Schoolgirl will battle for the public's vote

Millions of viewers tuned in as the 12-year-old songstress was told by Simon Cowell that she had been chosen to advance to the next round last night.

Lauren, from Hatch Warren, won Basingstoke’s Festival Factor in 2010 and fought off competition from 250 acts to secure her place in the semi-finals, which get underway tonight with a two-hour special.

The Testbourne Community School pupil wowed the judges by singing a ‘gangster song’ and will compete against 43 other acts.

The remaining semi-finalists will perform in hour-long shows until Thursday.