Half of Little Mix would like the next winner of The X Factor to be a Geordie

Little Mix song­strels Jade Thirwall and Perrie Edwards are calling for all Geordie X Factor hopefuls to attend Newcastle's first X Factor auditions in six years.

"We were just normal girls from South Shields before The X Factor, and now our lives have been changed forever. But like every X Factor winner, our exper­i­ence started at the auditions," Perrie told Chronic Live.

Jade, meanwhile, chipped in with: "They are the first step on the road to the X Factor final and I’m sure there are plenty of Geordies young and old who stand a great chance in the competition."

Speaking about the show's return to Newcastle, executive producer Beth Hart added: "We’re so delighted that The X Factor is coming to Newcastle for auditions, we’ve missed it whilst we’ve been away".

The open auditions take place March 10 at the Metro Radio Arena.