Out of the race, but George still has the X Factor

X FACTOR star George Shelley may have been voted off the show but his family say his exit is the start of bigger things to come.

Mum Toni Harris, her partner Guy and brother William watched the results show on Sunday night at the family home in Clevedon.

Toni travelled up to London on Saturday night to watch the semi final although it was 19-year -old George's grandparents Ann and Dave Harris who travelled up to London on Sunday for the results show – and to watch their grandson perform alongside Rod Stewart.

She said: "When we saw George after the show on Saturday night and went back to the hotel he did not say a lot.

"He was very tired and wanted to go straight to bed.

"He said then that he thought the band would go.

"I know at one point the voting was very close."

Ahead of his performance George had tweeted to fans on Friday: "I can't sleep. I'm so nervous about tomorrow. Please, please, please vote Union J. No one is safe."

And when the news came that Union J had received the fewest number of votes and were out of the competition, Toni burst into tears.

Toni, 50, said: "I was upset and shortly after the results were announced I just burst into tears.

"It was pretty tense in my front room with us all sat there watching it.

"When the results came in, I just felt myself sink.

"But I do believe this has now set the band free and they are ready to fly and can now start recording and performing."

Mentor Louis Walsh said he was disappointed at the band's exit, but added: "They are going to have an amazing future.

"They are going to be the next big boy band."

Toni said although it has not been confirmed that Union J have a record deal, she expects one is in the pipeline.

She said: "I do not know whether or not they have a record deal as I have not been told, but I expect they have.

"I think they will start recording now and go out and about doing meet and greet sessions.

"This is just the start for George and he is going to be very busy.

"I am hoping to get to see him for a couple of days and am hoping he will be home for Christmas.

"But I have a hunch that he will be staying up in London.

"The X Factor has been an amazing platform for George and a brilliant opportunity for him.

"This year's show has given us some real potential stars and there has been a real mix of talent.

"He has taken all this in his stride and I am so proud of him – I just cannot put that into words.

"I never imagined I would be sat at home on a Saturday night watching my son singing in a prime-time talent show or performing alongside Rod Stewart."

Toni said she has also seen her son "grow as a person" during his time on the TV talent show.

She added: "The X Factor has given George a lot of confidence and this is definitely not the end of Union J – they have a too big fan base.

"He said he went in as a solo performer and now cannot imagine performing without being alongside the other guys."

Through to the final next Saturday is James Arthur, Jahmene Douglas and Christopher Maloney.

One million people had voted in the 24 hours before the results show.