GRAVESEND’S X Factor star Tamera Foster is looking forward to a future in music now she has left the competition.

The 16-year-old has had a week to take stock after narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot in the ITV contest and is now heading off around the country for live shows, which starts at G-A-Y tomorrow (December 7).

She said: “I’m obviously a bit gutted I had to leave. But I’m 16 and I got to week eight, I think that’s quite cool.

“It has been the most crazy experience I have ever had but at the same time I’m doing what I love. I kind of miss it.

“It has been nice going home but it feels like I’m forgetting to do something.

“I’m starting my gigging around the country and at the end of January we have got the X Factor tour.

“It’s so exciting. It’s everything we’ve all been working for.”

There’s little doubt that the North West Kent College student faces a bright future – Simon Cowell has tweeted his admiration – but she said she will have to wait on the possibility of a record deal.

She said: “At the moment, if anyone was going to get signed we wouldn’t find out until after the show has finished.”

For now though, the teenager said it is nice being home properly for the first time in months.

She said: “It was lovely when I first got home. My mum had bought lots of Christmas movies for us to watch when I got back, so it was nice.

“I saw some friends when I first got back and it’s been really nice because I haven’t been able to spend much time with them over the last few months.

“They think it’s really, really cool. They have been really nice to me and supporting me through everything.”