X Factor stars Jedward rock the Empire

Jan 15 2010 by John Sutton, Evening Gazette

HUNDREDS of fans packed into Middlesbrough’s Empire last night for a set by X Factor stars Jedward.

The Irish twins, 18, arrived at the club to meet and greet fans before playing a set of five songs including their famous rendition of Ghostbusters.

The pair told fans the gig was “one of the loudest and best we’ve ever had”, and said they are looking forward to returning to the North-east with the X Factor arena shows later in the year.

John and Edward Grimes were the stars of the last series of the X Factor, and divided the nation with their quirky song and dance routines.

Simon Cowell wasn’t a fan, but the likes of Robbie Williams, Peaches Geldof and the tens of thousands who voted for them week in, week out eventually persuaded the music mogul you can’t fight popularity.

Almost 1,000 fans at the weekly student-friendly APE club night welcomed the celebrities as they ripped through a barnstorming live set of hits including Rock DJ, Under Pressure, I’m Your Man, Ghostbusters and Oops I Did it Again.

After the performance they stayed for an hour backstage where they signed autographs and chatted with young Teessiders.

Fans - and fellow twins - Jodie and Carly Jameson of Linthorpe were equally impressed. Jodie, 21, said: “That was quality. And the boys were great backstage too, really friendly and down to earth.”

Students Julie Stainthorpe from Grangetown and Cassie Lewis from Normanby, both 18, also met the X Factor stars after the show. Julie said: “That was amazing. Absolutely brilliant - and miles better than we thought they would be.”

Delighted promoter Phil Saunders of Ten Feet Tall said: “I’m totally over the moon with the crowd’s reaction, and Jedward were fantastic - both onstage and off.

“We thought there was something very odd and very wonderful about those boys before the gig - pure star quality - and now we know for sure. They just lit up the stage and were hugely entertaining.”