North-East Bingo Players Support X Factor's Joe

The bingo caller of the year has voiced his support for X Factor hopeful Joe.

Staff and players at the Mecca Bingo venue in South Shields are united in their support for X Factor hopeful Joe McElderry, it has emerged.

According to the Shields Gazette, workers at the bingo club frequently encourage members to vote for the 18-year-old singer, who grew up in the South Tyneside town.

Bingo caller of the year Blake Robson told the newspaper that staff at the numbers game venue are hoping Joe will call in when he returns home to South Shields.

"He's more than welcome to come along any time he likes," Mr Robson said.

"We all think Joe is great and has lots of talent, so we're hoping he does very well and ends up winning the show."

The Shields Gazette recently revealed that Joe had hopes to become a doctor or a paramedic before setting his sights on a singing career.

Welsh teenager Lucie Jones became the latest contestant to be eliminated from The X Factor on Sunday (November 8th) after losing in a public vote to John and Edward.