X Factor star Leon Mallett performs at Acle Academy

Brothers Leon and Alex Mallett return to Acle Academy to perform for the staff and students. Student Emma Mewse, left, gets a selfie with Alex and Leon and drama teacher Selina White, who taught the brothers. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Leon, 22, who has made it through to the next stage of the competition, was joined by his younger brother Alex, 18, who was eliminated on last week's show.

The brothers were greeted with a rapturous reception from over 450 students at the academy, with teachers having to hold pupils back as the excitement escalated.

The pair performed a song each to a chorus of screams before closing with a duet.

After the show, the brothers stuck around to pose for photographs, sign autographs and answer questions.

Brothers Leon and Alex Mallett return to Acle Academy to perform for the staff and students. Alex and Leon in the middle, pictured with students, left to right, Josh Bryant, Harvey Hicks, Emma Mewse and Charlotte Napier-Smith. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Predictably, most pupils wanted to know whether Leon had made it through to the next round of show, and predictably, neither were forthcoming with an answer.

Leon did reveal, however, that Simon Cowell is not as scary as he seems on the TV.

The brothers initially entered this year's X Factor as a duo called ITG (In the Genetics), making it through to Bootcamp where Simon Cowell decided to split the pair.

But Alex said he harboured no hard feelings and was pleased his brother had progressed in the competition.

The pair said it meant a huge amount to them to return to a place where they both had so many special childhood memories.

Helen Watts, head of school, was delighted that the Malletts had taken the time to return to their former school.

She said: 'We were incredibly grateful to them both for coming in.

'It was absolutely wonderful to see them perform and we are wishing Leon the best of luck going forward in the competition.'

Two particularly tech-savvy students arranged it so that photographs could be printed and singed in the hall, and the pair were more than happy to oblige.

PA to the assistant head, Helen Lambert thought it was an admirable gesture.

She said: 'It was amazing. They did a really good job and they made the time to stay around for loads of questions and pictures.

'The school went mental - we weren't expecting it to be quite so mental to be honest.

'Now we're just hoping Leon makes it through to the next round.

'Maybe in the future we'll have to see if we can convince them to come back and perform again.'