The X Factor: Sam Bailey and Luke Britnell among early favourites

A teenage Justin Bieber lookalike and a singing prison officer emerged as early front runners on The X Factor 2013 as auditions kicked off.

Luke Britnell, 19 - who works as a tribute act to the chart-topping heart-throb - was among one of the first standouts in the first show, wowing the judges with the self-penned track Think Positive.

And the jaunty little number proved a hit with the judges, who sent him swiftly through to the second round of auditions at Wembley Arena.

"That was precious and it was just feel good," Nicole Scherzinger told him.

"It just makes you want to feel good, we all needed that."

Sharon Osbourne, meanwhile, was similarly enthusiastic, saying: "You are very professional, I loved your audition. Well done."

Ultimately though it was prison officer Sam Bailey who stole the show - bringing all four judges to their feet with her powerful rendition of Beyonce's track Listen.

The unassuming 35-year-old from Leicester - who said beforehand: "I think that I'm a bit too old for it now but I've got to at least try haven't I?" - left the quartet genuinely taken aback with her performance.

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