The duo, who will compete for a place in the top three in the group category on Sunday and have already travelled to Los Angeles and New York with the show, were in danger of missing their initial audition earlier this year.

‘‘Joel stayed up watching the Socceroos play the night before and didn’t want to go. I had to drag him out of bed,’’ Luke told The Word yesterday. ‘‘I didn’t want to do it if Joel wasn’t. We are much better performing together than separately.’’

Luke, 23, and younger brother Joel, 21, play as a duo in Newcastle for weddings and private functions.

Luke, who is a physiotherapist for Hunter New England Health, said he played in a lot of bands growing up, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that he realised his brother could sing.

‘‘Joel was in a school musical at St Philip’s Christian College and I went and watched it,’’ Luke said.

The Newcastle lads are under the instruction of their mentor Guy Sebastian on the reality show.

Luke said he is their favourite judge but the brothers also get along well with the controversial Kyle Sandilands.

‘‘I like Kyle. He has a quick wit and most of the time what he says is true and funny and I don’t mind that,’’ Luke said.

Besides singing, Luke can play the guitar, piano and drums while Joel, who is a youth worker, is also handy with a guitar.

The X Factor screens Sundays and Mondays at 7.30pm on Prime.