KATIE Waissel survived a tense sing-off to stay in The X Factor, as her family and friends looked on.

Her mother, Diana, told the Gazette that the 'real Katie' shone through in her second live performance, when singing to survive, and that she was coping well with the negative publicity that has surrounded her so far.

The 24-year-old from Harefield performed the Queen classic We Are The Champions on Saturday night and received a mixed response from the judges.

A phone vote then placed her in the bottom three acts on Sunday and she had to perform again, convincing the judges to keep her in the show with an impressive rendition of The Beatles song, Don't Let Me Down.

"It was surreal, it was nerve-racking," Mrs Waissel said, "but the whole aura, the excitement was fantastic."

Eight of Katie's family and friends went to Fountain Studios in Wembley to see the live TV broadcasts, and will be there again this weekend.

After singing We Are The Champions, during which Katie also played keyboard, judge Louis Walsh remarked that she was 'more style than substance'.

But Simon Cowell said he liked her originality.

However, Katie's colourful attire failed to impress Dannii Minogue and Mrs Waissel admitted it was not an outfit her daughter would have gone for.

"It was picked out for her - it was not something she chose.

"But she was the only one who played an instrument that night and when she sang that song to save herself, what she was wearing she chose herself and that was the real Katie.

"She has had so much publicity but she is coping well, she is a fighter. She hasn't taken someone's place - they want her there.

"When someone works at something for a long time, they deserve something back."

And Mrs Waissel issued another rallying cry for this Saturday's show, airing live again on ITV1 at 7.30pm.

"We need to get everyone to vote for her; we need to support our local girl. Everyone has come into the shop and said she was fantastic. The phone hasn't stopped ringing."

Katie's family are not the only ones giving her their full backing. HOB Salons, in Northwood, where she worked as a receptionist for five years, is cheering her on too.

Akin Konizi, hairdresser of the year and creative director, said: "HOB Salons is supporting Katie every step of the way.

"Her passion for music is unmistakable and as a long-standing member of the HOB team, we are really proud of her."