Reading Mall celebrates Danyl Johnson day

The Oracle shopping centre celebrated a Danyl Johnson day to rally support for the local lad.

Amongst those who turned out were Danyl’s mum Maria, with nephew Malaki, aged two, sister Janine McCubbin and his best mate Richard ‘Mac’ McCallum. Reading Mayor and Mayoress Fred and Jean Pugh, along with Oracle staff, also turned out to lend their support

Richard said: “When Danyl was first on the show the press were going mad, they were all outside our house that we share in Arborfield and it was all a bit weird. It’s calmed down now but they still come round every Thursday and Friday hoping for me to dish some kind of story, which of course I won’t.

“I have been going to the live shows and it has been great to watch him. I am really proud although it is very nerve-racking.

“What you see on the television is not Danyl as a person, he has a very confident stage presence, it’s not cockiness, it’s confidence and when he steps off the stage that is when you get to know the genuine and caring guy that he is.

“There has been a lot of press coverage about his sexuality but to be honest, it is not an issue and it’s actually no-one else’s business.”

Mum Maria Burgess lives in Kent and is very proud of her son.

She said: “X Factor has taken over my life. It is what everything is about at the moment but seeing Danyl on stage is wonderful.

“He has such a natural charm and a twinkle in his eye. He has always stood out as talented, not in an overbearing way but it’s always been there. It’s been an emotional roller coaster but it’s such an amazing experience for Danyl.”

His sister Janine McCubbin, from Emmer Green, added: “The people in Reading have been fantastic and their support is wonderful. If people recognise me in the street they come up and say they’ve been voting for Danyl.

“Of course we would love to see him in the final but whatever happens now, we are so proud of him and we know he is working so hard and doing his best.”