Janet Sanderson, from Wolverhampton, who suffers from lupus as well as kidney failure, is amazed by her son Jermaine’s achievement of getting to the final 12 of the popular TV talent show with his band 4Sure.

Today the very proud mother opened up her family photo album and told how she always knew that the 23-year-old would become a star.

Recalling memories of him prancing around the living room impersonating Michael Jackson at just six years-old, the 42-year-old said she is still coming to terms with her son’s sudden leap into the public eye.

But she revealed the practical joker, who works at Oxley day centre, would cope with the pressures of fame just fine.

Fame is no stranger to the family. Athlete Tessa Sanderson, who won Olympic javelin gold in 1984, is Jermaine’s auntie.

And she, along with thousands of fans in Wolverhampton, is set to be cheering on Jermaine and the rest of the band – Donovan Bailey, 38, Kriss Jones, 24, and Andrew Fisher, 30 – when they take to the stage in the first live show on Saturday.

Talented

Janet, who lives in Burcot Avenue, Heath Town, said: “The lads didn’t even tell us they had auditioned for X Factor until they got through to boot camp.

“I know I am biased but I knew they would make it through to the finals. They are very talented.

“Jermaine has always loved singing. He gets his talent from his dad Eric.

“At six, he used to go around to relatives and friends’ houses and perform his Michael Jackson impersonation before going around with a cup to collect money from them.

“He is a very outgoing and fun lad, always playing practical jokes on people. I am very proud of him, I was even before the show.

“He has always been a bit of a heartthrob with the girls and I’m sure he will love the attention he is going to get from the show. We know they can do it.”

By Victoria Nash