Monday night saw Villanueva sing three hits to plead with fans as to why they should vote him winner. He’s up against stiff competition Louise Adams, plus duo Jess & Matt.

However senior minister of Figtree’s NewDay Church Brett Gottle said the talented member of his congregation has it in the bag. Villanueva and his parents have been attending the Christian church “where faith is fun” long before Mr Gottle took over as minister eight years ago.

He said it was his wife Jo, the worship minister, who encouraged him as a 13 year old to get involved with the band alongside his father Jo Vill, who’s well known at the church and around the Illawarra for his musical talents also.

“When he first started he stood up the back behind his dad … we’ve had to say ‘come on Cyrus come forward’ and start singing,” he said.

After The X Factor took him overseas to London for filming, the Dapto teen still came back to church ever so grounded, humble, and “deflecting fame”.

Mr Gottle said every week a group from NewDay would head up to Fox Studios in Sydney to show their support in the live audience of the show. Tuesday night he said there’ll be various Cyrus parties going on in his hometown, watching and waiting with popcorn until he is ultimately named winner of the reality talent quest.

Meantime Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Member for Throsby has thrown his support behind the Wollongong contestant in NSW parliament, paying tribute in his speech to the house of representatives on Monday afternoon.

“I can feel it in the air tonight! It is called Cyrus Villanueva.

“Cyrus is a young man who grew up in Dapto in my electorate surrounded by music and a loving family … It is time for Australia to catch the Cyrus virus and back him.”

To vote: call 1902 555 701 or SMS CYRUS to 191 777

#XFactorAu #GoTeamCyrus

Scroll down to leave a message for Cyrus