The Essex girl who is set to become a £6million superstar: How a builder's daughter who lives with her mum in a £250,000 terrace home became the X Factor's youngest EVER winner aged 17

Louisa Johnson had the world at her feet last night as she stood on the stage at Wembley Arena, arm in arm with Rita Ora and with a huge record deal from Simon Cowell on its way.

But it was a performance on a much smaller stage in front of a fraction of the number of people which started her down the road to X-Factor stardom.

The 17-year-old's parents have revealed they first realised her talent when she sang - aged just eight - during a Haven caravan park talent contest more than a decade ago.

Since then the teenager has taken every opportunity to perform, singing at old people's homes, friends' weddings and in pubs and bars to build up experience.

She set up her own YouTube channel while still in school and her astonishing confidence on stage has been built up in a series of talent shows in Essex and beyond. 

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X-Factor star Louisa Johnson (pictured, left, as a child and, right, today) first shined when she sung at a Haven holiday camp aged eight, her father has revealed

A video of Louisa singing Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You has been posted online by her mother

Louisa today embarked on her first day as a popstar, doing the rounds of the TV studios as she attempts to get as much publicity as possible following her win last night.

The fame and fortune set to come the teenager's way will be a massive change for a college student who up to now has lived with her mother and brother in a terraced home in Chafford Hundred, Essex.

Proud father Dave Johnson, who split with her mother Lisa Hawkyard when Louisa was three, has told how the family realised she could sing when she entered a talent contest 11 years ago.

Builder Mr Johnson told local radio: 'When she was eight, that's when we knew, because we went to a Haven and she did a talent show there and she won it singing Whitney Houston and a guy came up to me and said "that's natural".'

On the back of the praise she received, her parents began putting her forward for local contests before she started being booked by local bars and venues.

Louisa has admitted she struggled at school and her decision to leave Harris Academy go a performing arts college Urban Edge was backed by her parents.

Louisa pictured at her home with her mother, Lisa Hawkyard, and with her father Dave Johnson

Her mother, Lisa Hawkyard, posted photos of Louisa as a child online shortly before she won X-Factor

Louisa had been living in a £250,000 mid-terrace home in Chafford Hundred until she started on X-Factor

The teenager has taken every chance to perform, singing at weddings, care homes and pubs

Louisa said of her education: 'School was never really for me and I didn't really have the most fun time of my life there, to be honest.

'It was getting me down, and I just didn't want to be there any more and parents were like, "just do what you need to do".

'So I went to a performing arts school – singing, acting, dancing – it was much easier and I was so happy.'

Since she started attending classes at Urban Edge college in Canvey Island, the teenager's celebrity has grown massively in her local area during her campaign to win X-Factor.

She won the Elite Talent finals aged just 16 last year, putting her on the path to paid performances and greater recognition.

Her YouTube channel, set up around the same time, features some professionally shot music videos produced before she first appeared on X Factor. 

She then tried to get on ITV's other talent show, Britain's Got Talent, but was told to try for X Factor instead.

The string of professional gigs she played before appearing on X Factor has led some to claim that she was hardly an amateur and the show is 'fixed'.

Those claims were increased today when it emerged Louisa posted a tweet on Friday - two days before the X Factor final - describing herself as the 'X Factor winner' and encouraging fans to buy her new single.

A spokesman for the singer insisted the post - which was later removed - was due to a technical glitch.

Louisa, her father Dave and brother Fynn were pictured with West Ham star James Tomkins this month

Louisa visited her home with mentor Rita last night and was pictured with her mother and younger sister

Louisa split from her boyfriend, Ellis, shortly after filming for the show started by insists they are still friends

Pupils at her former primary school, St Thomas of Canterbury in Grays, Essex, have made this tribute board

Whatever the truth, Louisa's growing army of fans in Essex are unlikely to care.

When she returned to her former primary school St Thomas of Canterbury, in Gray's Essex earlier this month, hundreds of screaming schoolchildren with home-made posters turned out to greet her and her popstar mentor Rita Ora.

Her growing fame has had its downsides however, and she has admitted dropping to just seven stone in weight last year as a result of her negative feelings.

She told Hello magazine: 'I wanted to change everything about the way I looked last year,' she confessed, referring to her struggles after enrolling on college on a business studies course.

'I was stressed and confused. You wouldn't even recognise me... Now I'm happy being me.'

Louisa is determined to turn her TV win into long-term success. She is now clear favourite to become Christmas number one and this morning told of her plans to 'sell out arenas'.

In his radio interview last month, her builder father said he'd like to build her a big house in Essex with her new-found wealth.

He joked: 'I'll be able to visit her on a Sunday and get a proper dinner in a great big mansion.'  

Louisa pictured with mentor Rita Ora at the moment she heard she had won the competition

Wild celebrations: Louisa's family are pictured celebrating after her win last night after she triumphed over Reggie and Bollie in the live final

The 17-year-old is expected to make millions from album and single sales as well as live performances

Her father Dave also got to come along when Louisa got to meet players at West Ham, the club she and her father have been going to watch ever since she was little.

Louisa said: 'We have always been really big West Ham fans and my dad is the biggest fan in the world.

'I have been to all the games as a season-ticket holder and have been a massive supporter since I was a little girl.'

The visit led to rumours Louisa - who split up with her previous boyfriend during the filming of X Factor - had exchanged texts with rising football star Reece Oxford.

Reece was said to be 'besotted' with the amateur singer, with a source telling TV Biz: 'Reece and Louisa hit it off straight away when they met at the West Ham ground.'

Louisa has also confessed to swapping messages with One Direction's Louis Tomlinson.

She said: 'Louis Tomlinson direct messaged me. He just said, 'Good luck'. It was nice to have support. He's just a normal person.'

Huge crowds turned out to see her when she returned to her former primary school with Rita Ora this month

The teenager, who went to a performing arts college after struggling at school, is a big hit in Chafford Hundred

Louisa Johnson and Rita Ora visit Louisa's house in Essex during the contest earlier this month

But she insisted she does not fancy to superstar, adding: 'He's not really my type.'

As well as an estimated £125,000 advance from Simon Cowell, Louisa is set to make at least £100,000 from the X Factor tour next year before an album could make her millions.

Her mother wrote of Facebook this morning: 'Been trying to find the words to express how I feel at this minute.... I am beyond words as none seem to express the emotions!!

'Beautiful Lou-Lou. You did it!!!!!! It's been amazing, crazy, emotional and hectic but I wouldn't have changed it for the world!

'Thank you to each person who voted, messaged, called, listened, hugged, dryed our eyes, helped us out.

'Words aren't cutting it!! Just know that this journey has been incredible and we are all so grateful for having the opportunity to have been part of it! Louisa Johnson this is your time to fly.'

Louisa appeared on Good Morning Britain where she spoke to hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid

Louisa appeared on a number of shows this morning as she bids to turn her X Factor win into a pop career