Honey G – the self-styled “Harrow’s finest” rapper – will be trying to make it through to the next round of the X Factor when she performs in this year’s first live show tonight.

Real name Anna Georgette Gilford, Ms G has risen to almost-stardom through her eclectic performances on the popular ITV show.

She has been mobbed by schoolchildren in Harrow (or “North Weezy” to her fans) eager to get a selfie with the reality star.

But Honey G has also drawn criticism and lots of debate amongst viewers, with some thinking she is a spoof or fake act.

Simon Cowell even described her as “a joke” after her first audition.

But the recruitment boss insists she is 100 per cent committed to becoming a rapper full time.

In an interview with the Mirror, she said: “Honey G is me. I’m not Jay Z, I’m not Drake, I’m not Lil Wayne, I’m not Missy Elliott, I’m Honey G. I grew up as a very, very young child singing to blues records, rock and roll records, jive records.

“I then moved into piano and guitar. I’ve come from a musical family, my mum’s a retired pianist.

“I grew up with piano and guitar playing like Michael Jackson, George Michael and Jamiroquai – blues and rock and roll on the piano.

“Then in the early 2000’s, you know I started raving when I was 14. I was very tall when I was young and I could get in anywhere I wanted to. So I was in the dance scene at a very young age.

“Then my early twenties I started DJing in the North West of the UK and I launched my own club night which was called Love Vibe which was dedicated to promoting mainly urban female talent.”

A petition calling for the X Factor to ditch Honey G and bring back dropped contestant Samantha Atkinson has gained thousands of signatures since it was started earlier this week.

The X Factor is on from 8pm tonight and tomorrow.