A rocky start on Saturday night saw their version of the Britney Spears track Hit Me Baby One More Time fail to wow the judges and prompted Simon Cowell, to say they had one song left to stay in the competition.

Aston's mum Siobhan, who was in the audience, said: "It was scary, especially after the comments and seeing how emotional Aston got. He could not even speak.

"They had a real wobbly week last time out and Aston is conscious he had been pushed to the front. He takes the comments more personally and feels he has let them down if it goes badly. He is my boy and I just want to see him happy so to see him break down like that was hard.

"I just wanted to rush on stage and give him a hug."

The judges' comments, however, had the desired effect and a galvanised quartet came storming back with a powerhouse performance of the Whitney Houston track Light Of My Life.

Siobhan added: "I think the judges realised they had knocked Aston's confidence as they said nicer things.

"I was still worried as we have met loads of JLS fans that week and a lot of them said they had not voted because they assumed they were safe."

The boys were spared going down to the wire when host Dermot O'Leary announced they were the first act through.

The relief and joy on their faces as they leapt up and down was a stark contrast to earlier, but for Siobhan it was the worst week yet as she adopted her usual "crash position" in the studio to hear the results.

She said: "I can't look, I just sit with my head down. I thought I had mentally prepared myself, but you never can."

"We stayed behind later than normal after the show as I just wanted to make sure Aston was alright.

"It was going crazy and security needed him to go, but he ran across the room and gave me a quick hug and I got to say well done son."

"We have been so overwhelmed by the support and with The ET and the Queensgate Centre announcements we know it has made a difference.

"I do feel guilty about people's phone bills, but I want to thank everyone in the city so much for voting."