X Factor's Danyl Johnson has had his back-up career in football firmed up after the Reading FC manager invited him to train with his team.

Although Brendan Rodgers admits he would be no good in the singing competition, he’d like a kickabout with the Arborfield lad who plays for a five-a-side team in goal on a Sunday.

Rodgers said: “I like his new haircut, I might need to get my head shaved now. Danyl performed fantastically on Saturday and I think he is a great role model for the kids.

“He is a big, big talent and although he has faced criticism recently he has come through it.

“Everyone in Reading hopes he does very, very well and we would like to get him down here when he’s free.”

Danyl’s friend Scott Jenkins was delighted to meet the Reading FC team and hear they were all behind the former Highdown School pupil.

He said: “I was just talking to Jimmy Kebe and Kalifa Cisse and they said they vote for Danyl every week, which is just amazing.

“To hear people in Reading are picking up the phone and voting is just fantastic and I know each week Danyl is so appreciative. He is just so grateful for all the support.”

Danyl’s housemate Richard ‘Mac’ McCallum said: “The support in Reading is unbelievable and each week I go to the live show and tell Danyl what’s been going on and it just means so much to him.”

Tomorrow’s show will be Queen Week and Reading’s pentahotel will host another party to support the town’s contestant.

To show your support, put a banner outside your house and send a picture to getreading. The winner of the best banner will receive a night’s accommodation with a guest at the pentahotel with drinks in the penta lounge. Runners-up will receive cocktail vouchers to spend. Send your pictures with your name, address and number to the address below.

And don’t forget to support our campaign and Dial for Danyl to win.

nslater@reading-epost.co.uk

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