A campaign to get an X Factor contestant reinstated in the competition has won the backing of his local weekly newspaper after his family asked readers for help on its Facebook page.

The West Sussex County Times has given its support to calls for Nathanael Landskronder to be put back on the ITV reality programme, after another competitor dropped out.

Sixteen-year-old Nathanael, from Horsham, was knocked out of the competition on Sunday after losing his seat in the contest’s six chair challenge, which sees judges narrow down potential winners.

But on Monday night Tom Bleasby, who had been given Nathanael’s seat in the challenge, pulled out of the reality TV show for personal reasons.

After the announcement was made, Nathanael’s sister Bethany took to the County Times Facebook page to urge readers to help get him back on the programme.

She posted: “He really deserves a second chance, and so, we’re trying to get the attention of the judges by tweeting #bringbacknat on Twitter.

“Nathanael’s Twitter is @Natinfinitum where there are links to videos of what he’s really capable of if you’re unsure.

“If you can help, his friends, family and fans would all really appreciate it!”

The newspaper has now also given its official backing to the campaign.

Editor in chief Gary Shipton said: “As a local media company, we’ve known Nathanael Landskroner and his family for a number of years and have reported on his growing success as a singer.

“He is a charming and talented young man and we are delighted to be supporting his X Factor ambitions.

“We believe our campaign will bring him to an even wider audience and wish him every success.”

The winner of the X Factor is awarded a £1m recording contract with judge Simon Cowell’s label, Syco Music.