Boyband Kingsland is one step closer to their X Factor dream after making it through to the judge’s houses on the ITV talent show.

The Hackney-based five-piece impressed judge and mentor Gary Barlow on Sunday night’s show with their performance of Stevie Wonder’s For Once in My Life.

In a new spin for the show, they were competing for one of six spaces with the judges able to make swaps depending on their favoured acts. But Kingsland saw off bands including Next of Kin and Tenors of Rock to make it through to the next round.

However, their performance to the 5,000-strong crowd wasn’t perfect, with the Take That judge telling them: “The vocals weren’t great individually tonight but when you sang as a group it was really seamless. You have definitely got everything you need to be the next big boyband, you really have. Take a seat you’re in my top six.”

Nicole Scherzinger said: “I love that you came prepared and well rehearsed, you are super cute. Great job guys.” Sharon Osbourne added: “You guys have such potential.”

Josh, Matt, Connor, Thompson and Jay, who are aged between 19 and 24, currently share a two bedroom flat in Haggerston, having previously lived in Shoreditch and Homerton.

During bootcamp they admitted to the judges that two of them had lost their bar jobs after stepping up their band rehearsals. But if next week’s show goes to plan, it could see a reversal in their fortunes.

The band told the cameras: “The X Factor has helped us to bond more and come together more as a group. Nine months ago we were sitting in a pub and saying ‘Oh we should give that a try.’ Thinking that we are here now is just mind blowing.”

The next round of judging takes place at Gary Barlow’s base in New York, where guest judge Olly Murs will help to choose his final three acts. They’ll be competing against bands Rough Copy, Code 4, Brick City, Xyra and newly-formed girl group Stop Look Listen.

The X Factor continues on Saturday at 8pm on ITV1.