Fans bang the drum for eccentric X Factor star Wagner

Eccentric X Factor "wild card" contestant Wagner Carrilho today thanked Black Country fans for their "love and friendship" - as a poster campaign was launched in support of the opera singer.

It comes as photos emerged of the quirky singer's colourful life - including one of him dressed in swimming trunks while holding a lion's tail.

He kept the lion as a pet while in his native country of Brazil after it was given to him as a gift from a lady friend at just eight weeks old.

See more pictures of the X Factor star by clicking the image on the right.

Sources close to the new-found star say the lion used to curl up at night with his best friend, a Samoyed dog.

Wagner, aged 54, of Blewitt Street, Pensnett, has come a long way since entertaining customers in the local chippy, and now neighbours and friends are putting up "Bang the drum for Wagner" posters in their homes and shops to help send him to the finals.

Wagner was sent home from the competition at the judges' house stage, but was re-introduced at Saturday's live show as Louis Walsh's "wild card" in the over-28s category.

The former PE teacher at Leasowes Community College, Halesowen, made it through the live show after an energetic — and slightly saucy — combination of Ricky Martin's She Bangs and B52's Love Shack.

Wagner today thanked everyone who has supported him so far.

"I'm overwhelmed by the support from everyone," he told friends.

"I really appreciate everyone's love and friendship.

"It's the best feeling in the world to be loved."

Mandy Dhaliwal, who owns Tasty Fish Bar opposite Wagner's flat, was one of the few close friends he invited along to the X Factor live shows.

"I can't believe he's through — it's really exciting," said Mrs Dhaliwal, aged 26, from Himley.

"The atmosphere was amazing.

"It was like being at a football match and seeing your team win the World Cup." She said the quirky father-of-one was just as "bonkers" in real life as he came across on TV, often popping into the chippy to entertain customers.

"He would come in quite a lot and sing opera to people there," she said.

"He's a born entertainer — although it's a shame that they are making him sing pop songs as opera is what he's really good at."

Neighbour Sandra Fisher, 37, said she and her two sons were big Wagner fans.

"We've heard him singing opera in the back garden — he's very good," she said.

"There's a lot of support around here for him."

Even local superstore Asda, in Brierley Hill, has got involved, rallying support for their regular customer who, according to kiosk worker Jay Siviter, 22, often forces the shop to stay open past closing time as he is so deep in conversation with staff.

Since first appearing on the annual competition in show three with a resounding rendition of Pavarotti's Idigo, Wagner has had people talking about his eccentric take on pop songs — including You Got The Love — his good humour and bizarre Brazilian/Black Country accent mash-up.

Photographs of Wagner with the lion and leading a martial arts class were used in adverts in the 1990s for the Conservatories Xpress windows, doors and conservatory fitting firm he ran in Netherton before opening The Martial Arts and Dance Gym in Elbow Street, Cradley Heath.