X Factor hopeful Danyl Johnson said he would perform in Reading on his return from the talent contest to thank fans for their support.

Speaking exclusively to the Post, the dance teacher said: “Reading is my hometown and that’s where I will be.”

Danyl also hit back at X Factor judge Louis Walsh for branding him a bully but said he didn’t take offence to Dannii Minogue’s comments in an earlier show referring to his sexuality.

This Saturday night will see the remaining contestants sing with a live band in the upcoming Big Band Week and Danyl has something different in store for fans.

“This is the week I wanted to get to the most,” he said.

“It’s such a great week, singing live with real musicians.

“I’m looking forward to it so much. I’m going to be moving around the stage a little and I may or may not have some dancers.”

The support from family and friends has meant a lot to him too – and he liked the Post’s Dial for Danyl campaign.

“It’s great to have the support. When you are on this type of show it’s all about the votes,” he said.

The former Starmaker pupil, from Arborfield, said his journey on the show is “great for the students”.

He said: “I started when I was 14 or 15 and I’m now 27 but it does happen.”

The reason he auditioned for the show is also down to his students at Mo’s Dance & Drama School.

“I was teaching at Mo’s and they did a show and asked me to help out,” he said.

“I don’t normally sing for them as I’m their dance teacher but I did and they said I should go on X Factor so I printed out the application form.”

Describing performing in the live finals as “nail biting”, he added: “We are so lucky to be on the stage and to have the chance is amazing as it’s what we have all fought to get for so long.”

Since the live shows started all the contestants live together in London with Danyl sharing a room with fellow Over 25 category contestants Olly Murs and Jamie Archer, but he built up a friendship with Rikki Loney who is in Cheryl Cole’s Boys group.

He said: “I was really friendly with Rikki right from Boot Camp and I was really sad to see him go on Saturday.”

Of Dannii’s controversial comments, he said: “It was just a bit of a joke.

“It wasn’t meant that way and I didn’t take any offence. I was more upset with Louis saying I wasn’t likeable, that was hard to listen to.”

And he described Simon Cowell as “the nicest guy”.

“He’s there to help us out and we have chats with him all the time and can call him up or he will call or email us and he listens to our suggestions about songs,” he said.

“What he says can sway the public.”

Don’t forget to Dial for Danyl and support our campaign to make him the winner of this year’s X Factor.

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