Film and TV

Josh Cuthbert (right) with Louis Tomlinson (left) from One Direction
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Josh Cuthbert and Union J want Bracknell to get behind them on X Factor

By Becky Barnes
October 19, 2012

X Factor's Josh Cuthbert from Winkfield and his band Union J made it through a second week of live shows and are appealing for Bracknell Forest’s support.

The 20-year-old former Charters School pupil shone with a cover of Leona Lewis’ ‘Bleeding Love’ and ‘Broken Strings’ by Nelly Furtado and James Morrison and was voted through to next Saturday’s show.

Josh said: “I am a local lad who wants to follow his dream – a little bit of support really helps.

“The first week was a car crash – the song didn’t suit me so we really had to come back and work really hard.”

After an average performance of Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop me Now’ the first week they attracted praise from the judges last weekend, with Tulisa saying they had improved on the week before and had potential to do well.

Gary Barlow said the band demonstrated a ‘total transformation’ while Nicole Scherzinger said they got ‘everything right’.

Q & A with X Factor star Josh Cuthbert

Union J’s mentor Louis Walsh said: “You worked so hard this week, you’re like a new group and you bring something to this show that nobody else brings.”

Josh told the Standard it was ‘such a good feeling’ to know the band’s hard work paid off.

He said: “Literally I am eating, sleeping and breathing rehearsals – I am still not used to it – it hasn’t hit me – it is manic.”

The boys are rehearsing for a ‘Club Classics’ theme on Saturday and Josh said the worst part is awaiting results of the public vote.

He said: “It is awful because anyone can go. There are always the favourites, but shock people who don’t deserve to leave get voted out in the first few weeks.”

Josh’s mum Kathryn Browne, 50, was interviewed by Dermot O’Leary on Saturday night’s ITV1 live show and said she was ‘very proud’ of the boys.

She said: “Being on TV was incredibly scary – I don’t know how Josh goes on stage every week like he does. I was terrified, but it was a great weekend.”

Kathryn said she has never been a fan of Leona Lewis’ ‘Bleeding Love’, but enjoyed Union J’s mash-up.

She added: “I’m really looking forward to next week. This is all so very exciting. There is so much support and involvement from friends and family – it’s been unbelievable.”

l Josh reveals his secret passions in our Q&A on page 4.

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