Posted: Tuesday 28th October 2008

This year's twelve X Factor finalists will release a charity single this October in aid of the Help For Heroes charity.

The final twelve acts have recorded a beautiful and emotive cover of Mariah Carey's classic song Hero, and will perform the single for the first time on The X Factor during the live results show on October 25th.

Fans will then be able to download the single at midnight shortly after the performance. A physical release will follow on Monday October 27th.

The single is the first charity release from ITV1's The X Factor, with all net record company proceeds going to Help For Heroes a charity that provides support for wounded servicemen and women.

Help For Heroes was set up a year ago, by Bryn and Emma Parry and a group of friends and relations, many of who had connections with serving servicemen and women. Bryn and his wife Emma wanted to do something to help the wounded and Help For Heroes was born. Help For Heroes has to date raised more than £12.5 million in just under a year. The funds raised by the song will be shared at H4H's request with the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. The RBL has cared for Servicemen, women and their families since its foundation in 1921.

Bryn Parry says: "Everyone at Help For Heroes is thrilled to hear that The X Factor is supporting our boys and girls. We hope the public will do their bit to make this a hit single and demonstrate that we really care".

The twelve acts performing on the single are the 14 - 24 boys Austin Drage, Eoghan Quigg and Scott Bruton, 14 - 24 girls Laura White, Diana Vickers and Alexandra Burke, over 25s Daniel Evans, Rachel Hylton, Ruth Lorenzo and groups Bad Lashes, Girlband and JLS.

For more information on Help For Heroes go to