'Nan encouraged me to release my viral song'

Leon Mallett's parody cover of American Boy has been viewed online more than two million times

A former X Factor contestant has thanked his nan for inspiring him to release a song that has gone viral.

Leon Mallett's parody cover of Estelle's American Boy has been viewed online more than two million times.

East Anglian Boy features references and landmarks from across Norfolk, such as Banham Zoo and buying chips from Great Yarmouth's market.

The 29-year-old from Lingwood, Norfolk, said he wrote the song after "a few drinks with friends" and his nan encouraged him to release it.

"She's a Norfolk gal as you'd say, and she just pushed me and pushed me to get it out there," he added.

The 29-year-old reached the live finals of The X Factor in 2017

The song's lyrics include lines such as "seafront donuts four for a pound or Delia's pies at the Norwich ground" – as well as "I really want to, ride the snails with you," which was filmed at Joyland amusement park in Great Yarmouth.

Mr Mallett, who is a professional singer and reached the live finals of The X Factor in 2017, described how queuing for the snails ride in the amusement park was "embarrassing".

"I was on my own waiting to get on and I had my brother filming, and the person who let me sit on the snails looked at me and was like 'what's this guy doing?'.

"I was just sat there going round with everyone looking at me," he added.

The professional singer said he had seen a rise in gig bookings since the song's release

It is not the first time a cover of American Boy has gone viral.

The former BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles recorded a version in 2008 called Somerset Boy, and this was followed with a tribute to East Anglia a year later.

Mr Mallett said he had seen a "big boost" in gig bookings since the song's release.

"At all the local gigs that I'll be doing I know everyone will want me to do that one," he laughed.

"I'm going to be sick of it by the end of the next few weeks."