Danyl's unseen POX; FACTOR FAVE'S STAR QUALITY SECRET SNAPS.

Byline: JAMES ORR 

HERE'S hunky Danyl Johnson showing the kind of form that has made him the bookies' favourite to win X Factor.

Whether he's playing a Dickensian urchin in Oliver! or performing X-rated gyrations with a boy band, Danyl was determined to make it big. These unseen pictures of the 27-year-old teacher - whose first audition was praised by Simon Cowell as the best he''d seen in his nine years as a judge - reveals he''s always wanted to sing and dance.

The handsome heart-throb from Reading - who worked in Gap before seeking fame - is the bookies'' choice to romp away with this year's X Factor title ahead of next Saturday''s first live finals.

Anthony Papadopoulos, a member of Danyl''s former boy band Upfrunt, said yesterday: "Danyl has gone from working in Gap stacking shelves to the last 12 on The X-Factor. He's just like Justin Timberlake. He dances and sings so well."

The first of our exclusive snaps reveals Danyl on stage with Upfrunt at a festival in Walthamstow, East London. The group got together five years ago and was managed by Anthony''s brother Andrew.

But their hopes of hitting the big time soon faded despite hours of dance practice and gruelling gigs where they were often accompanied on stage by stunning blonde dancers.

In fact, crooner Danyl''s path to fame hasn't been an easy one. The wannabe idol started out at the Starmaker theatre school in Reading, which also boasts actress Kate Winslet as a former pupil.

While there he appeared in numerous stage productions including Oliver! at the Wilde Theatre, in Bracknell in 2000. Our pictures show him taking centre stage in a blue shirt and green tie.

Off stage, however, and it seems that Danyl is equally at home with being the centre of attention.

In one late-night party snap he casually flicks a V-sign at the camera while sporting a red England football shirt and drinking a beer. And in another the rising star poses alongside Big Brother's Kate Lawler at a showbiz bash.

CAPTION(S):

FEET FIRST Winning Pubstars Karaoke in 2006 SING STAR Best audition OH BOY: Danyl with former band Street Level SO SAUCY: Singing with Upfrunt V IS FOR VICTORY: In relaxed mood at a late-night party ARTFUL: Danyl takes to stage in Oliver! NATURE BOY: Camping with pals EARLY DAYS: His sights set on success TWO'S COMPANY: Soaking up the attention of a female fan