Liverpool pupils back Rebecca Ferguson to win X Factor

Rebecca visited her former school earlier this week

Pupils and staff at the former school of X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson are backing the singer to win.

Miss Ferguson, from Anfield, Liverpool, visited Gatacre Community Comprehensive School this week.

Deputy Headteacher Catherine Chapman said the singer, who left the school in 2003, was "an inspiration" to pupils.

"She is very humble and took time to speak to the students and asked them to study hard to achieve their dreams," she said.

Year Seven student Carrigan Mannion said: "It's really great that she used to come to my school. All my friends will be voting for her on Saturday."

Miss Ferguson, a mother-of-two, will perform a duet with Christina Aguilera on Saturday's show.

She is close behind bookie's favourite Matt Cardle to win the competition on Sunday.

Also competing are teenage boy band One Direction and 17-year-old Cher Lloyd.