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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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