He's hunky, he’s talented, he’s a genuinely nice guy, and he has a Superman tattoo on his arm.

He is our X Factor sensation and now wannabe superstar Danyl Johnson needs YOU.

The 27-year-old from Arborfield has already amassed millions of fans across the globe but the dance school teacher who works at Starmaker, where he graduated from, and Mo’s Dance School in Reading, needs the support of his hometown as he enters the ITV talent show final.

Danyl was picked in the final 12 on Sunday by his mentor Simon Cowell who described him as ‘Marmite’ – you either love him or hate him – and will now be performing live on Saturday night and will be relying on the public vote to save him.

So join the Reading Post/getreading campaign and Dial for Danyl.

Danyl visited his pupils at Mo’s Dance School in St Mary’s School in Coley Park last month and on Saturday a camera crew from X Factor also visited to film his pupils for the show.

Monica Cleaver, founder of Mo’s, said: “Dan is a fantastic role model and we are so proud of him. He is a local lad and now he is in the final. Reading needs to get behind him now and vote for him.”

Danyl grew up in Emmer Green and went to Highdown School.

He has known Ms Cleaver since he was 13 and has been working at her dance school for three years.

The talented singer and dancer has been described as an all-round performer and his ex-teacher and now employer believes he has the true X Factor.

She said: “Everyone in the final 12 is exceptionally talented because they have made it out of millions of people and so they all should be regarded as something special.

“But Danyl has that little bit more. What you see is what you get, he gives it his all and he can sing and dance and capture an audience. He has that something extra.

“Even if he does not win I think he will be in the last few and whatever happens now, we are all so proud of him.”

With the live performances starting on Saturday, Ms Cleaver has said she has spoken to Danyl and he is very nervous about it all.

She said: “I am a bit like a mother to Danyl really. I speak to him regularly and he is just working so hard right now. He is so nervous and it means so much to him.

“Watching him on the television is really nail-biting stuff and when the live shows start I think I’ll be behind the sofa!”

Jude Chapman is owner of dance shop Dancia in Caversham and her children Sam, 13, and Ellie, 12, are pupils at Mo’s.

She said: “My kids absolutely adore Dan. Everyone does – he is so wonderful with the kids and is such an inspiration to them.

“Watching him make it so far has been a delight and we are very excited to see where he goes from here. We think he has the X Factor and we will be voting for him to win.”

Meanwhile, Danyl’s other pupils from Starmaker, where both he and patron Kate Winslet learned their craft, will not be able to watch their hero take part in the first live show as they will be performing themselves.

Starmaker pupils are putting on 70s’ special Boogie Nights at the Wilde Theatre at South Hill Park in Bracknell on Saturday night.

Spokeswoman Michelle Palin, told the Post: “They all want to let Danyl know they will be supporting him all the way.”

Boogie Nights is being performed each night this week, and tickets are still available for some performances. Call (0118) 978 9238.

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