Portly Pop Idol finalist Rik Waller has backed his friend Che Chesterman to win this year's X Factor.

Soul-singing contestant Che used to live in the same street as Rik, who first heard him sing at a karaoke party at Che's house.

"He's quite a big guy, not quite as big as myself, but he sings a lot of Stevie Wonder and a lot of soul music," Rik said.

"The guy is incredible. He'll make a fair impact on the show if he gets through. I think they'd be stupid not to put him through, but you never know what they're looking for."

Rik, 23, reached the top 10 on the first series of Pop Idol on ITV1, but he was forced to pull out after an ill-timed throat infection.