’ houses and been gripped by the studio shows.

Now the X Factor Live Tour is heading for the south coast.

Kicking off tonight in Belfast, this country-wide arena tour will play Bournemouth International Centre on Wednesday, February 18 with the top contestants performing classic songs and viewers’ favourites from the TV series.

Among the thousands attending the BIC concert will be a large entourage of family and friends of Stereo Kicks singer Tom Mann.

A former football coach from Chandler’s Ford, Tom’s feet have hardly touched the ground since the boy band made it to the final four of this year’s X Factor.

Talking to the Daily Echo yesterday, Tom’s sister Sophie Buckley said: “Tom did get to come home and enjoy a lovely family Christmas. Then in early January he set off to London and, other than popping home for one day, we’ve not seen him since!”

Daily Echo:

A lot of hard work has gone into preparations for the tour and Stereo Kicks have been busy playing packed out solo gigs too.

Sophie said: “The first couple of weeks consisted of rehearsals just for Stereo kicks. They learned their choreography, practiced their vocals and got to spend two weeks in a luxury apartment in London.

“They are still having the time of their lives and have got a very supportive fan base who follow them everywhere!

“After their initial rehearsals, they were joined by all the X Factor finalists and continued to practice and put together the whole show. They then travelled up north, about two weeks ago. All finalists travelled on the tour bus and it looked like a right laugh!

“Then yesterday they got the ferry over to Belfast where they are now setting up the stage (not literally them) and practicing the whole thing through ready for the opening show tomorrow.”