THE parents of X Factor finalist Matt Cardle are reiterating the words of his mentor and calling on everyone to vote for their son this weekend.

Matt remains favourite to win the show but his mum, Jennifer, is worried that he could miss out on his rightful title unless everyone pledges their support.

“I will be increasing my vote this weekend, I will vote as many times as I can,” said Mrs Cardle, of Little Maplestead, near Halstead.

She added: “Because Matt has been the bookies favourite from the start an awful lot of people, including members of my own family, are saying we don’t really need to vote.

“I am saying that we do, we need to give it a final push, we absolutely have to get him to the top slot.”

She is following the sentiment of mentor Dannii Minogue who urged fans to pick up the vote, or send a text message, ahead of Matt’s mid-week homecoming gig in Colchester.

Matt, 27, is expected to pair up with Rihanna during the final round of the competition this week, while fellow favourite Rebecca Ferguson is rumoured to be duetting with Burlesque star Christina Aguilera.

Cher Lloyd is due to star alongside her mentor’s friend Will.i.am while boyband One Direction could be singing with legend Robbie Williams.

The act with the fewest public votes will be kicked off on Saturday night, leaving three finalists to perform on Sunday before the final winner is announced.

Mrs Cardle admitted it will be a close call and said: “The competition is incredibly fierce. Rebecca has the most stunning voice and Cher and One Direction are excellent. There is not a lot between them.”

She added: “ I just hope Matt’s voice holds out. I know how much it means to him, how hard he has worked all these years and how much he wants to win.

“He joined his first band at 13 and has been working towards this ever since.”

Ali McMillan, 27, a performing arts technician at Sudbury Upper School, has known Matt for nearly 15 years and he will be cheering the former painter and decorator on tonight.

“I will be at the final, and we will most definitely be cheering him on. We are very hopeful that he will win.”

Speaking about the secret behind Matt’s success so far, he said: “He just seems to be able to sing whatever you put in front of him.

“Even illness doesn’t seem to affect him. He has a way of doing a good job of things.

“That and the fact he is an incredibly nice guy.”

The pair met at a music camp in 1996 and played together in bands throughout their youth.