"Friendie" army flocks to Luke's Exeter homecoming

Hundreds of committed fans braved the winter weather to welcome Luke Friend back home.

The atmosphere was electric outside the University of Exeter’s Great Hall as an army of “friendies” descended on his red carpet entrance.

The 17-year-old, X Factor star hugged lucky fans and signed autographs as he walked down the aisle before heading inside to start his exclusive homecoming gig.

The event was a sell-out with some fans having been waiting since 4am on Tuesday to get a ticket.

Louis Walsh also accompanied his young protégé’s trip past adoring fans saying that they had “Luke Fever”.

Earlier in the day Luke visited his school, Coombeshead  Academy in Newton Abbot  near his hometown Teignmouth.

Fans were reminded to vote for Luke in this weekend’s finals to see Devon’s Golden boy become this year’s  X Factor winner.