[Red Moon]

Illness strikes X Factor stars

Singing starlet Charlie Mole might be gearing up for the most important stage yet of the X Factor competition – but she is not feeling too hot.

The Hill View mum and her band Hope have had a tough time over the last month, finding themselves in the bottom two twice in the past three weeks.

She has also suffered two allergic reactions, sore throats and a cold, while also missing her family, especially five-year-old son Jack.

Now all four girls have been struck down with flu-like symptoms.

Charlie, 23, said: "It's been a really awful week. I don't think we're very confident at the moment.

"I think what's happening is the age group that like us are going out on a Saturday and watching the replays on Sundays and not voting.

"It just seems that way because on the internet forum our performances get something like 34,000 hits, whereas the others only get about 10,000.

"I know what it's like, I love going out, but I would just love it if people spent that extra hour at home so they could vote for us. We really are going to go this week if we don't get those votes."

Yesterday the Echo revealed that mentor Simon Cowell had not even chosen a song for them for this week's love songs-themed show.

But now the music mogul has made up his mind, but it still leaves them only two days to get to grips with the lyrics and choreography.

Charlie added: "At the end of the day this is make or break for us. Please just pick up the phone and vote to keep the Sunderland lass in.

"Thank you so much to everyone who has voted so far. I am so grateful."

Tune into ITV tomorrow at 6.40pm and vote for our girl. Results will be revealed at 8.40pm.

Source: Sunderland Echo