Staffordshire X Factor star Faye Bray is all set to start her first tour with a major gig in her home town. Her first gig will be at Cannock’s Prince of Wales Theatre on March 7.

Former teacher Faye hopes her hometown gig, featuring a performance of Joe McElderry’s winning song The Climb, will wow local fans. She won praise from all the judges when she got to the final 25 in the latest series.

A YouTube video of her rendition of River Deep, Mountain High while sporting a saucy basque and suspenders has been watched more than 700,000 times.

Since appearing in the show, the mother-of-three has been tipped for stardom, has had a range of merchandise produced in her honour, performed in front of a crowd of 29,000 at Molineux and lined up appearances at Cannock’s Ramada Hotel.

She will be joined on stage at the Prince of Wales Theatre by dancers from Hednesford-based Gill Lyons Class 1 Dance Academy. Faye said: “I’m so excited by the tour and the opportunity to perform in front of a home crowd.

“It’s brilliant to be able to start things off in an area I’m proud to come from.

“People will have seen me on the X Factor and think they may know me but hopefully, as well as the X Factor tracks, there are a few surprises in there to entertain.

“I began singing and performing as a little girl and performed in pubs and clubs for 10 years singing to backing tracks. It has always been my dream to be the lead performer in front of larger audiences, and now my dream is coming true.”

The set includes judge Cheryl Cole’s massive hit Fight for this Love, Valerie by Amy Winehouse, Shout by Lulu and classics such as The Rose by Bette Midler and Blondie’s Heart of Glass as well as Motown hits.

She added: “I wanted to show my versatility, so I have chosen a broad range of songs to appeal to an audience of all ages.”

Other gigs lined up for Faye are Valentine’s and St George’s Day appearances at the Ramada Hotel in Bridgtown.

Tickets, priced £9.50 or £9 for concessions, are available from the Prince of Wales Theatre by calling 01543 578 762.