The X Factor 2012

X Factor viewers will of course be aware that Christopher Maloney was not a part of last night’s conclusion to the weekend’s final, and this morning, most tabloid newspapers are carrying the same story as to why…

And in a nutshell, it’s been reported that he first turned up drunk for rehearsals in Manchester on Sunday morning, and then, having been told he only had one line in the group ensemble, he reportedly stormed off, saying he was quitting and wanted nothing more to do with the show.

During the afternoon yesterday, an X Factor spokesperson said, “Chris decided he no longer wanted to be part of The X Factor Final and has gone back to Liverpool.”

Meanwhile, in what became a series of contradictory tweets, Chris first sent a blistering tweet to Gary Barlow which read, “@TheXFactor @xfactorpress @GBarlowOfficial can’t believe all the bull yet again! this is a witch hunt for defo. the show is over xx” Continue reading »

This year’s X Factor has been one of the most controversial yet, with former cruise ship singer Chris Maloney positively powering through while acts who were previously tipped to win – such as Ella Henderson – have left or been in the bottom two…

And of course, this series’ other controversial singer, Rylan Clark, left the contest last night, doing so with the dignity and good grace that he’s displayed throughout.

So that leaves only Chris and Jahmene Douglas of the remaining acts who’ve never been in the bottom two, and a report in the Daily Star over the weekend claimed that for each of the weeks so far, Chris has received the most public votes.

It’s also been claimed that X Factor boss Simon Cowell is “bewildered” by Chris’s popularity, and, given that it looks like Chris could well win the show, he’s reportedly asked his legal team to find a way to ditch Chris from his Syco record label should he in fact win.

And apparently, his lawyers have a found a “loophole” in the winner’s contract that would enable him to “ditch Chris within weeks.” Continue reading »

Should the judges have a veto or Save My Act card for use once per series?

The X Factor has had possibly the worst year ever in terms of controversy and viewing figures, and as fans will know, last night’s elimination – which saw Ella Henderson leave the contest – made it The Farce Factor, prompting fury on Twitter…

Many of those who expressed outrage at the result, which of course saw Ella and James Arthur battling it out to remain on the show, claimed that for them, it was the last straw and their days of watching the show were over.

And indeed, it was ridiculous, which Ella’s mentor Tulisa kept repeating, but as terminology goes, it’s as good a word for it as any.

That two of the most talented singers this year were even in the bottom two is and was ludicrous, and though I know a number of fans are hugely upset that Rylan Clark remains in the contest, I just can’t feel badly about that… Continue reading »

Will Ella cope? Especially after Twitter bullying has upset her…

The females of this year’s X Factor have, one by one, been eliminated until – after Jade Ellis was voted off last week – just Lucy Spraggan and Ella Henderson remained…

However, as Lucy sensationally announced that she’s quitting the competition today, only Ella remains to fly the flag for women in the contest.

As to Lucy’s decision to leave the show, she issued a statement earlier today which read, “I am gutted not to be able to continue on this journey but I’m not well enough to perform.

“To accept another free pass having missed last weekend would not be fair on the others in the competition. I wish them all well.

“I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has supported me. There is no way that this setback will prevent me from fulfilling my ambition.

“You’ll be hearing from me again very soon.”

Lucy’s mentor, Tulisa Contostavlos said, “I’m so sorry to lose Lucy from the competition…

“I have had a brilliant time working with her and I hope I can continue to mentor her in the future.

“I now count her as a friend as she is an amazing girl.” Continue reading »

Last night’s edition of The X Factor was the final installment from this year’s Bootcamp, and I stared at my TV, mouth hanging open like a slack jawed yokel as some of the best singers were, one by one, kicked off the show…

Joe Cox and Jade Richards, who of course both made it as far as Judges’ Houses last year, were yet again ditched, as was Joseph Whelan, who for me was on the early Could Win It list.

I really don’t know how the judges reached their decisions this year – or most years for that matter – given that yet again, singers who are far weaker vocally than all of the above got through to the next stage…

For instance, Brad Shackleton and Rylan Clark were put through, and though certainly Rylan is a truly nice guy and very funny, there’s not a cat in hell’s chance that he’s going to win.

Ditto for Brad, who, though I didn’t actually notice him much in the shows to date – did you? – is probably also a very nice bloke, but again, his voice is nowhere near the caliber of Joe’s, Jade’s or Joseph’s. Continue reading »

And Gary Barlow congratulates Robbie and Ayda Williams

We’ll start today’s round up of all things X Factor with a report in The Sun that the sudden death eliminations that caused such controversy last year have been axed.

The nail biter twist was introduced last year when each of the four judges took four acts through to the live rounds, but had to ditch one of their acts during the first live show.

It was then that Amelia Lily left the contest after Kelly Rowlands axed her, but she of course later returned to the show after a viewer vote reinstated her.

Also axed during the sudden death eliminations were 2 Shoes, Jonjo Kerr and James Michael.

But this year, each judge can only take three artists to the live rounds, and all the decisions about who stays and goes will be up to the voting public… Continue reading »

Last night’s edition of The X Factor was the last of the auditions rounds, and as of next week, the double-bill of shows – which air on Saturday and Sunday – will feature the infamous Boot Camp…

However, there’s sad news today in that there are two very talented singers missing from the Boot Camp line-up, and they are Tammy Cartwright and homeless singer Robbie Hance.

We met both singers during the weekend’s shows, and having received rave reviews from the judges, and massive applause from the audiences, Tammy and Robbie sailed through to the next round.

But during her audition, we heard Tammy explain that she hadn’t tried out for the show before because she’d been taking care of her brother – who has a drug addiction issue – and her mother who suffered breast cancer.

However, with both of those huge problems seemingly firmly in the past, Tammy had decided that the time war right to chase her dream of becoming a professional singer.

But in today’s Sun, Tammy revealed that she’s quit the show in order to once again take care of her brother Gareth.

She explained, “My younger brother Gareth has been on hard drugs for many years and he’s lived with me for most of those years… Continue reading »

Plus, Jake Quickenden’s double cancer heartache, and Frankie Cocozza on how he’s turning his life around

We’ll start today’s look at all things X Factor with a report from Channel 5 News in which Simon Cowell has confirmed that there are plans to air an Olympic-themed X Factor live show later this year.

And of inviting some of this year’s Olympians to appear on the show, Cowell said, “I think we’re going to do something around the Olympics on one of the live shows, so they’re all welcome.”

He added, “We like having heroes on our shows.”

Simon added that he’d love to see Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds the show, describing her as “a star.”

It’s also expected that Jessica Ennis and diver Tom Daley will have roles as mentors on this year’s X Factor.

In other news, hopeful singer Jake Quickenden made a great impression on the judges and the audience when he auditioned for the show, singing a cover of Kings of Leon’s hit track, Use Somebody… Continue reading »

Plus Louis Walsh imposes curfew on his acts to stop them “Doing a Prince Harry” and Tulisa advises Little Mixer Perrie to “cool it” with 1D’s Zayn

We’ll start today’s X Factor news round up with a report in the Sun that states that wannabe Melanie Masson – who wowed the judges with her rendition of Janice Joplin’s Cry Baby in Saturday night’s auditions show – has already been in the music biz for around 15 years.

The paper reports that Melanie has “sung alongside a string of big names” including Kasabian, Stereophonics, Fatboy Slim, Happy Mondays and Leo Sayer.

The mum-of-two also released a single in 2007 and was signed to EMI. However, the judges seemed to be unaware of her past career when they met her on Saturday’s show.

Louis Walsh said, “Where did that voice come from and where has it been? This is what the show is about. Finding someone as amazing as you…” Continue reading »

And Tulisa entrusts her car to her gangland ex!

We’ll begin today’s round up of all things X Factory with a report in Now magazine in which an X Factor insider claims that Simon Cowell wanted Nicole Scherzinger on the judges’ bench of the UK show so that she can “spy” on her fellow judges for him!

However, even if it’s true and Simon did send Nicole to the UK to be his “eyes and ears”, she might need to worry more about whether her own job’s safe, since Simon has reportedly promised Mel B a judging role next year.

But to return to the unnamed show source who reckons Nicole is Simon’s mole, he/she said, “Nicole’s been confiding in her team that Simon wants her to be his eyes and ears.

“He’ll be asking her for the lowdown on how the judges are performing because he wants it to be the best series yet.”

And on the prospect of yet another shake-up of the show’s judging panel next year, the source said, “You’re only as good as the last show.”

In addition, former judge Sharon Osbourne has told the Daily Star that now she and Simon have made up after their row, she would love to come back to the show.

Sharon of course left The X Factor UK after revealing that she “can’t stand” Dannii Minogue, who was her fellow judge at the time… Continue reading »