AT four years old, McKenzie Williamson is tot of the pops according to the usually cold-eyed judges on the X Factor.
McKenzie was smuggled into the auditions by his mother, Nicola, and became the youngest ever contestant.
Even hard-hearted critic Simon Cowell was impressed by his performance of the Westlife number, When You're Looking Like That.
He said the youngster had talent, but was too young to go through to the next round.
Mrs Williamson, who is through to the Boot Camp stage with her all-girl band Dream On, said: "I am very proud of him. Simon Cowell said he was a 'yes' if the show was still running in 2017."
McKenzie, of Fencehouses, near Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, made his television debut on Saturday night's ITV show.
Mr Cowell said: "I like the fact that they're cocky now from the age of four."
McKenzie said: "The judges said I was too young, but I said to them, 'look how big I am'.
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