Back on Geordie soil, singer Cheryl Cole couldn’t wait to tuck into her favourite Chinese takeaway.
And the Newcastle beauty took Simon Cowell along with her to pick up her order.
Cheryl returned to Tyneside for the latest round of X Factor auditions held at the Baltic in Gateshead on Thursday.
But during filming she got a little peckish and decided to call on her favourite Chinese eatery.
She got her brother Garry Tweedy to ring in the order to Kwok Pao takeaway on Heaton Road, Newcastle, just around the corner to where she grew up and her mum Joan Callaghan, still lives.
And owner of the business Kevin Shek couldn’t believe his eyes when two Mercedes turned up outside with Cheryl and Simon in them.
Kevin, of Little Benton, North Tyneside, said: “When Garry rang he put in the order and said Cheryl would pop in to see us. She has been coming here for years and wanted to say hello. But it was a massive surprise when Simon Cowell came in with her.”
The food order, which included Cheryl’s favourite salt and chilli ribs, came to £82,50. Also on order were salt and chilli chips, prawn meat on toast, chicken egg foo young and mixed vegetables in satay sauce.
“They were lovely, then later the film crew came back and filmed us. We didn’t expect that.”
Kevin, of Little Benton, North Tyneside, said: ‘When Garry rang he put in the order and said Cheryl would pop in to see us. She has been coming here for years and wanted to say hello. But it was a massive surprise when Simon Cowell came in with her.’
The food order, which included Cheryl's favourite salt and chilli ribs, came to £82,50. Also on order were salt and chilli chips, prawn meat on toast, chicken egg foo young and mixed vegetables in satay sauce.
Memories: Kwak Pao takeaway is on Heaton Road, Newcastle, just around the corner to where Cole grew up and her mum Joan Callaghan, still lives
‘They were lovely, then later the film crew came back and filmed us. We didn't expect that.’
Cheryl and Simon took the four bags of food back to the Baltic to feed other hungry judges Louis Walsh and Scary Spice Mel B and others.
Cheryl's proud mum Joan told the Chronicle: ‘They took the food back to the Baltic and then they filmed at the takeaway. It's Cheryl's favourite.’
Kevin added: ‘It shows Cheryl and Simon have good taste in food. Cheryl has always come here. Her mum or brother usually ring in the order.
Cheryl's favourites are the salt and chilli ribs and the Cantonese crispy beef. She loves them.’
Gary Lowe, 43, of Benton, was collecting his takeaway when the X Factor stars walked in. ‘I couldn't believe it. They were really nice and they were saying hello. I took a picture of the lad who owns the place with them. It was a massive surprise.’
Father-of two Gary, who is married to Nichola, 39, added: ‘I am waiting for a heart transplant but seeing Cheryl and Simon in the local takeaway nearly gave me a heart attack.’
Cheryl enjoyed her takeaway ahead of her 31st birthday on Monday.
Her new French beau Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, a restaurant owner who began dating her earlier this year, is organising her a special party this weekend.
It is said Jean-Bernard, 33, is planning to cater the bash with food from his own restaurant Cosy Box.
Source: Dailymail & Bastille
