Joe McElderry has already chosen his X Factor favourites for 2011 and has admitted that he will be voting for girl group Rhythmix when they first perform this Saturday.

The former X Factor winner has gotten behind the band – which was put together by the show judges at bootcamp – as he is practically neighbours with South Shields teenagers Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards who make up one half of the group.

Girlbands traditionally fare badly on the ITV series, often being the first acts eliminated during the weekend’s live rounds. However McElderry hopes to help Rhythmix buck the trend and told The Shields Gazette that he’ll be tweeting his followers and asking them to back his favourites, by picking up their phones and voting.

The Popstar To Operastar winner said:

“I’m definitely going to be voting for them. I will be tweeting to get all my followers behind them.

“I think Rhythmix have got a good chance of winning. I think the girls and the groups are the best categories this year. I’m not fussed on the boys’ category.

“I definitely think Jade, Perrie and the rest of the group have the potential to break the girl band curse.

“I will be telling everyone to get voting for them, and I’m sure they will do well.”

“I hope everyone will vote for Rhythmix, and I’m sure they will.”

Rhythmix will be seen performing for the first time on Saturday’s show and yesterday, their mentor Tulisa Contostavlos paid them a visit in the X Factor mansion and cooked her four acts a roast dinner, before preparing for the show.