Devon's X Factor hopeful has again staged a vocal performance to remember during last night's live performance.
Luke Friend had the audience and judges captivated with his performance of Skinny Love, the 2007 hit by American indie folk band Bon Iver.But the 17-year-old singer/songwriter from Teignmouth earned rave reviews when he tackled Mumford & Sons' I Will Wait during the ITV show.
Judge Sharon Osbourne, who last week dubbed him the 'dark horse', told the teenager that it was his "best performance yet" while fellow judge Gary Barlow applauded his 'vibe'.
Sharon said: "Luke that was your best performance yet! You have really, really found yourself. It was so perfect for you, you are in the right place. You are going to be in that final, I know it!"
Gary, meanwhile, told Luke: "This is so great. We want someone who can sell records, has an identity, Luke you have all that! The vibe was fantastic, the whole studio loved it! Well done!"
The reaction was equally good when Luke performed Bon Iver's 2007 hit.
Sharon again lead the chorus of support, saying: "Luke that was not skinny love, that was big juicy love! Every week you up your game, every single week you never plateau, you keep moving up. You are just fantastic. I can see you singing that at Glastonbury next year."
Gary, meanwhile, added: "Good job Luke, bags of personality, loads of identity and that's what it needs. You are coming from nowhere and you are one of the frontrunners for me. I am a massive fan of yours, I really am."
But Nicole Scherzinger gave him an even bigger endorsement, saying: "This is, by far, my favourite performance of yours. Mrs O always says you are a dark horse, you are such a rare breed and when you stick to this lane of music you shine."
His mentor Louis Walsh added: "You stand out from the crowd, you are different and you deserve to get a record deal!"
Luke has gone from busking in the streets of Devon to the final five of the popular ITV show.
He will learn tonight whether the public has cast enough votes to see him through to the next round.
The show begins at 8pm.
