THREE Oxfordshire singers aiming for global stardom have vowed to defy critics after appearing on television talent show The X Factor.

Amy Nash, from Jericho, Ebony Cantwell, from Wantage, and Renetta Eagle, from Headington, are part of five-girl band PYT.

The young hopefuls, who appeared on Sunday’s episode of the ITV contest, were overjoyed after getting through to the second round.

But King Alfred’s Academy student Ebony said PYT, which stands for Pretty Young Thing, had to deal with negative comments from critics on social media.

The 17-year-old added: “The more you hear it the stronger you get.

“They just want to rant about something. It’s sad that some people feel they need to hate you.”

The band, which also includes Naomi Mulumbala, from South London, and Tonia Gigli, from Essex, both 21, impressed judges with their rendition of Amerie’s 2007 hit Gotta Work.

Judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, who found fame with band Girls Aloud, praised the group for their “powerhouse” voices, while fellow judge and Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw said he liked their “energy” and “vibe”.

The X Factor performance earned PYT the four golden yeses that take them into the Boot Camp round on Sunday.

Former Cherwell School student Renetta, 20, said: “It is a massive dream come true. We just want to make Oxfordshire really proud. We have got amazing singers in this county .”

Amy, 18, who is splitting her time between the band and studying music at City of Oxford College, went to the Cherwell School with Renetta.

She met her bandmates more than four months ago after joining auditions for a new girl band. She said: “We have all jelled really quickly.”