X Factor starlet Cher Lloyd can certainly rely on the backing of her hometown ahead of this weekend’s final.

Despite admitting she doesn’t expect to win the singing contest because she’s “just the rapper”, friends, family and fans from Malvern Link have pledged their support to the 17-year-old.

Following her return home on Tuesday with mentor Cheryl Cole, the teenager’s mum Dinah, sisters Rosie and Sophie, grandfather Jon Lunn and local business owners have wished Cher luck as she approaches the end of the ITV show.

Mrs Lloyd said: “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, you’re our winner and we’re very, very proud of you.”

Mal Stimson, who runs the Express Inn with her daughter, Donna, said: “We’ve backed Cher right from the very beginning. Whether you win or not Cher, you’re a winner in our eyes.”

Her grandfather Jon Lunn told the teenager: “Follow your dream. We know you can do it so go out there and grasp it with both hands.”

On the official X Factor website, Cher thanked fans for their support.

“I’m very very grateful to be able to say I’m in the finals of the X Factor and I thank everybody who picked up the phone and voted for me,” she said.

It has been confirmed that Radio One DJ Scott Mills will be hosting a live TV broadcast from the Three Counties Showground, which will be shown during the finals tonight and tomorrow.

Writing on social networking site Twitter, Mr Mills said: “Malvern is where I will be at the weekend on the X Factor final with Cher fans!”

As we reported yesterday, free tickets are available for the live Malvern shows for fans of the former Dyson Perrins High School pupil. Gates open at 6.30pm on Saturday, with the cameras rolling from 7.30pm until 10.30pm.

On Sunday, doors open at 5.30pm, with broadcasting between 6.30pm and 9.30pm.

However, if Cher goes out on Saturday night, the Sunday event will be cancelled. To register and apply for tickets, visit applausestore.com.

Cher will take to the stage tonight for a duet with Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am.

Also in the final are Matt Cardle, One Direction and Rebecca Ferguson, who is also mentored by Ms Cole.

For the first time in the show’s history, the four finalists have all recorded a separate winner’s song in case they win the show.

Simon Cowell said: “Each artist has got their own record which is completely geared to them and not singing one song.”