Cheryl Cole is set to spend Christmas morning home alone, as her husband Ashley has to go and train for a football match.

With his team Chelsea set to play on Boxing Day, Ashley and his team mates have to spend the first part of the day on the training pitch.

The Fight For This Love singer said: “He spends Christmas on the training ground. It’s not very romantic. He opens his presents and then goes off to his training happy.”

But, the X Factor judge was still looking forward to the day, as she has invited family members round to open their presents with her and her dogs.

Geordie Cheryl admitted she was looking forward to the break after working hard on the X Factor and her solo career.

Self-confessed soap fan Cheryl will have plenty to keep her entertained on Christmas Day, with the Daily Mail reporting that Archie Mitchell is due to be killed off in Eastenders and Sally Webster announcing she has breast cancer in Corrie.

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Joe McElderry got a taste of what his new showbiz life is going to be like as he embarked on his first week as The X Factor’s winner.

On Monday – just hours after winning The X Factor – 18-year-old Geordie Joe McElderry was up at 4.30am to start a day of interviews and photo shoots with the world’s media, which of course included a chat with new!.

After grilling him about Cheryl Cole and his plans for the future, we were keen to get to the bottom of his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend Carly Dilbert’s claims that he was bullied by his classmates, who called him “gay boy” and “mummy’s boy”.

Joe tells new!, “I don’t know where those stories came from! I wasn’t bullied at all. I found that whole thing funny. It’s amazing what people make up for a bit of money.

“I’m straight,” he adds, before revealing, “I haven’t slept with anyone, but I’m concentrating on my music.”

Here, the South Shields singer exclusively tells new! why he doesn’t fancy Cheryl, what he looks for in a girl, and how Olly Murs coped with being in second place…

Congratulations, Joe! How are you feeling?
I feel good. Very excited!

What was going through your head when you won?
I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it. I thought I was going to come second.

How is Olly coping with losing out?
Olly’s great. He was all right about it and was happy for me. We decided whoever wins, we’ll be happy for them. I thought Olly would win and he thought I was going to win. I’ve spoken to him today and he’s good.

Who were you closest to on the show?
Olly, Stacey [Solomon] and Rachel [Adedeji]. I loved all three of them. I’ve spoken to them all today and they are the ones I’ll miss most.

What do you make of the accusations that your first single The Climb was chosen for you?
We were given a selection of songs to sing a couple of weeks ago and this is the one we all liked the best. It really describes our journey on The X Factor and why we’re all here. It wasn’t just me who liked it – we all did!

Have you been in touch with Cheryl since winning?
Yes, we’ve been texting each other loads. She texted me today to say that she’s still really emotional and she still can’t believe I won.

Will you two keep in touch?
Definitely. She’s been great because she knows what it’s like and what I’ve been through. I was really lucky to have her as a mentor. And before the show, she made such an effort to boost me up, even though she was very emotional!

Do you fancy Cheryl?
She’s gorgeous, but I see her like a big sister!

Have you been to her home?
We tried to arrange it, but we were so busy it just wasn’t possible.

What are your plans for Christmas?
I’m going home for a few weeks to spend time with my family. I don’t know what I’m doing for New Year’s Eve yet. Everything’s been happening so fast, I haven’t planned anything!

What is the first thing you will buy when you get paid?
I want to buy a bigger house for me and my family. I don’t know what I’ll get my family for Christmas, but it has to be something special.

Will you buy Cheryl a Christmas present?
Yes! I have to get her something really nice, to say thank you for everything she’s done for me on The X Factor. I might get her something for her dogs.

Was her husband Ashley at the final?
Yes, and I spoke to him afterwards, but everything was such a blur! I met him a couple of weeks ago and he’s so nice. He was encouraging and just a lovely person.

How did you find Simon Cowell?
He was gutted that Olly didn’t win, but he was lovely to me and told me I’d done brilliantly. When I first met him, he was really scary. For the first few weeks, I couldn’t have a conversation with him because he was so intimidating. It’s because he’s “Simon Cowell” and has this aura around him.

How did it feel when your ex sold a story on you?
It’s just funny. I guess it happens and it’s amazing to see what people will do when they are in that situation. Also, people make things up. I don’t know where half the stuff comes from. I’m just taking it all on the chin.

Was it true you were bullied and called homophobic names at school?
No, and I have no idea where that came from – I wasn’t bullied at all.

There were rumours that Simon wanted to give you a makeover. Would you ever get your teeth straightened like Cheryl did?
That’s something I’ll have to think about if it becomes an issue! I’d never get plastic surgery done on my face.

What do you go for in a girl?
They must have a good personality and be fun.

Who is your celebrity crush?
Beyoncé [Knowles]. She’s beautiful.

Was it the right decision to pull out of The X Factor when you were 15?
Definitely. I was too young and I wouldn’t have got as far as I have now. I’m happy how everything worked out.

The papers say Simon is set to make you the next Zac Efron. Would you like that?
I wouldn’t mind it! Right now, I’m concentrating on the album and my singing. But if the opportunity came up in the future, I wouldn’t mind pursuing it. I’d like to do acting, but for now I’m focusing on my music.

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CHERYL Cole should not have to lose her Geordie accent to make it big in the US.
Dating website I Love Your Accent found it was a huge turn-on for fellas in America’s South.

Executives from TV network NBC had found the X Factor judge incomprehensible when they met with her.

But website boss Rochelle Peachy said: “Our research shows Northern accents, Geordie in particular, are popular in the deep south.

“There’s no difficulties in translation.”

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Le Sapeurs “a subculture of slum-dwelling men in the Congo who dress in luxurious handmade suits”

“A Congolese sapeur is a happy man even if he does not eat,
because wearing proper clothes feeds the soul and gives pleasure to the body.”

The charver culture is obviously worldwide.

Le Sapeurs “a subculture of slum-dwelling men in the Congo who dress in luxurious handmade suits”

“A Congolese sapeur is a happy man even if he does not eat,
because wearing proper clothes feeds the soul and gives pleasure to the body.”

The charver culture is obviously worldwide.

Joe McElderry and Cheryl Cole have been personally invited to dine with George Michael.

The singer duetted with McElderry during last weekend’s show, which saw the Geordie crowned the winner of this year’s contest.

And now Michael has invited Joe and his mother (who is a big fan of the ex-Wham! singer), along with mentor Cheryl Cole and husband Ashley, round to his place for dinner.

“He’s given Joe his address and asked him to RSVP when he gets a spare second.” The insider told the Mirror. “Joe’s mum is a massive George fan and can’t believe it.

“She says she will be too excited to speak on the night.”

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As we name Cheryl Cole our Woman Of The Year, we ask a team of celebrity experts to analyse the qualities that make our favourite Geordie lass so great..

This has truly been Cheryl Cole’s year. In 12 months the gorgeous Geordie has graced the cover of Vogue, smashed the charts with her No.1 album and made her mark as the new face of L’Oreal.

Not to mention her massive success on X Factor, winning the show for the second year in a row – this time with Joe McElderry thanks to her savvy song choices and great mentoring.

Venturing away from the success and security of Girls Aloud was a risk but, for Cheryl, it’s paid off more than anyone could have imagined.

So, as we bestow the title of Woman of the Year on the lovely Mrs Cole, our team of celebrity experts explain just what it is that gives Cheryl the X Factor.

Likeability..

Mirror columnist (and fellow Geordie) Sue Carroll

“By rights “By rights we shouldn’t like Cheryl Cole at all. She’s ridiculously pretty, a fashion goddess, Simon Cowell’s right-hand girl, talented, very, very rich and the cover girl for L’Oreal. I mean, what’s to like? But the backlash hasn’t happened.

“Blokes think she’s hot, mums love her and daughters aspire to be her. I was at the BBC the other day where Cheryl was recording her TV special. Afterwards we lurked around Studio One hoping to catch a glimpse, maybe she’d pop out for a fag. She didn’t, but I bet if she had, there wouldn’t have been anything uppity about Cheryl.

“In a world of manufactured celebs she remains the authentic Geordie lass with the unchanging Tyneside accent and slightly amazed expression of a girl who can’t quite believe her luck.

“When she sheds tears for those wannabes at X-Factor auditions we know she feels their pain because she’s been that vulnerable kid desperate for a break.

“That’s why we get Cheryl, we know how she ticks and where she’s coming from. For all the adulation she’s still a lass from a council estate who loves her mam, dogs and husband (not necessarily in that order) and could, so easily, be working behind a counter in Newcastle’s Metro Centre.

“Only a well-grounded, outspoken Geordie lass would have the balls to call Peaches Geldof “up herself”. Because, you know what, we can spot a phoney from a thousand miles.”

Music.. Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills

“Cheryl’s the girl of the moment in every way. People in the industry love her because she really is a nice person – I saw her on Saturday night when I went to watch X Factor and what you see on the telly is what you get in real life.

“Cheryl is doing amazingly well musically because she’s working with all the right people who give her the cool edge lots of female pop stars struggle to achieve.

“Her first solo single Fight for this Love was a no-brainer. As soon as I heard it I knew it would be a hit. It’s cool enough for Radio 1, but works well for places like Heart FM or Radio 2. She gets great pop records – the Saturdays would kill for them – and producers know they’re on to a winner with her.

“The second song 3 Words with Will.i.am is more of a grower, but I absolutely love it. It’s dead sexy and grown up. Even if people didn’t love the record, they’d still buy it because it’s Cheryl so it’s going to be massive anyway. If I was to describe her stuff in three words, I’d say sassy, cool and ‘now’.

Style..

Style guru and fashion presenter for GMTV, Mark Heyes

“This year’s X Factor has cemented Cheryl as a fashion icon. It was evident early on, visually at least, that this year’s show was going to be all about her outfits. Not only has she shown her knack for being one step ahead of current trends, such as the military look, which she wore for her performance on the show, but she has also been quite daring with quite a lot of her choices.

“The Atelier Versace lampshade-style dresses she wore in red and gold show she is not afraid to try styles that other celebrities wouldn’t. She has had a bit of stick but it showed she is prepared to push the boundaries and not just opt for the boring Little Black Dress option. And because of that viewers have been tuning in each week to see what she is wearing as much as to see performers.”

Fashion..

Mirror Fashion Director, Amber Morales

When Cheryl appeared in Pop Stars the Rivals in 2002 no one could have predicted the style icon she’d become. Now, we just can’t wait to see her latest outfit. On this year’s X Factor she championed up and coming young British design talent. Here are the highlights..

Hair..

Stylist to the stars Andrew Barton

“Cheryl’s hair is fantastic and fully deserving of style-icon status for 2009. The volume she achieves is amazing and makes her hair look glamorous and sexy. Her decision to get rid of some length and go for her new shorter look proves that she has the confidence and natural style to pull off any look she tries.

“The new shoulder-length, tousled look is dead sexy and makes Cheryl look more youthful and vibrant.

“There has been lots of press attention recently on Cheryl removing her extensions, but as far as I can see it looks like there are still a few extensions in her hair.

“Girls love Cheryl’s hair so much because it always looks shiny, healthy, luscious and thick. Above all it is always perfectly groomed.

“For ladies who want to get the look, try a volumising hair mousse.

“And one amazing thing she’s done recently are the really classy chignons and buns she’s been wearing on the X Factor.

“That look has really elevated her from WAG to classic and elegant.”

Beauty..

Mirror beauty expert Madeline Crisp

“Cheryl is a natural beauty who obviously has a fantastic makeup artist, and she’s picked up a lot of tricks over the years. Her signature look is very sexy and classic with simple smoky eyes, glossy skin and nude lips. She often frames her eyes with thick false eyelashes and mascara and defines them with eyeliner.

“And to help make her eyes even more striking Cheryl has her eyebrows perfectly groomed and arched. They make her look alert, bright-eyed and always interested.

“Cheryl has also had fantastic cosmetic dentistry so she’s got the ultimate Hollywood smile. Her teeth weren’t perfect when she first appeared on the scene with Girls Aloud, but now they’re stunningly white and straight.

“Occasionally, Cheryl moves away from the usual nude lips and wears amazing bright-red or pink lipstick. She’s got such a great olive skin tone she can get away with colour and gets it right by toning down her eyes.

“Unlike her bandmate Nicola Roberts who embraces her pale skin, Cheryl makes the most of fake tan in a really subtle way. She doesn’t go all out like some other WAGs but just uses it for a nice natural glow.

“When she wears her trademark short dresses she combines tan perfectly with a body gloss to make her legs look longer and even more amazing.”

Nov 22: This fuchsia mini by Jean Paul Braganza was one of Cheryl’s more demure outfits. It fitted her like a glove, showing off her pretty figure.

Dec 6: Cheryl really went for it in this dramatic black and gold shimmery gown. It initially looked like her usual sexy style, but it has a flowing train at the back.

Oct 17: This amazing reddisc dress by Atelier Versace caused a stir. It was made exclusively for Cheryl and it emphasised her tiny waist.

Nov 21: One of our favourite looks was this quirky orange dress by Giles Deacon. Cheryl wore it with a little bow in her hair and shoe boots.

Oct 31: Her most controversial outfit. Designed by newcomer David Koma critics slated it, but we admire Cheryl for trying something cutting edge.

Nov 15: This corset dress by Richard Nicoll is ahead of the game. “Underwear as outerwear” is going to be massive next season.

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A gem for you, man pet.

Eeeee, worra rip! In Cheryl Cole’s Night In (ITV 1, Saturday, 6.30pm) presenter Holly Willoughby announces she’ll be “digging deep for secrets.”

She must have been doing that bit during the ad breaks. The closest you get to incisive questions from Holly during this hour-long plug for Chezza’s album is: “Simon Cowell. Love him? Hate him?” and “Do you think he might fancy you a little bit?”

“Did you ever dare to dream that you would have achieved all you have?” she poses. “Do you like vacuous questioning on your own TV special?”

I may have made this last one up. But perhaps, somewhere, there is a late-night version in which Miss Willoughby actually crawls inside Cheryl’s colon.

Ever the professional, wor Chezza smiles sweetly, dutifully reels off an anecdote or two about Simon Cowell – “he sez wor had the pursonalitee uf ah snay-el” – and looks faintly embarrassed as Will.I.Am describes her as “not only a great singer and a beautiful woman, but a great lyricist.”

We learn what makes her tick when she’s not on telly – “Me dogs. Me famalee. Coronation Street wi’ a hobnob, liek.” And that it takes two hours for her hair and make-up to be done on the X Factor. And she likes junk food. And, er, that’s about it. Nowt about hubby Ashley – the one question about him is met with a bit of a nervous look – and definitely no mention of cheating, scandals or even why she keeps dressing like characters off Streetfighter II when performing her song.

On the X Factor, it was General Bison; on Cheryl Cole’s Night In it’s Chun Li. Who will it be next? The green monster Blanka? Mebbes it’s her tribute to that other pint-sized princess of pop, Kylie, who was in the film with Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Mint! Chezza’s slushy warbler Joe got through to the final in the X Factor (ITV 1, 7.30pm, Saturday), along with that shiny-suited showman Olly. Mind you, I have to admit that I’m glad the winner’s not Stacey. Even if she did have Prince Harry supporting her in the audience, she really butchered that theme tune from Highlander.

Oh, hang on, it’s Holly-of-the-tough-questions again, to console Stace on the Xtra Factor (ITV 2, Saturday, 9.30pm): “I mean, it’s difficult, isn’t it, because you guys are so close, I mean, friend-wise, you, Olly and Joe.” Er, was there a question in there somewhere?

Funniest thing on telly last night was courtesy of The Best of TV Burp 6 (ITV 1, 6pm).

What’s not to love about Harry Hill re-creating Rod Hull versus Russell Harty with an emu puppet dressed as Gail Pratt off Corrie?

Genius.

Almost as good as the woman coming out of Dev’s and posting an invisible letter.

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He’s in the final 2 on the X Factor and Cheryl Cole’s protégé Geordie Joe McElderry, 18, has been coping with the pressure pretty well.

‘I can’t even call this competition hard work because I love doing it. 
I love being here so much that it’s not even tiring,’ says Joe. ‘I’m literally waking up with The X Factor on the brain.’

Cheryl and Joe have formed a strong bond, ‘love each other to bits’ and seem to be always fighting back the tears.

‘We’re kind of like: “We’re going to cry if we look at each other.” It’s really strange.

‘I get on with Cheryl very well. She’s just really, really supportive. I think where you’re from has a lot to do with how you think and the fact that we’re from the same area gives us a bond.’ 

So does Joe fancy Cheryl, 26?

‘Of course! Who doesn’t fancy Cheryl?’ he asks. ‘All my mates want her phone number, but they’re not getting it!’

See the full interview with Joe McElderry in Now magazine dated 16 December 2009 – out now!

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Show favourite Joe McElderry revealed how he has struck up a new friendship with Cheryl Cole’s husband Ashley.

The 18-year-old, the front-runner for glory in tonight’s final and also backed by mentor and fellow Geordie Cheryl – told how he bonded with the England and Chelsea defender during breaks in the live shows and that the 28-year-old has backed him to win.

Joe said: “Ashley’s been down to the studio several times.

“We get on well and have a chat in Cheryl’s dressing room and talk about the show and my performance.

“He watches the show from there and last time I saw him he said to me ‘You’re doing so well. I hope you win.’” Tonight Joe will be cheered on by mum Eileen, 47 and dad Jim, also 47, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins who have made the 250-mile trip down from Northumbria to back him. Joe has impressed the judges with his powerful performances and remains on course to scoop the show’s top prize – a £1million record contract with Simon Cowell’s record label.

His win would make it the second year in a row his mentor Cheryl Cole has won the show with her act – following Alexandra Burke’s success in 2008.

And Joe credits the Girls Aloud singer for setting him on the road to stardom.

“We’ve got so much in common.

“When we get together we use local language which only someone from South Shields would understand.

“We talk about all the things we miss from the north-east and things you get up there that you can’t get in London.

“Cheryl said she misses Geordie pizzas.

It’s basically a pizza with a kebab on top.

There’s no such thing in London but when she said it I knew exactly what she was talking about.”

Meanwhile Joe also said he planned to buy a house for his mum – and TWO new homes for himself if he wins tonight.

He added: “I’d like to have a place near home, then if there’s enough money another place in the city to use as a base.

“Nothing massive, I don’t want a mansion. Just two smaller places so I can travel between the two.”

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Joe has come along way from his first audition which was so long ago now. Singing Dance with My Father Again, which he also sung last night on the first part of the final show.

He has never disappointed in any of the type of songs he had to sing, each week when they change the genre in which to sing in. He really has been the most consistent performer throughout.

Last night singing (and even out singing- in my opinion) with George Michael, he just looked so happy to be singing with him.

His mentor has been fellow Geordie Cheryl Cole

So tonight tune in and vote Joe !!!

The winners song is “The Climb” originally by Miley Cyrus and as I love that song, I cannot wait to hear Joe’s version as it really will be just fantastic.

South Shields is routing for you!!!

Yes, I have been watching the X-Factor for the past 12 weeks or so . . . but I have only kept watching the whole time because Joe McElderry has gotten all the way to the final and will find out if he is the winner of the 2009 X-Factor tomorrow night.

Why do I want Joe to win? – He is from the same town in the North East England which I am from South Shields . . . and him being on the show really has created such a buzz around the town and it is really just fantastic.

Tonight’s first part of the final was very emotional, and yes I was crying . . . a Geordie thing? Possibly?

Joe sung with George Michael, who Joe totally out sung . . .

Bring on the final chapter of his story tomorrow night and lets hope we see him announced the winner of the X-Factor 2009!

Cheryl Cole bought all her ‘X Factor’ contestants watches for doing so well.

The ‘Girls Aloud’ star – who mentors the boys on the ITV show – has only Joe McElderry, 18, left in the competition but insisted on rewarding all three members of her category, which included Lloyd Daniels and Ricky Loney.

Joe said: “She bought all the boys a watch. I always wear mine. It was so nice of her. She gave us them after the first live show.”

Joe, who made it through to next week’s final show on Sunday, said he now faces the dilemma of deciding what to buy the “girl who’s got everything” for Christmas.

He said: “I want to buy Cheryl a combined Christmas and thank-you present because she’s been really supportive and I couldn’t ask for a better mentor.

“But what do you buy the girl who’s got everything? I might get her a Geordie present that means something to both of us.”

The Newcastle-born singer also said if he won the competition the first thing he’d buy would be a dog, just like Cheryl’s.

He said: “I’d buy my family stuff and I wouldn’t mind a house or a dog. I really want a dog. I know that’s random. I wouldn’t want a big one because I’m scared of big dogs, so a wee one.”

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GIRLS Aloud star Sarah Harding says she doesn’t know how bandmate Cheryl Cole copes with her huge success and hectic schedule – despite having a full-on career of her own to deal with.

The sexy blonde has always been the member of Girls Aloud most likely to be photographed falling out of a nightclub.

But ever since she and her pals decided to take a break from the group, she also seems to have taken a rest from partying.

These days, her time is taken up with a range of different projects – including reprising her role as indie rock chick Roxy in St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold in which, after rocking up with Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs, she decides to enrol at the infamous girls school.

But while she has been busy filming, opening up her new nightclub, Kanaloa and keeping the flames of passion alive with her long-term boyfriend, DJ Tom Crane, Sarah says it is amazing how Cheryl keeps on top of her full life.

She said: “I don’t know how Cheryl does it. She has not stopped.

“I went straight into doing St Trinian’s and we’ve all kept ourselves busy – but not at the sort of pace she has. I would be dead as a dodo.”

Sarah reckons her Geordie pal did incredibly well when she performed her first solo single live on X Factor but the 28-year-old says she doesn’t quite get what other women see in Cheryl’s fellow judge, Simon Cowell.

She said: “He’s a bit old for me. I usually stick to guys a bit nearer my age.”

When it comes to advising X Factor finalists on how to handle life as a pop star, the singer says she would warn the reality show contenders about the need for a thick skin in the music industry.

She said: “There’s a lot of highs and a lot of lows and as long as you’re thick-skinned and take things on the chin – because you do get a lot of criticism – you’ve kind of just got to go, ‘Ah, it’s here today and gone tomorrow’.”

The highs and lows Sarah has faced might explain why, while she’s not ruling out a Girls Aloud return, she is now focusing more on acting than singing.

She said: “We’re simply taking a break.

“After seven years, it can become a little bit monotonous and we all felt it was time for us to pursue our own ambitions.

“I’m not saying I don’t want to sing anymore – I’ve done tracks for the soundtrack – but the acting is something I’ve always wanted to pursue.”

The singer is aware, though, people might find it hard to adjust to Sarah Harding the actress because they are so usedto seeing her as a singer in Girls Aloud.

She said: “I’m taking baby steps. I did some part-time acting training before I joined the band but people don’t really know that about me. I’m really cautious about their opinions.”

Aside from the acting, Sarah has plenty going on in her life – including opening a nightclub with her boyfriend Tom.

She said: “It’s a bar and restaurant. It’s an investment and I’m trying to keep a business head about things. Tom will DJ there and it’s great to do something together.”

Her relationship with Tom seems to be going strong and Sarah says she hopes they will get a place in the country together one day.

She said:”Tom is really only my third long-term relationship and it did feel different when we got together. What struck me about him was he’s just so funny and happy and chirpy all the time.

“His glass is always half-full while mine is always half-empty. He’s probably the most rounded guy I’ve been with. He’s a bit of a lovable rogue as well and I love that.

“I’m loving being domesticated, too. I don’t garden but we’re thinking about getting a veggie patch.

“My long-term dream is to have a place in the country. I want to be able to build something or find a barn conversion and turn it into my estate.”

Sarah has also become a bit of a style icon – thanks to her ability to effortlessly mix designer labels with high street chic.

She reckons the full designer look can be a bit tacky and admits she is capable of the odd fashion disaster. She said: “We believe anything we hear from the stylist. At some point in everyone’s lives – whether you do what we do or not – you’re always going to look back and go, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe I wore that’.”

Most days Sarah opts for casual and comfortable wear. Her wardrobe must-have is a good pair of cut-off jeans because “they kind of go with anything and can dress down a dressy dress”.

When it comes to fashion, Sarah loves accessories. But her passion for shoes saw her become embroiled in a so-called “style-war” with the ultimate fashion conscious celebrity -Victoria Beckham. Although, as far as Sarah is concerned, it wasn’t a case of handbags at dawn.

She said: “There was this amazing pair of Christian Louboutins I found on tour.

“They were patent orange with a steel toe. Very rock ‘n’ roll and I love them.

“Like the hairdo, I got accused of copying her, which was totally untrue. But not long after that she was spotted wearing the Christian Louboutin shoes.”

As the party season nears, the singer admits there is one type of party she just can’t get enough of – karaoke.

She said: “I usually sing to stuff from Dirty Dancing and old classics like Mustang Sally, 4 Non Blondes and a bit of Whitney Houston.”

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X Factor mentor Cheryl Cole took her hopeful Joe McElderry back to his home town yesterday to perform a gig for his loyal supporters.

The South Shields singer took time out from rehearsals to tour his native North East and put on a show for fans.

The bookies favourite stopped off at his home and former school before finally performing at the Sage on Gateshead Quayside.

He was introduced Cheryl, who is from the nearby Newcastle suburb of Heaton 10 miles away, and performed Journey power ballad Don’t Stop Believin’ as the crowd sang every word along with him.

Sarah Harding’s joy and hugs for Cheryl Cole after her act makes it to the X Factor final.

He also sang Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.

Joe, 18, even jumped into the crowd mid-song to belt out the hits.

Excerpts of his homecoming will be shown on Saturday’s X Factor final.
Word soon spread about the ’secret’ gig and rumours spread on Tyneside via phone, text and social networking sites about possible venues.

Northumbria Police had to issue a statement in the afternoon to dispell rumours that Joe was set to play Bents Park in South Shields, and the actual venue was kept a closely guarded secret for fear of pandemonium.

He has until Sunday to drum up as much support as possible, and is hoping to  garner as many votes from Tyneside as he can.

Cheryl was on hand all day to show her support for Joe, whom she regards as ‘like her little brother’.

She also accompanied him to his former college, West Harton Technology College,  South Tyneside earlier in the day, where Joe was mobbed by former classmates.

This weekend, Joe will sing a duet with George Michael, while Stacey Solomon will be joined onstage by Canadian crooner Michael Buble and Olly Murs will team up with Robbie Williams.

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X Factor finalist Joe McElderry is looking for inspiration for a Christmas gift for mentor Cheryl Cole.

Joe, who will bid to beat Stacey Solomon and Olly Murs to the X Factor crown this weekend, is so grateful for all Cheryl’s help he wants to get her something extra special.

But with her own fortune from her music and TV careers, plus footballer husband Ashley able to splash out the big bucks on pressies, Geordie Joe thinks he might have to look to his home town for the answer.

Joe told Star magazine: “I want to buy her a combined Christmas and thank you

present ’cos she’s been really supportive and I couldn’t ask for a better mentor, but what do you buy the girl who’s got everything?

“I might get her a Geordie present that means something to both of us.”

And Joe revealed Cheryl goes through the same emotional roller-coaster when it comes to X Factor results night.

“She gets really nervous as well!” he explained. “When we are standing backstage me and Cheryl are literally throwing up, well not literally. But we are both nervous.

“And then when we get on stage, we stand there going: ‘Oh my God!’

“I’m always hanging out in Cheryl’s dressing room before the show starts.

“She’s a really hands-on mentor. She helps out a lot with her acts.

“She has become like an older sister to me. I think it’s really helped that I’m from the same area.”

Joe, who has met Cheryl’s mum and dad as well as Chelsea and England star Ashley, is hoping to make it back to back wins for Cheryl’s X Factor hopefuls after Alex Burke’s triumph last year.

But after Alex’s emotional reaction last year when she found out she had won, Joe is hoping to play it cool – at least at first. 

“I would have to try and hold it together on stage and then I would have to go into a padded room by myself after and just go completely mental for a couple of hours,” he admitted.

“I’d buy my family stuff and I wouldn’t mind a house or a dog. I really want a dog.

“I know that’s random. I wouldn’t want a big one ’cos I’m scared of big dogs, so a wee one.”

- Read the full story in this week’s Star magazine – out today

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I’ve followed the series of XFactor with interest as someone who cannot sing a note in tune I am envious of those who can sing so beautifully as on the XFactor. I felt sorry for Danyl as he left last night and the finalists were announced, though I’m pleased with who did get through.

Emotional night as X Factor finalists revealed | News | What's On …

It was an emotional evening for the remaining acts in X Factor 2009 after they learned who had made the final. First to learn his fate was Olly, who burst into tears and hugged his mentor Simon Cowell upon learning he was in the final …

The X Factor: why vywers dydn't lyke Danyl – Telegraph Blogs

Some thoughts on the weekend’s episodes of The X Factor: 1. Danyl’s departure can’t be put down to lack of ability (after all, Olly’s still in – he sings like an out-of-work children’s TV presenter hosting a karaoke night for an 18-year-old … My campaign to persuade the world that the wonderful Stacey Solomon is not a 24-carat dunderhead will never succeed if she insists on behaving as she did when Dermot announced she was through to the final – i.e. continue to stare …

I’ve been following the 3 finalists during the series. Stacey is great and I’m loving the songs she is belting out, Ollie is so entertaining I love his dancing and singing and can really see him being a hit after the show whether he wins or not. As for Joe Mcelderry I thought he was OK but nothing special however in the last few weeks he appears to have really blossomed and is truly delivering what I would expect from a XFactor winner. As a fellow Geordie it would be great to see Joe win especially as he is an amazing singer, though a bit of me still really hopes Stacey will make it.

Joe McElderry – X Factor Live Shows Week 8

Joe McElderry takes over with his second perfromance of Saturday night singing “Sorry seems to be”. All the judges seemed to agree that Joe was the stand out performing on Saturday. What do you think? Leave your comments below …

I know I will be glued to the TV next weekend to watch the XFactor final and seeing whether it is Joe, Ollie or Stacy that wins Xfactor 2009.

Louis Walsh told last night of his fears that Cheryl Cole was heading for MELTDOWN.

In a frank interview, he dismissed suggestions that Cheryl’s recent tears and downcast manner on the X Factor were caused by problems in her marriage.

Instead, he blamed the Geordie’s insatiable appetite for WORK.
 
The Irish music mogul, 57, spoke out after seeing his fellow judge stressed out backstage several times during the current ITV series.

Louis said: “Cheryl has taken on a hell of a lot of work – and we are all very, very worried about her. She is doing this show, which she takes extremely seriously. On top of that she has her own music stuff going on.

“Cheryl is going to America shortly too, and next week she is filming her own show for ITV.

“So she has a lot on. She’s put loads of effort into launching her solo pop career too.”

Louis shot down suggestions that Cheryl’s marriage to Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole was in tatters.

He said: “People keep going on about that, but I can vouch for the fact that it is not. Ashley has been to the show on numerous occasions and he is a great source of support for her.

“When I’ve seen them together they look absolutely fine and in love.

“Cheryl just wants to make a success of everything she does. Some may say she’s a workaholic.

“It’s an admirable way to be, but there comes a point when you can take too much work on. I’m so proud of what she has achieved. But there comes a point when you need to say enough is enough.”

Along with the 15 million X Factor viewers, Louis and co-judges Simon Cowell and Dannii Minogue have noticed how Cheryl, 26, has been breaking down more than she did during the last series.

Louis went on: “We see a lot of Cheryl so we see when she is down. She is exhausted so we have all tried to be there for her, we try to make her happy.

“We have all put our arms around her and been there to support her. We might argue on-screen but backstage it’s different. I just hope she stops and takes a break once the show is finished. She definitely cannot do all the work she has got on next year. It’s not good for her.” Cheryl has made no secret of the pressures that the show has put on her.

In October, she told how hard it is to walk out in the street and have her looks scrutinised.

She said then: “From the moment I step outside my front door – even if it’s just to go to the supermarket – I’m working. Looking good and not being caught out can be very consuming.”

Shortly before, viewers saw her break down live on telly after Cowell blasted her for over a song choice for contestant Lloyd Daniels, 16.

After a below-par performance, Simon said: “I’m going to put the blame on the girl on my right.”

A shocked Cheryl couldn’t hold back the tears.

Louis added yesterday: “Cheryl and Simon come to blows because they are both very opinionated. But they do have a lot of respect for one another.”

Simon has himself admitted he has fallen victim to his punishing work schedule and hinted that he might cut one of his many roles.

He said this series: “There’s a lot of pressure that comes with making the shows, running the record label and running the TV production company.

“You do that week after week, month after month and it takes its toll on you.”

Source

Having re-writtern the pitch for the purpose of this blog, I decdied the next port of call was the carrers service in Newcastle. They gave me lots of advice- cheers guys. The next best thing to do was to talk to farmers about what they want out of a product and also how other local products like pease pudding (a baked vegetable product, which mainly consists of split yellow or carlin peas, water, salt, and spices, often cooked with a bacon or ham joint- thanks wikipedia) are regarded and sold. So off to market I went!

Only problem was I went home to Gloucestershire the next day- however having trawlled the rather excellent Certified Farmers Market website I found one in Gloucester. So armed with a pen, notepad, camera I drove over to see what was going down. I learnt alot about not only cheese but the entire famers market ethos- there is a want for local products and people don’t mind that bit extra for a local produce. Therefore the idea of Geordie Cheese (I pitched it as a university project I was doing with some undergrades so has to get more info out of people) seems pretty good. However there is alot of competition in Gloucestershire for instance  one small shop sold 11 different cheeses from  across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Wales. Gloucester is not far from Wales nor Herefordshire. Therefore taking this to the north-east there is Northumberland, Cumbria and Yorkshire (home of the daddy of all  local cheeses- Wensleydale). Scary stuff I think especailly when all these places have thier own local cheese- nobody said it was easy
no one ever said it would be this hard! 

So after two weeks the project is still frimly on the notepad- ok the notes are getting longer and it seems like I have got no further. But this is long-term project- it won’t be over by christmas.

I would like to also draw your attention to the rather fabulous blog- cake or mistake on this site. Also check out this intresting blog on cars by my friend Antony at: http://think-cars.blogspot.com/.

The 18-year-old said his mentor’s assistant often struggles to understand the pair as their North East dialect gets broader when they’re with each other.
 
The X Factor’s Joe McElderry gets on well with Cheryl Cole
 ”Her assistant can’t really understand us when we start talking full on,” he laughed.

Joe added that being from Tyneside has made the pair bond quicker, in the same way fellow contestants Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon get on well as they’re both from Essex.

He said: “I think it has a lot to do with the fact we’re from the same area, because I think you have a connection. Like Olly and Stacey, they’re kind of from the same area and they have the same things to talk about and same accents. It makes a difference. And she’s (Cheryl) a really nice person and we get on really well.”
.Joe also said he was ignoring reports that Simon Cowell wants him to win the show, even though two of his own acts – Danyl Johnson and Olly Murs – are still in the competition.

“You can’t really take any notice of it because he’s got his two acts … there are four people left in the competition and anyone can win it,” he insisted, adding that he didn’t consider himself the favourite.

“I think the minute you start taking notice of that you start becoming a bit big-headed. So I’m just kind of focusing on the performances and just getting on with it.”

Source

X Factor contestant Lloyd Daniels had admitted that he found it hard to understand Cheryl Cole’s Geordie accent. The Welsh lad has confessed that he could not always follow her instructions, according to a report.

The 16-year-old added that this was his only problem with his mentor as he denied claims that she gave Joe McElderry more attention.

He told The Sun: “I didn’t think she backed him more than she backed me.

“Joe was note perfect, every judge seemed to like Joe which they didn’t with me, there’s a lot of support for Joe.”

He added: She’s someone to look up to, I had the best mentor.

“I had a bit of trouble with the accent but that was it – it was hilarious,”

Since Lloyd left the programme on Sunday he has received lots of fan mail and love letters.

He revealed that he phoned three admirers back to thank them for their gifts.

Daniels said: “They didn’t say much to be honest, they were just screaming down the phone.”

Source

WAE’AYE man? Lloyd Daniels has admitted he found it hard it understand Cheryl Cole – because of her thick Geordie accent.
The Welsh lad confessed his mentor’s twang meant he couldn’t always follow her instructions.

But he maintained that was the only problem he had with the X Factor judge – despite claims she gave more attention to Joe McElderry.

Lloyd, who got booted out of the competition on Sunday, said: “I didn’t think she backed him more than she backed me, Joe was note perfect, every judge seemed to like Joe which they didn’t with me, there’s a lot of support for Joe. She’s someone to look up to, I had the best mentor.”

But the 16-year-old added: “I had a bit of trouble with the accent but that was it – it was hilarious.”

Lloyd also said he had received lots of fan mail and love letters and even phoned three admirers back to say thank you for their gifts.

He added: “They didn’t say much to be honest, they were just screaming down the phone.”

Source

In a survey of over a thousand quotes from the X Factor finalists, judges and fans of the show, Geordie lad Joe McElderry has emerged as the most relaxed contestant. The poll, undertaken by leading Australian beer brand Foster’s uses a series of language based algorithms to gauge how worried or carefree someone is.

Popular social networking site Twitter formed a crucial part of the survey, helping to determine that with a score of 80%, bookie’s favourite Joe was well and truly the most ‘No Worries’ contestant out of this year’s remaining hopefuls.

Foster’s brand manager Natalie Clearie said: “It’s incredible that Joe McElderry manages to maintain such a No Worries attitude despite the pressure he is under – we wonder if he has some Australian in him? His fellow finalists could learn a lot from his laid back, Aussie attitude, and who knows, it might even win them some more votes this weekend.”

On the opposite end of the scale, Cheryl’s other act Lloyd Daniels is riding low with a score of only 10%. With twins John & Edward gone he is now favourite to leave and having already faced the bottom two twice before, the odds are not looking good for the Welsh singer.

For additional scores, news and views relating to the X Factor and its aspiring contestants, as well as all the best picks from the web, make sure you check out their Twitter page twitter.com/FostersUK