Nerve-wracking night for X Factor star George Shelley's mum

FAMILY and friends of X Factor star George Shelley are urging his fans to make the effort to vote to ensure boy band Union J progress in the TV talent competition.

George, 19 and his bandmates found themselves in the bottom two in Sunday night's results show, following their performance of Beyonce's Sweet Dreams on Saturday.

After a sing-off, in which Union J performed the Pink hit Perfect, judges voted to keep them in the competition and instead voted for Jade Ellis, 25, to leave.

Head judge, Gary Barlow, told them: "Guys, I have been tough on you because I'm a band member myself.

"It's been good, but it's not been exceptional. 'I can see the commitment, I can see the ambition in your eyes.

"I'm excited to see what's next from you."

Fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger agreed, saying: "Union J, through your performance, your work, you've proved yourself to me."

George's mum Toni Harris, 50, of Clevedon, travelled up to the results show on Sunday and was shocked to see her son and his bandmates in the bottom two.

Toni said: "I was shaking during the performance and wanted to cry.

"I was looking at my baby up there and he was vulnerable, I just kept looking at his face and I wanted to protect him from anything bad happening.

"When the band got through I could feel my legs weaken, it was a massive relief."

Toni said she believed Union J may have ended up in the bottom two because their growing army of fans assumed they were safe in the competition.

"No one is safe in the X Factor," said Toni.

"The band has a massive fan base but it may be they have become a bit complacent because they think they are safe. But Union J need people to vote for them.

"If their fans want them to continue in the competition, they need to pick up the phones."

Toni met up with former Weston College student George after the show when the rising star enjoyed his favourite tipple – a Corona beer with a slice of lime in it.

Toni said: "George was really tired as he is working so hard.

"The show hasn't changed him, he is still just our George, still the same.

"He doesn't go out and party – and he had to be up at 6am the next morning."

George had contacted Toni in the week asking for her to take him some 'homely' stuff up to Wembley after the show.

She arrived with a Tesco bag packed full of his favourite treats, including Maltesers, marshmallow cakes, raspberries and strawberries and his favourite pyjama bottoms and T-shirts along with pictures of him with his brothers and sister.

Toni added: "I think all the contestants are feeling 'normality sick' rather than homesick.

"He just wanted some homely stuff brought up for him."

Toni said George and his bandmates had all pledged to up their game after being in the bottom two this week.

She added: "George and the band were very cool and positive about it all. They just said it was their turn to be in the bottom two and there was no bitchiness.

"They all said they didn't take anything for granted and they did not take it personally that they were in the sing off.

"The support that the contestants give each other is overwhelming – it's lovely to see.

"All the boys are now planning to up their game for next week and pull something out of the bag which has real impact.

"All of them are so talented and I want everyone to see that."

The theme of next week's show is Number Ones.

Toni added: "I want everyone who knows George and all his fans to get behind him and Union J and vote, vote, vote to keep them in the competition and give them every chance possible."