A few months ago the 16-year-old singing star was so crippled by bullying she could hardly bear to leave the house and begged her mum to stay off school
21:09, 20 Nov 2017Updated 16:36, 28 Nov 2017
Holly Tandy performs for the judges on 'The X Factor'(Image: WENN)
Holly Tandy looked every inch the polished pop star as she belted out songs in front of millions of TV viewers on The X Factor.
But a few months ago the 16-year-old was so crippled by bullying she could hardly bear to leave the house and begged her mum to stay off school.
Holly is now speaking out to back the Mirror’s Christmas appeal highlighting the work of the NSPCC and Childline.
She was plagued during her five years at high school, but she says bullying is only temporary and does not have to stop anyone living their dreams.
Holly Tandy performs for the judges on the popular ITV show(Image: WENN)
Holly adds: “People were saying anything from stuff like I was a bad singer to people wishing I was dead.
“It was quite strong at times and that was really hard for me and my family.
“I always struggled to fit in at school. It was face to face and on social media...
Holly Tandy said she had to beat the bullies(Image: Splash News)
Holly Tandy is back the Mirror Christmas campaign(Image: Syco / Thames)
“I hated school. It got to the point where I stopped speaking to people at school.
“I know now it was mainly about [the bullies’] insecurities, not mine. But at the time I felt absolutely broken.
“I was so confused, I’d always been kind to people at school.”
Holly Tandy attends the UK Premiere of 'Daddy's Home 2' at Vue West End(Image: WireImage)
She got through the ordeal with the help of her family, the school and counselling.
Holly, voted off ITV show The X Factor at the quarter final stage on Sunday night, says the daily torment at school made her tougher and even more determined to become a singer.
Holly, from Barnsley, South Yorks, wants other victims to know that, like her, they can also beat the bullies.
She says: “The main message is you can’t listen to people like that. You can’t let it defeat you. You have to let it make you stronger. I try not to focus on what happened in the past.”
She adds: “I am moving on and I am succeeding. I have to keep remembering how far I have come.”