POP hopeful Nathan Whitley has fought against the odds to reach the last 10 of an S4C talent show.
The 16-year-old from Rhosddu was one of only three boys in the last 20 of WawFfactor, the Welsh-language X Factor-style show.
Now, with the final just four weeks away, all three are still in the competition.
Ysgol Morgan Llwyd pupil Nathan will be judged again tomorrow (Friday) by the panel made up of Radio 1 DJs Bethan Elfyn and Aled Haydn Jones, singer and performer Huw Chiswell and ex-Catatonia guitarist Owen Powell.
Last Friday he performed Mr Duw, a Welsh song about God, and while Aled criticised him as too wooden on stage Owen said: 'We've found a Welshman that sings like a black American. I've never heard a Welshman sing with that kind of voice.'
The show is on every Friday and is pre-recorded with a live final on Friday, March 31.
Contestants will be knocked out at each stage until the show's final when three individuals will battle it out to win the judges' praise and the public's affections.
Throughout the series vocal coach Caryl Parry Jones will give budding pop stars tips on how to improve their performances and stylist Betsan Rees will be on hand to ensure they've got the right image.
'It is really nerve-racking performing in front of the judges but I'm happy to get through to the last 10,' he said.
'Aled wasn't that positive about me last week. I think he's trying to be the Simon Cowell of the show.
'But Owen said some positive things and on the whole I think the judges have been harsh but fair.'
Nathan never planned to enter the show until his friends spurred him on.
'The auditions came to my school,' he said. 'I have only ever performed in school productions and Urdd Eisteddfodau before and wasn't going to try.
'But my mates said I might as well while they were there so I sang R Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly and now here I am in the last 10!
'The cameras are what make it scary. I had some advice on dealing with them from Caryl and my teacher from Morgan Llwyd, Mary Griffiths.
'This week I am singing another Welsh song, Ty Coz, about a man in a pub.
'We haven't recorded it yet but hopefully I will be able to stay in another week.'
His appearances have already become an event.
'The whole family is really proud of him,' said mum Angela Owen. 'He is a really good singer and you can tell the improvement since he got coaching on the show.
'My friend recorded the show last week and we keep watching it over and over again. I just can't believe he's on telly.
'We'll have everyone round on Friday, friends, relatives everyone to support him.
'We hope he goes all the way but even getting this far is an achievement when there are so few boys in the competition.'
