X Factor contestant Tamera Foster hopes to wow the audience this week with the sounds of the Big Band.

The 16-year-old from Gravesend, who had to sing for survival on Sunday night's results show against fellow contestants Kingsland Road, has put the nerve-wracking sing-off on Sunday night's show firmly behind her.

Her mum, Rachael, popped into the Messenger office today to say how excited Tamera is about performing this weekend.

"She came off stage and sobbed, not because she was in the bottom two but because she is so close to the boys in Kingsland Road. She said it was like competing against her brothers.

"After the show I said she could come home for the night but she wanted to spend the boys' last night in the X Factor house and say a proper goodbye.

"She was very down on Sunday but it was back to work Monday. She is putting her all into it and working really hard.

"She is really looking forward to Big Band Week, although I'm not allowed to say what she is singing yet. This is one week she has been really looking forward to."

Rachael, 32, is drumming up support throughout the town for her daughter, by handing out posters to businesses and shops to put on display, while proudly wearing her 'Team Tamera' hoody emblazoned with the words 'Tamera's Mum' on the back.

The teenager's brother, Regan, 13, sister Kiera, 11, and nan Janet also have their own tops.

Other relatives and friends are also showing their support and have nicknamed themselves T-Birds and T-Gents.

Gravesham Borough Council is also helping out and will be filming videos of the public supporting the North West Kent College student throughout the town centre tomorrow.

They will then be shown on their Facebook page.

Because Tamera spends most nights in the X Factor house Rachael is also having to cope with not hearing her daughter's amazing singing voice at every waking moment.

"She has such a loud singing voice and I was always telling her to 'shut up'. But I miss her a lot because the house is very quiet with her not being there. She shares a bedroom with Kiera and they are very close. Kiera plays her X Factor auditions over and over again."

Despite Tamera being busy with singing rehearsals, filming and photocalls, the teenager still finds time to stay in touch with seven-year-old Stacey Mowle, also from Gravesend.

Stacey is battling a rare cancer and her family are trying to raise £500,000 to pay for her specialist treatment.

The youngster is a huge fan of Tamera and the pair recently met.

"She is so intent on helping Stacey," said Rachael.

"When they met they just fell in love. Stacey draws her pictures all the time and Tamera rings her up in the mornings to say hello."

Tune in to see Tamera perform on X Factor on ITV on Saturday at 8pm.