A FORMER X-Factor contestant from Hampshire will be cheering on his former rivals as they take part in the final of the TV talent show tonight.

Tom Mann will join millions of people across Britain on the edge of their seats for the make-or-break showdown to find out who will be the 2013 champion.

Former prison officer Sam Bailey is the bookies’ favourite, but the 36-year-old from Leicester will face a strong challenge from Devonshire busker Luke Friend and Scottish teenager Nicholas McDonald.

Tom, who was eliminated from the competition at the bootcamp stage, has yet to make his final decision, but says he will be rooting for both boys.

The 20-year-old full-time singer and guitarist from Chandler’s Ford said: “Sam has done very well and surprised everyone – she’s very talented, got an amazing voice and is a lovely person.

“But I was very close to both Luke and Nick and I will be backing my boys.”

He refers to Sam as his “Mummy Bailey” while on bootcamp and although he says people might question her age, her popularity shows she can appeal to the UK audience.

He says Luke is someone who can thrive under pressure after surviving several sing offs to make the final and that Nick is a “great character” with an incredible talent.

Millions tuned in to see Tom perform renditions of Let Her Go by Passenger and Little Mix’s How Ya Doing before he bowed out at the bootcamp stage.

The former Thornden School pupil and Peter Symonds College student added: “I would love to be in their position.

“When I went out I felt I still had so much to give and in a way I envy them being in that position.”

But he says the experience has been beneficial for his career and his first single Noel was released on December 1.

It is a duo with singer Grace Monroe to raise funds for the Soldiering Through Life charity and has been played on several radio stations as well as music TV channels.