X-Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza impressed mentor Gary Barlow enough to avoid getting the axe on Saturday.

But his mother Tina Pynn said even if he had not her son is already a popstar.

Speaking to The Argus, Tina said she has been a “nervous wreck” since he entered the competition but that her 18-year-old son has taken it in his stride.

Tina, who works at Roedean School, said: “I have had more sleepless nights recently then when he was a kid.

“He is absolutely fine. It goes over his head.”

Frankie, who is staying at a secret location in London, has already had a taste of fame.

During a visit to his hometown of Brighton last week he was mobbed by scores of girls in Brighton.

Tina said: “When he was in town there were so many girls and at one stage they were queuing up to have a photo taken with him.”

She said she knew about the now famous tattoos on his bottom but it came as a bit of a shock to his grandparents.

Tina said: “I knew about them but I didn’t tell my mum and dad.

“They just laughed. There was not much else to do because it is done now.”

The dream of the live performances is even sweeter for Frankie as he had tried to get on the show previously but did not even make it to the televised audition stage.

The former Longhill High School and City College student applied for X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent but was not successful.

Tina said: “This is not the first time he has tried. Before he didn’t get very far. He didn’t even get to see the judges. But you need about three auditions to get there.

“But this seems to be third time lucky.”

Now she is confident that he can do well in the competition.

Tina said: “I have got every faith in him. I am confident he can go all the way – at least I hope he can.

“He has got everyone supporting him – nice family and nice friends.

“It doesn’t really matter now because he is a popstar anyway.”