GILES Potter has fallen at the final hurdle after mentor Louis Walsh decided not to take him to the X Factor's live shows.

The 16-year-old from Norton, Worcester was seen with his head in his hands as Louis delivered the news that he would not continue in the competition.

Giles, a former Pershore High School pupil, performed James Blunt's You're Beautiful for the judges' houses audition in St Tropez.

Music manager Louis told the teenager: "Giles, we loved your very first audition.

"We saw something there, we saw sparkle and saw determination in you.

"Yesterday, it wasn't good. You kind of let yourself down.

"Yesterday wasn't as good as it should have been.

"It's not good news, Giles. Sorry, you're going home."

His audition had gone down well with pop star Sinitta who said her daughter would put his posters up on her bedroom walls.

But Louis had not been completely convinced, telling Sinitta, Westlife's Shane Filan and All Saint Nicole Appleton: "He's likeable, he's fun but the vocal worries me, there was nothing stand out."

Even Giles was a bit worried about his vocal, admitting to presenter Dermot O'Leary that some notes had been "a bit iffy".

Viewers saw him return home to Worcester to break the news to his friends and family who were waiting anxiously.

Travelling home, Giles said: "To be so close to something and for it to be out of reach just makes you so upset."

After telling them he had not got through, his mum Tara said: "We're so proud of you, it's amazing you've got as far as you have."

The show has been a rollercoaster for Giles who impressed in his first audition with Jessie J's Price Tag.

However, he forgot the words to Jackie Wilson's Reet Petite at the Wembley Arena audition which prompted Take That star Gary Barlow to give him advice backstage.

He was back on form for his boot camp performance of Jason Mraz's I Won't Give Up which Gary told him was his "best audition to date".

Since appearing on the X Factor, Giles has gathered a huge following through social networking sites Twitter and Facebook and has done a string of gigs around the country.

Speaking to your Worcester News, he said his dream was to tour the world.

Giles will be performing at the Holiday Inn, Stratford upon Avon on Friday. For tickets log on to http://www.adrmanagement.co.uk/main/giles-potter-live/