CHRISTMAS will come early for a St Albans toddler battling a rare form of cancer when the winner of this year's X Factor pays a visit to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Enda Walker, of Drakes Drive, was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in February and has since been receiving chemotherapy at London's children's hospital, where he will remain until after the new year.

The rare cell condition, which has been closely linked to cancer, attacked two-year-old Enda's vital organs including his liver, spleen and bone marrow, confining him to a hospital bed for months.

His dad Johnny told the Review: "He was really ill. He couldn't walk for about two or three months.

"He more or less withered away. He had skinny arms and legs. He really went downhill."

But sure to put a smile back on the little boy's face will be a special visit from the winner of ITV's hit talent show the X Factor, who will be crowned on Saturday night.

Joe McElderry may be the hot favourite, but Enda is placing his bets on 19-year-old Stacey Solomon - the only remaining female contestant - as the clear winner.

"He likes Stacey, Stacey is his favourite," Johnny said.

"He's always cheering when he sees her singing."

Last month X Factor finalists took an emotional tour of the wards meeting sick children, including Enda, after recording their charity single - a cover of Michael Jackson's single You Are Not Alone.

"They were all emotional but they were there for a good cause," Johnny explained.

"They were choked up, but they did their best to keep a smile on their face."

Enda is on the road to recovery and will undergo his third and final dose of chemo before Christmas.

Johnny said: "He's a totally different lad, he's full of beans. He's always smiling, now he's happy.

"If you used to go into his room he told the nurses to go away, now he's telling them to come in. He knows all the nurses, doctors, cleaners - every one of them."

The family, including mum, Martina, and 11-year-old brother Callum, have planned to spend Christmas at the hospital.

Friends of Enda's parents have also raised around £15,000 for the little boy and a special cheque presentation has been organised for this Friday.

"The support we have had from people has been great," Johnny said. "It's been a struggle for everybody. The whole family has been hit hard.

"We just want our lad back."