A HIGHCLIFFE schoolgirl rubbed shoulders with X Factor stars after a special invitation from the show’s bosses.

Nine-year-old Madeleine Woodifield travelled to London with a group of youngsters to meet the popular show’s contestants and watch them rehearse ahead of the programme.

Madeleine was diagnosed in January 2013 with an epidermoid cyst in her brain.

The growth was discovered after a fall in the playground at school led to excruciating headaches and lethargy.

She underwent surgery to remove 95 per cent of the cyst and is now back at school but still suffers health problems.

The visit followed a special invitation from the programme makers for children affected by brain tumours who are supported by The Brain Tumour Charity.

Madeleine, who travelled to The X Factor studios in London with mum Fiona, dad Keith and sisters Marianne, Grace and Francesca, said: “The whole afternoon was amazing. The contestants were so friendly and it was brilliant watching them rehearse their songs.”

Contestants including Lauren Platt, Ben Haenow and Stereo Kicks, above right, spent time chatting with the children, signing autographs and posing for pictures before taking to the stage at Fountain Studies for the dress rehearsal.

Ben said: “It’s an honour to have families from The Brain Tumour Charity here. What great kids – it was lovely to meet them.”

During the practice run, The X Factor host Dermot O’Leary came over to chat to the families, praising The Brain Tumour Charity for ‘fighting the fight’ against the disease that kills more children in the UK than any other type of cancer.

Elissa Coster, children and families worker for The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “It was an unforgettable experience for the children.”