The Mecca Bingo club in South Shields will again be celebrating as their X-Factor star Joe McElderry, is down to the final four and is said to be the judges favourite.  Articles in the press have suggested that X-Factor judge Simon Cowell has told the other judges to shower him with positive comments.  Sheryl Cole, 26, will obviously support Joe - her remaining act - but it has been claimed that Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue have been told to lavish him with extra praise.  On Saturday, the Geordie received a second standing ovation from the judges for his rendition of Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.

Each week staff and customers at the Mecca Club are said to have been showing their support voting for the 18 year old star, and while Simon is known to support his own acts the fact that he is now favouring the South Shields local is pretty good indication of this years winner.  In addition Simon has also apparently decided the X Factor winner will release Journey's Don't Stop Believin' as their first track - which Joe has already performed on the show.  With his dreams set to come true Joe will no doubt be thankful for the support of his local bingo club.

Blake Robson, the man who announces the club's numbers and national bingo caller of the year, 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."  Mr Robson is hoping the next time the talented teenager is back home in South Shields, he'll pop in for a few rounds of bingo.  He added: "We would love it if Joe would call a few games out.  He's more than welcome to come along any time he likes."

An insider claimed in The Sun: 'Joe is the winner in Simon's eyes.  He's been bigging up Joe when the judges are around.  The others are not happy.  'But the bottom line with Simon is, "Who will sell records?"'  A spokesman for the X Factor declined to comment.

At the end of last night's show - Lloyd Daniels was voted off by the public. The 16-year-old's departure means that Olly Murs, Stacey Solomon, Danyl Johnson and Joe McElderry will now compete in next week's semi-final.