THE pop concert audience was expecting a show-stopping performance.

But even they were surprised when the music was brought to a halt so young stars could show their support for Southampton's X Factor hopefuls 4Tune.

Halfway through their sell-out gig at The Point in Eastleigh, singers from music group E Minor stopped the show to text in their votes for the Southampton boy band.

Members of the pop academy, all aged between eight and 18, urged the crowd to get out their mobile phones and support the lads, who have reached the live knockout stage of the ITV talent show.

E Minor, who share a singing coach with 4Tune, worked with the boy band last month when the lads visited Redbridge Community School for a music workshop.

Now the budding young pop stars are planning to thank their musical mentors with another barrage of text votes, hoping it will be enough to get them through to the next stage of the show.

Millions of viewers will be watching tonight to see whether 4Tune can move a step closer to their dream of a £1m recording contract. They are up against ten other acts and are rated sixth favourites to claim the top prize.

Last Saturday a TV audience of about 6.7 million saw 4Tune sing the Backstreet Boys hit I Want It That Way.

4Tune are school friends Phil Kemish, 18, from Lordswood, and 21-year-old Mike Hannides, from Chandler's Ford, plus Mike's brother Anthony, 18, and cousin 22-year-old Simon Vitsaides, from Shirley.

The group, who are being mentored by TV's Mr Nasty Simon Cowell, were sent home in the penultimate round last year. The X Factor is on ITV tonight at 6.15pm. The results will be broadcast at 9.05pm.