X Factor finalist Luke Friend has been reunited with his former singing teacher from Shipley’s Debut Theatre School of Performing Arts.

The singer-songwriter, who came third in the ITV show, performed at Harrogate’s Viper Rooms on a mini tour earlier this month, and Debut principal Jacqui Drake was cheering him on.

She was there with Matthew Spalding, 17, a friend of Luke’s at Debut, and they were reunited with the singer backstage.

“Luke threw his arms around me, it was great to see him again,” says Jacqui.

“There were swarms of people, everyone wanted his photo, but he’s taking it all in his stride.

“It was great for him and Matthew to meet up again; they used to hang out together and were always making music.

“Luke is about to start the X Factor tour, so he’s got a busy few months ahead, but we’re hoping he’ll visit us at Debut in the near future.”

Luke grew up in Bradford before moving to Devon with his family four years ago.

His father, Steve Friend, told the T&A he was thrilled with the support from Bradford while in X Factor.

"He's going to keep on writing songs and singing, we've been looking at record contracts,” said Mr Friend. “He wants to go back to Debut in Shipley and meet up with his old friends, to thank them for all their support.”