X-FACTOR star Holly Tandy is ‘hoping and praying’ for an invitation to turn on the town’s Christmas lights this year.

Holly, 16, of Darton, made it through Viva Latino week on the ITV show, where she sang the Justin Bieber hit Despacito.

When she caught up with the Chronicle this week, she said she was desperate to get back to Barnsley, and turning the Christmas lights on would be a dream come true.

She said: “I’ve not been asked but I’m hoping and praying I’m in line for that. I remember my dad saying ‘you might be able to switch the lights on’ and I said I wouldn’t get that far. That would be a dream come true.

“I’m desperate to come back to Barnsley, I’m really missing up north. Yorkshire is where I’m supposed to be. Eventually, I will be able to come back. Who knows, if I get to the final I might be coming back with a big bus.”

Holly mastered the Spanish lyrics last week, and hopes her performance this weekend will see her voted through to the fourth live final.

She said: “It was really tough and challenging last week to be honest. But it went amazing, everyone had really good songs and we were all chuffed.

“I was so pleased to get through, and even to get through the first week was tough for everyone.

“This weekend it is a double eviction, so two people will go tomorrow and two people go on Sunday.

“I’m just stepping up my game and rehearsing. It’s George Michael week and everyone will be singing a George Michael song. I’ve got a really great song, I can’t say what it is, but it’s going to be amazing and very emotional.

“I’m really looking forward to it.”

Holly and the other finalists in the girls category found time out of their busy rehearsals to attend the Gigi Hadid make up launch in Oxford Street on Tuesday night, where they were surrounded by celebrities.

She said: “It was such a great night. I’ve got a sparkly dress that I’ve been wanting to wear for ages, which I got in a French connection sale. When I bought it, my mum said I would never wear it and I promised to find an occasion to wear it to. And I wore the sparkly dress.

“My life has completely changed, from living in my house in Barnsley and going to Barnsley College, to working with the best people and going to events like that.

“I’m living the life of luxury at the minute.”