X FACTOR semi-finalist Danyl Johnson performed in the town centre as part of the late night shopping entertainment.

About 150 listened to renditions of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror and The Beatles' With a Little Help From My Friends.

Danyl, in Barnsley for the first time, told the Chronicle: "It's nice to do some free gigs. Not everyone can make it to the tour so it's nice to give something back to the people who have voted, and not just for me.

"The crowd have been lovely, people are sweet and friendly."

He said being a teacher was similar to performing and instead of standing in front of a class, was now standing in front of crowds.

When asked about the public backlash against him, during which he was branded 'arrogant' and 'overconfident', Danyl said: "I think the judges maybe had something to do with that but they were only looking out for their own acts. Jamie and Olly were amazing and Jamie didn't have an easy ride. I saw the polls and I won a few of them, If I was so hated then I wouldn't have won them."

He praised his mentor, Simon Cowell, despite reports of a rocky relationship.

"He is absolutely amazing. Everyone says you don't get that much time with him but he looks out for you. He's brilliant and you can give him a call anytime."

Danyl spent about 30 minutes chatting to fans, signing autographs and posing for photos.

Nicola Cornthwall, 32, of Great Houghton, waited over an hour and a half to watch her idol and asked him to sign the back of her white coat.

She said: "I enjoyed it and it was worth the wait.

"Danyl was my favourite on the X-Factor. I was so upset when he got voted off I was screaming at the television. He was nice on the television but he's even nicer in real life and should have won."

Other performers on Wednesday were the Barnsley College Student Band and Barnsley Samba Band.