X Factor auditions return to region
THIRD TIME LUCKY? ... X Factor winners Perrie and Jade of Little Mix, above, and Joe McElderry, inset.
SOUTH Tyneside could notch up an X Factor hat-trick after the top-rated talent show announced it is coming to the North East to hold auditions.
Producers of the hit ITV1 programme are coming back to Newcastle looking for new stars – after a six-year boycott of the region
That means budding stars in South Tyneside will have the chance to follow in the footsteps of South Shields singers Joe McElderry, who scooped the winner’s crown in 2009, and Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall, who took the top spot last year.
Perrie’s mum, Debbie Dufty, from Whiteleas, South Shields, said the girls would be thrilled to know the auditions were being held so close to home.
She said: “With three past winners coming from South Shields, it’s only right that they bring the auditions to the North East.
“The girls will be really pleased to hear that.
“They are on holiday in Barbados at the moment ahead of the X Factor Live tour starting.”
She added: “I think the auditions coming here is great news for the region. There is obviously a lot of talent here.” Every year, thousands flock to get on stage in front of the judges with the hope of making it on to the live shows and securing a recording contract
In recent years, people from the North East have had to travel to Glasgow or Manchester, to enter the competition.
The last time the X Factor brought its auditions to Newcastle was in 2006 when they were held at St James’s Park.
Joe, 20, from Westoe, South Shields, is also sure to be delighted with the news.
In 2009, he questioned television bosses over why there were no auditions in the region.
Speaking at the time, he said: “I asked one of the producers why the auditions aren’t here, and they said they go to the four main cities, so I said ‘get to Newcastle then’.”
The X Factor auditions take place at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, on March 10.
For an application form or more information, visit www.xfactor.itv.com.
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bohemianblogger
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:49 PMThe four main cities? I think leaving out Newcastle has been snobbery more than anything else. Just ask students where they'd rather be, Newcastle or one of those over priced 'cities' down south. Newcastle attracts students from all over the world and the Geordie accent is recognised and loved universally, come on Cowell you even have Ant and Dec on your show.
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