Chafford Hundred’s very own superstar Louisa Johnson surprised local residents when she arrived home for a visit with her mentor, Rita Ora, after making it into the X Factor finals.
Hundreds of residents lined the streets waving posters and spotted the bus in and around Chafford Hundred which stopped off first at Louisa’s former primary school, St Thomas of Canterbury in Ward Avenue, Grays.
Jill Edwards who has worked at the school for more than 20 years, said: “We had such a lovely morning with Louisa. I remember her as a child and she was a very quiet girl who always had a lovely voice. It’s wonderful to see her now, she’s amazing. She spent the morning speaking to her old teachers and to pupils and performed some songs for us in morning assembly. The children were so excited.”
The X Factor bus then left to visit Louisa’s family home in Hawkins Drive, before visiting her secondary school, The Harris Academy.
The local community have been behind Louisa since the show started in August, by putting up posters all over Chafford Hundred and supporting her on social media.
One resident, Kim Massey said on the Chafford Hundred Community page on Facebook: “I voted for Louisa every week and [she] has been my favourite from her first audition. Great girl great voice she has the X Factor!”
Another, Lubna Ali, said: “Well done Louisa Johnson, Chaffordites are proud of you.”
James Fenwick, said: “Good luck to the young girl she may even inspire other youngsters around here.”
Jody Holby said: “It was great meeting her and there was great community spirit.”
Sheril Morris, The Sandmartin pub landlady said: “They parked in our car park but didn’t come in. Myself and my daughter ran down the street to see them. The streets were jam packed with people. Everyone was so excited and so proud of her.”
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