The mum of X Factor singer Joe McElderry has revealed that Joe had always hoped to get Cheryl Cole as his mentor and says that when the pair get talking, no one around them can understand their thick Geordie accents.

In an interview with Chroniclelive.co.uk Joe’s mum Eileen said:

“He was hoping to get Cheryl as a mentor,” she said. “Joe says when they get chatting they go into full Geordie lingo and everyone says they can’t understand a word they’re saying!

“She seems really nice and down to earth and she even took my niece, who is a massive fan, into her dressing room to meet her little dog.”

Eileen also added that she has been overwhelmed by the amount of support Joe has received from his local fans.

She said:

“I knew X Factor was massive in London and would be a big thing down there, but I would never have expected the amount of support we’ve received in South Shields and in the North East.

“It’s been amazing and we really appreciate the positive local support. We take him clippings of the Chronicle every week but I don’t think Joe knows the full extent of it here yet. He is really grateful for everyone’s support.”