X Factor singer, Rachel Adedeji was born three months early and passed away twice during her first few days.

Rachel was born prematurely with a whole plethora of health problems and her parents believe that her difficult start to life has helped her develop her strong sassy streak.

Dad Ray told The Sun: “She was supposed to be born in November but actually arrived in August. She was really, really small and weighed about the same as a bag of sugar.

“She passed away twice and was brought back to life with the help of oxygen. It was an awful time.”

He added: “But she’s a fighter. She wasn’t in hospital long and just got stronger and stronger.”

Rachel’s aunt, Layo, added: “She was covered in tubes, but she never gives in – that’s why she’s here now.”

Rachel cried after her performance on Sunday night and again when Simon Cowell saved her for the second time.

Layo added: “Rachel’s normally a happy girl but she cried on Sunday. The last time I saw her cry was when she was a little baby. It broke her father’s heart.”

Ray added: “It was really tough to watch, I can’t go through that again.”