A FORMER pupil at St James’ School, Farnworth, who dropped out of his music GCSE course has become a global pop sensation after appearing on the X Factor.

Kendal Knowles, who was born in Farnworth, is one half of the duo Kendro, who made it through to bootcamp on the hit show.

Despite being kicked off the show on Sunday, the name of their song Do The Kendro trended worldwide on social networking website Twitter and a Facebook group has been set up to try to get the song to number one this Christmas. Kendal, aged 24, said: “I’m over the moon, I’m in the best mood ever.

We couldn’t have asked for a better reaction.”

He formed the band with his best friend, 19-year-old Alejandro Perez, a year ago after videos of the pair performing in their living room in Chorley became a surprise hit on YouTube.

Their audition in Manchester split the judges, with Gary Barlow describing them as “everything that is wrong with the competition”, but despite that they made it through to the next round.

During their time at bootcamp, their overthe- top antics received some negative reports.

Kendal said: “We understand why we didn’t get through — we weren’t vocally strong enough, but we do have a place in the music industry and we want to prove that.

I know we can be number one — it’s just a waiting game. We want it more than ever now and I know we can do it.”

The budding pop star played lead violin for the school orchestra in Year 11, but gave it up. “I was just a scally, I let myself go,” he said.