MSN's X Factor Blog

X Factor Blogger Bids Farewell

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:44:09 GMT

Hi guys it's me again. I suppose, like me, you're all suffering from X Factor withdrawal symptoms. What are we going to do with our Saturday evenings now? But hey, it's not quite over yet, I've got some X Factor gossip for you. It's about Britain's answer to Mariah Carey, the new X Factor winner of 2006, Leona Lewis.

At her press conference straight after the show Leona revealed: "I still can't believe I've won. All I've ever wanted is to be a singer and now I've got the chance to make it a reality." She said: "My family have supported me through this competition. It has been as hard on them as it has for me! I definitely want to give them a holiday. They deserve it. I can't wait to spend time at home and catch up on sleep!"

Simon Cowell admitted that he'd recognised Leona's talent at her first audition, but hadn't known that she was such a star until the live shows. He said: "The moment she walked into the room, we all knew that she was special. But it was when she sang Summertime at the live shows that I thought 'This girl could be a superstar'. It's been a long time since we've had a singer like Leona in the UK. She could be the next Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. She is amazing."

So it looks like Leona is set for international stardom; Simon has already revealed that he has been approached by music mogul Clive Davis, whose acts include Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston, about the possibility of working with her. I personally believe that he'd closed the deal with Clive Davis ages ago. Simon revealed on Saturday's live final that Leona would be signed to Clive Davis whether she won or lost the X Factor.

Winning The X Factor is only the start of Leona's career. The bookies already have her single, A Moment Like This, tipped to be Christmas No 1. Apparently in the first 30 minutes of release, the digital download beat all records, selling 50,000 copies. So the future looks bright for Leona. Congratulations once again; you deserve that holiday and the £1millon recording contract...and by the way is there any room on that Caribbean cruise for an exhausted blogger?

Ray Quinn hasn't done too badly for himself either. Simon revealed to the Daily Mirror: "I told Ray I was going to sign him. I wasn't going to tell him yet, but I had to after he behaved in such a dignified manner. His reaction was amazing. After what he did for Leona, I didn't want him to go home miserable. We're sending him to LA to record a swing album in the same place Frank Sinatra used."

So it looks like we haven't heard the last of Ray Quinn either. I reckon he'll end up doing just as well as last year's runner up Andy Abrahams. But how about the other contestants, what will become of them? Will Ben Mills get a record deal and become the next Bono? Will Robert become the next RnB sensation and be heralded as Britain's answer to R Kelly? And will the MacDonald Brothers release Shangalang / 500 Miles and clean up at the Brit Awards next year? Only time will tell.

But hey, we've had some great fun over the last few months with the X Factor haven't we? I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank all of the contestants for keeping us so entertained...especially the MacDoogles. We salute you and wish you chart success. And by the way I'm still waiting for a reply in connection with my request to become president of your fan club.

I'd also like to thank you lovely readers for all your emails and comments, which has really made doing this blog a lot of fun. And to any readers who I may have upset, please remember my motto: we aims to please but sometimes we displease!

Thanks very much for reading and here's a selection of some of the kind comments that I've received over the last two months and your views on Saturday's final.

_____

Hi Mr Blog.

Great reading, but what i would like to know is, What's happened to "Shane Ward" last years winner, Simon made him out to be the best thing since sliced bread and went on to say he would have a huge career, he did not even appear on this years Final Show.....strange dont you think ? If anyone knows how Shane is doing please let me know.

Regards. G.G.

Hi, I thought your blog was fantastic, I only started reading it part way through but then I had to look every day! I especially liked your bits on the Macdoogles, cracked me up!
Thanks, Becca

Hello
I am Iryna (sorry for my english). Ukrainian beauty has not got it yet. I just write to say I love you, I mean your blog. Just love it. Language, style, everything. I am journalist myself so you could make a good money by doing it professionally. Good luck in everything you do. And trust me to receive this compliment from a girl, who does not give that much away it is a big thing. I think you great! Bye.
Regards, Iryna

Your blog is the most entertaining part of the X Factor series. Am sending a bit of goss. for you from my local paper.
Pen

I can't believe the winner is going to release a cover of another reality TV singer's song! You would hope that after people have paid money to vote week after week, that they would have the decency to write a new song!! I think it's a joke to be honest.
Sarah

Well I have to say I am gutted. I don't agree - I think it's rare that Ray sings off key and tonight I thought he was way better than Leona - she was OK but he was brilliant - I really hope he goes on to be successful
Martin

_____

May the Force be with you. Until next year... adios! I'm outta here.

Will Leona be an international star? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

A Review Of Simon's Final

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 14:58:44 GMT

This was Simon Cowell's final in every sense of the word - on the one hand, he had Raymond Quinn, but on the other, he had Leona Lewis. All week Leona Lewis was everyone's favourite to win; every day (it seemed) there was a story about her in the papers. Ray Quinn, on the other hand was the underdog, but continued to gain support in the days leading up to the final. Who would be crowned X Factor winner 2006? Would it be the King of Swing Ray Quinn or East London's answer to Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis?

On to the hour-and-a-half final. In addition to Ray and Leona singing, the time needed to be padded out somehow. In between some of Kate Thornton's questions and urges for people to vote, there were filler acts. I especially liked the version of Earth Song performed by the awful auditioners (or is it auditionees?). That was hilariously bad! And can I say that they performed it better than Michael Jackson's travesty at the World Music Awards? At least they sung it all the way through (unlike the King Of Flop who could only manage a few lines of 'We Are The World'). Little Sean, the 16-year-old who missed out on the live shows due to his nerves, finally got to sing to a live audience. There was still a trace of nervousness (perfectly natural), and there were points where he sounded like a braying sheep, but overall, the audience were very kind to him.

The time was also filled with the final 12 coming back to sing for the last time ever on national TV (for most, if not all, of them). We were reminded of contestants we'd already forgotten: 4Tune, The Unconventionals, Dionne 'I ain't no backing singer' Mitchell...You could almost hear the desperation in their voices: 'remember me! Remember me! Remember me!' Of course we'll remember you. Next time we order a Happy Meal, we'll say: "Hey, I remember you off the X Factor!"

I should also mention that Andi Peters was at the pressing plant, ready to press the button to manufacture copies of Kelly Clarkson's song A Moment Like This as soon as the winner was announced. After hearing Ray's version, I bet he pressed the button before the announcement...So in between all the filling of time by Kate Thornton and the pointless (but funny for all the wrong reasons) cutaways to Jade Goody's ex boyfriend, Jeff Brazier and Myleene Klass, there was a contest to win. How did the two finalists do? Well, it always felt like Leona's final. Basically, it was her crown to lose and she didn't mess it up. She won it emphatically with the final song in my opinion...

1st song
Ray Quinn: My Way - by Frank Sinatra

Ray opened the show with 'My Way', and I must admit I was a bit surprised seeing as it is best performed as a farewell song. His rendition of the Sinatra classic was OK, but nothing we haven't already heard before from him. If I have a criticism, it's that, Like Leona, he didn't really surprise us on the night. The beginning was a little weak, which is a trait of his, but he came alive in the middle and ended on a high. As usual the audience was entertained and so was I.
My rating: 7/10

Judges' Comments

Louis: "All I can say is you've come a long way. You are ambitious, hard working, people like you and I think you can win it."
Sharon: "You definitely did it your way, all I can say is best of luck."
Simon: "All I can say is you are Teflon aren't you? This is the song that changed it for you. You came in to win, the public love you and I think you may win it."

2nd song - That's Life by Frank Sinatra. Duet with Westlife

If I say that Yawnlife...I mean Westlife probably killed Ray's chances, their fans won't be happy. However, they all looked like they were having fun and the song came across well. Simon was against this song choice because he thought it was too much in the same vein as My Way. However, Westlife agreed to make a surprise guest appearance and rehearsed the song the night before with Ray, who they described as a true professional.
My rating: 7/10

3rd song - Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra

Ray's best performance; it definitely put him ahead of Leona at this point. He showed star quality with this number and proved that he can be a true showman.

Judges' Comments:

Louis: "Ray you are a true professional. If anyone was a born entertainer, you are. I loved you in the first audition."
Sharon: "Mr entertainment you should be called because there is nothing you can't do."
Simon: "Ray you have had an outstanding night young man. I'm so happy I took a chance on you. You are on your way to winning the X Factor."
Ray: "My respect goes out to all three judges. I just wanted to make Simon proud. Pick up the phone for both of us. Leona is amazing and we both deserve to be there."
My rating 9/10

1st song
Leona Lewis - I Will Always Love You By Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston

As soon as it started, my heart sank. Yes she can sing. Yes she can imitate Whitney Houston's arrangement of this song very well. But a little variety would've been great. However, like Ray, Leona played to her strengths and it was ballads all the way for her including this classic. It was OK, but I wasn't exactly blown away by it. Leona went off key with one of the high notes and at that point, I ducked for cover behind the sofa fearing that the TV would explode from the shrill...but hey, she got through it with her dignity intact, so who cares if she messed up a little?
My rating: 7/10

Judges' Comments

Louis: "Leona, that was an incredible performance. You have some very rare talent. You have star quality. I predict that you are gonna sell records worldwide."
Sharon: "I have to agree, if there ever is gonna be a contestant that will be a huge star, it's you."
Simon: "You have delivered week after week. I am told that this country will never produce anyone who will represent Great Britain on the world stage, you have proven them wrong."
Leona: "Thank you so much, I'm so happy to be sharing this with Ray. Thanks to everyone who has picked up the phone."

2nd song - A Million Love Songs duet with Take That

It has to be said, this performance blew the audience away. She sounded very natural singing along with Gary Barlow and the rest of the lads. It almost sounded as if it had always been written to be sung with a female co-lead. After her performance, Leona admitted: "It's amazing, I feel so lucky and so honoured working with the guys".

Gary Barlow said to Simon: "Both contestants are great, but this girl is probably fifty times better than any other contestant you have ever had, so you have a big responsibility to make the right record with her." I couldn't figure out if his comments were meant as a threat, or if he was just trying to flog Simon a few songs that had been gathering dust from his failed stint as a solo artist.
My rating 9/10

3rd song - All by Myself by Eric Carmen

Another same-old, same-old performance. Hearing that everlasting note at the end doesn't quite have the same impact the second time around though. No surprises from Leona - just cool professionalism.

Judges' comments

Louis: "That was an amazing, emotional and powerful performance and you are the first contestant I could compare with, Maria, Whitney, Christina etc."
Sharon: "As usual faultless. It's a travesty if you don't win this contest."
Simon: "Leona, if there was one performance that is so important that was it. I think that final note may have won you the X Factor. I'll take your personality any day."
My rating 8/10

With months of auditions and three months of live shows, The X Factor was reaching its climax. After having performed three songs each, the £1 million recording contract hinged upon our opinion of the winner's song, the Kelly Clarkson hit, 'A Moment Like This'.

Ray Quinn performed first, and this was where he blew any hopes he had of snatching the crown from Leona. In my opinion, he shouldn't have even bothered going on the stage. Ray sounded (and looked) like a ten-year-old attempting a Karaoke number for the first time; in fact, infants performing school Nativity plays sing better. My family all looked at each other and my sister-in-law went to put the kettle on. It was all over. We knew that even a Leona with a throat infection would absolutely wipe the floor with what Ray had delivered.

And so to Leona's version. She came. She sang. She conquered. They say it's not over until the fat lady sings - well the fat lady had left the building for a Big Mac at that point. I had Ray slightly ahead of Leona until the final song, but once Leona started singing there could be only one winner.

The Judges Comment Before The X Factor 2006 Winner Is Announced

Simon said that it was, "a ding-dong of a show." Commenting on round one, Louis said: "I have to pick Leona because her voice was incredible." Sharon chose Leona as the act who had won round one and Simon said: "I have to be impartial tonight. I thought both contestants had an incredibly good night."

Judging on round two, Sharon said: "Westlife and Ray - I was taken back, it was fantastic; it was a showstopper. You can tell Ray loves what he does." Simon said: "All credit to Westlife and Take That. They came on and embraced it because not many artists that would come on and share the spotlight. Total magic. Very difficult to get this together. We were originally doing Christmas songs, but ditched them on Thursday night because we got calls from Take that and Louis gave Westlife a call and both groups wanted to duet."

Commenting about round three, Simon said about Leona's All By Myself: "I thought it was a staggeringly good performance, one of the hardest songs to sing but, it was extraordinarily good." Sharon said: "Ray, as always is so entertaining but I am dying to hear Leona's new album. Ray is the constant entertainer and Leona is the voice."

Once again, Kate Thornton did her best to generate some tension and excitement. After a pause, she announced Leona as, not only the first female X Factor finalist, but also the first female X Factor winner. Congratulations Leona!

Join me tomorrow for my final entry where I'll give you my view of X Factor 2006 and also publish some of your comments. Bye for now.

Can Leona achieve international pop success? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

Leona Lewis Winner Of X factor 2006

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:38:04 GMT

Not as gripping a final as previous years; Leona won but Simon is the bigger winner. Join me tomorrow and I'll give you a full review.

Is Leona a worthy X Factor winner? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

The Final Countdown: X Factor 2006

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 12:26:32 GMT

We've had the tears and the sob stories (and that was just Louis Walsh), we've had the laughter (the auditions!) and we've had the unbelievable (how did The MacDonald Brothers survive so long?) but now The X Factor final is here. The burning question on everyone's lips is: will Leona win? I don't know about you, but I'm beginning to have a few doubts. Did anyone watch X Factor Access All Areas last night? You know, that cheesy show presented by Ben Shepherd. Well, as I was watching, I couldn't help thinking that Leona's lack of charisma could seriously hinder her chances of winning the competition.

Don't get me wrong, I would like to see Leona triumph, but I don't think she has the kind of personality needed to win over British public and the viewers voting at home. Leona will have to pull something extra special out of the bag tonight if she's going to win the competition, but judging by how she sounded in the final rehearsal, I wonder if she will do anything that will surprise us. Has she peaked too soon or is she saving the best till last? We'll find out tonight.

Ray, on the other hand, seemed to come across as the life and soul of the party. In fact, he even seemed a touch cocky at times. Nevertheless, he appeared relaxed and confident. Ray sounded very good in the rehearsals, he really is a showman and that's the major difference between him and Leona. When Ray Quinn performs, you tend to come away feeling that you've been entertained (even if he's off-key, as he often is); however, after a Leona performance, the tendency is only to focus on how good she sounded or looked. Nothing more.

I think the result could go either way. Simon Cowell talking about last week's show said: "It's as close as any competition I've ever been involved with in my life and I think there are something like a thousand votes separating the two from last week so I can't call it." If Simon is right, we're in for a great show. But what might save Leona tonight is the winner's song, which was originally sung by Kelly Clarkson. I reckon she'll do a good rendition of that song as it's more suited to her style of singing. Ray could possibly struggle as it wouldn't sound very good in swing.

Last night on X Factor Access All Areas, Ben Shepherd revealed that Leona and Ray would duet with Take That and Westlife. That should be quite interesting. I wonder who is going to be dueting with who? Maybe Ray will attempt to fill the shoes of Robbie Williams and duet with Take That, but I don't know if that's such a good idea. Fresh-faced Ray stood next to an ageing boy band would make them look like four individuals in desperate need of Zimmer frames and false teeth, especially Gary Barlow; he needs to cut down on the cream cakes.

However, at least Take That had (and still have) some kind of originality and spark about them - Westlife are the most boring group on Earth. Next to them, even Leona has a personality. She's still the bookmakers' favourite to win The X Factor but only time will tell. Join me tomorrow for a full review of the show and my rating on their performance.

Here's a reminder of tonight's song choices:

Leona Lewis:

Summertime / George Gershwin or Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word / Elton John
All By Myself - Celine Dion / Eric Carmen
Oh Holy Night - Celine Dion
A Moment Like This - Kelly Clarkson (The X Factor Winner's Single)

Ray Quinn:

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas - Bing Crosby
My Way - Frank Sinatra
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
A Moment Like This - Kelly Clarkson (The X Factor Winner's Single)

Bye for now. Who will win the X Factor? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

The X Factor 2006 Final Song Choice

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:58:44 GMT

Wow! The much-anticipated X Factor final is almost upon us, so how have things been shaping up as we approach Saturday's live show? By now I'm sure you're all aware that the winner's single is Kelly Clarkson's hit 'A Moment Like This.' There has been a bit of controversy over the song as some of the finalists felt that it's given Leona an unfair advantage as it was originally sung by a woman.

It's also been reported in the Sunday People that Leona was allowed three trips to the recording studio to perfect her version of the winner's single, while Ben, who got the boot last week, was given just one four-hour visit. Apparently a source told The People: "Each contestant should have been given the same amount of time but clearly they haven't. Despite getting it right the first time, Ben would have loved to come back to perfect it even more." Interestingly Ray was also allowed a second session at the recording studio. I don't know about you, but I think this says a lot about the way that Simon wants the competition to go.

In fact at a show press conference earlier on in the week, Simon tossed a coin to determine in which order the two acts would sing but, after winning the toss, Ray was unable to decide whether to go first or second. A subsequent toss revealed that he would sing second, meaning that Leona will be first to brave the crowds - and an estimated 12 million viewing audience - on Saturday.

Both Leona and Ray will perform four songs each - including their own version of the winner's single, 'A Moment Like This'. The songs for this Saturday's live final are:

Leona Lewis:

Ray Quinn:

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas - Bing Crosby
My Way - Frank Sinatra
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
A Moment Like This - Kelly Clarkson (The X Factor Winner's Single)

There isn't much to say about Leona - she's got the looks, the voice and the not-exactly-subtle backing of Simon Cowell; I still say she needs her own singing style and a personality. However, looking at the song choices, she's chosen well. Summertime, written by George Gershwin, is one of the most moving songs you'll ever hear in your life. It has been sung by anyone and everyone. If Leona gets that particular song right, it could be the one that wins her The X Factor.

Ray could possibly surprise us. He's chosen classic numbers which will appeal to a large cross section of viewers. Once Ray starts singing 'I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas', the song Bing Crosby is eternally associated with, he'll have all the pensioners on their feet, and half the country singing along with him at home. He's been very clever with his song choices and this could possibly swing things in his favour (geddit). I just get the feeling that the British public will not just vote for the greatest vocalist necessarily, but for the individual who proves to be the best all-round entertainer. I have a funny feeling that it could well be Ray on the night.

Who do you think will win the X Factor? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

Is Winning The X Factor A Poisoned Chalice?

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 12:16:46 GMT

Hi, it's me. With the X Factor final getting ever closer, today I'm asking: is it even worth winning? Some of you may be thinking that I've finally lost what little sanity I had: of course it's worth winning, you might be saying. Who wouldn't want a £1 million recording contact? Who would say no to the money the X Factor winner might earn? None of us. But if you want to get rich and famous, should it be via this route? I'm beginning to think that winning the X Factor is a poisoned chalice.

I decided to look up that expression as it's one of those phrases bounded about so frequently, it's easy to gloss over the true meaning. So without trying to sound too patronising, one dictionary defined a poisoned chalice as: 'something that harms the person it is given to although it seems very good when they first got it'. Talk about hitting the nail on the head when it comes to the subject of previous X Factor winners.

Take Steve Brookstein, for example. Now, I've got to be very careful about what I say here because I know that in the past, I've upset a few of Steve's loyal follower(s). However, I was reading his biography on his official website (yes, he does still have one) and if ever there were a prize for the sob story of the year, it would go to Steve Brookstein. I nearly drowned in my tears after reading his biography. In fact it's a wonder I'm still alive (it's a good job those life guards threw me that rubber dinghy when they did. I would've missed the final of The X Factor otherwise).

Winning the X Factor had some benefits, but also some huge drawbacks for him. Steve said: "In the eight months prior to The X Factor, I had sung over 200 hours of paid gigs and supported Dionne Warick. Two of my songs had been covered and I was starting work on an album. In the same period after the show, I had sung for a mere 35 minutes and recorded an album of covers!" Steve concluded by saying: "I'm forever thankful for the exposure that came from winning the show, though I am disappointed they haven't invited me back to this year's show. I'm also thankful to the millions that voted for me and to Simon for initially giving me the chance. I am now recording my new album." Recently, Steve Brookstein played the 930 capacity Worthing Assembly Hall. According to one newspaper, 120 people turned up.

Let's turn to last year's winner Shayne Ward: he's had a mixed year. He started off well by topping the charts with That's My Goal. His next single, No Promises, got to No 2 and his third release, Stand By Me only reached No 14. Do you see a pattern here? Apparently he's been touring abroad, but if I was him, I'd concentrate on what's going on at home. How long do you give him? I'd say he's up to 13 minutes now...

Conversely, some of The X Factor's infamous losers have fared even better than the two winners so far. Remember Maria Lawson? The girl Louis Walsh ditched in favour of the Conway Sisters? She's got a record deal and has released an album. Her visibility is definitely higher than Steve Brookstein's and better than Shayne Ward's. Who can forget Brenda Edwards? She performed an exclusive concert at Ronnie Scott's World Famous Jazz club and is appearing as Mama Morton in the West End hit show Chicago. That could lead to all kinds of other things - maybe even New York's famous Broadway, who knows? Do I even need to introduce Chico? Not many people can claim to have knocked superstar Madonna off the charts, but the former goat herder did. His No 1 hit, It's Chico Time was followed by appearances all over TV, radio and the celebrity circuit. Everybody knows who Chico is, but if you ask 100 people about Steve Brookstein or Shayne Ward, don't be surprised if half don't remember them.

The real challenge for Ray or Leona is to buck the trend of X Factor winners becoming X Factor losers. And as for The MacDonald Brothers? If the curse of The X Factor is still in place, we'll definitely be hearing more from them. The moral of the story is don't win The X Factor!

Is the X Factor worth winning? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

Can Ray Win The X Factor?

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:19:39 GMT

Hi guys, I'm back again. Yesterday we focused our attention on Leona, asking the question: can she be the first girl to win The X Factor? Today we focus on the cheeky chappy from Liverpool, Ray Quinn. He stands between Leona and the million pound recording contract. It's tempting to take the view that, on vocal chords alone, Ray poses no real threat, and that Leona will wipe the floor clean with her opponent. However, Ray has got something that Leona is sadly lacking: and that's the likeability factor.

I remember Ray's first audition on The X Factor. My immediate response was that he was a definite winner. I had him down to win within two minutes of watching his performance.

Ray is not the best singer in the competition (he's probably not the best singer in a shower), but what he does have is a winning personality, and that's why he poses a serious threat to Leona. Ray could quite easily win the British public over with his boyish charm and impish smile. It's quite obvious that he's going to get the votes that count i.e. schoolgirls and grannies. If Ray sings 'You'll Never Walk Alone' then you can add every football fan to that list as well.

Simon Cowell has two acts in the final; so who does he want to win The X Factor? Deep down, I still feel that he's backing Leona. Simon knows that if she wins, he can market her as the UK's answer to Mariah Carey. Can he do the same with Ray? Is Ray Britain's answer to the American crooner Harry Connick Junior? I think you know the answer to that question, and so does Simon.

There's no way young Ray will crack America and sell millions of records there. Not even the great Robbie Williams has achieved that feat yet, so what chance does Ray have? Very little if any. I think that he could possibly go on to do what last year's runner-up Andy Abrahams hhas done; he could make a few albums that appeal to the easy listening market (that will be a nice little earner for him), and maybe be a guest on daytime talk shows, but international record sales? I don't know about that.

Let's just hope that Ray and Leona give us a good show this weekend and that they keep far away from those awful sob stories. Talking about sob stories, here's what some of you thought about Saturday's live show:

Hello there. Just thought I'd take a moment to share my views on your blog instead of working! Regarding the contestants' sob stories; I couldn't agree more that it's tiring and unnecessary, but surely you agree that they are told to come out with this kind of thing. Perhaps it's just me but I would enjoy the show a hell of a lot more (and despite all the aforementioned, it's still one of my favourites) if we were spared the judges' amateur dramatics, the violins and sob stories and just got back to basics. Let's start a campaign! ;) Anyway, back to work and thanks for the blog.
Leah.

My reply: Yes Leah, I totally agree. The sob stories have just got out-of-hand. Let's just hope that this doesn't happen next year otherwise I'll definitely be switching over to Strictly Come Dancing.

There can be no doubt that Leona can sing, but she appears to have as much personality as a wet rag. And, if she went to stage school, which she did, how come she has to resort to getting on the x factor for a break.
Vincee

My reply: Don't be fooled Vincee. This time next year we'll be reading reports about Leona throwing mobile phones at Simon's PA's and about her diva temper tantrums.

Thanks for your emails. Keep them coming.

Can Ray win the X Factor? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

Can Leona Win The X Factor?

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 10:19:01 GMT

Hi guys it's me again. I haven't heard from my mad friend Beelzebum so I assume he's gone off to prey on some other poor old opinionated blogger. Back to more important things, the final of the competition is fast approaching, and the question that most people are asking is will Leona be the first girl to win The X Factor?

She certainly has the vocal ability, the looks, the build (remember Michelle McManus?) in fact almost everything that makes a pop star. However, in my opinion, Leona lacks the one important ingredient that separates the truly great performers from the ordinary ones: charisma and personality. OK, Leona is still quite young and perhaps needs a little time to develop as an artist. She's definitely grown in confidence over the last two months of the competition, but we all know that being able to carry a tune is just not enough to guarantee lasting success - just ask anyone from Hear'Say.

Compare Leona to her contemporaries and idols, for example, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah and Whitney, these women are considered to be great singers and they all have something else besides that strong stage presence and that diva attitude - it is, for want of a better word, the x factor. Does Leona have that? It remains to be seen. Sometimes I wonder if Leona is a true diva at heart, but is trying to play it down in order to win the affection of the great British public. Unlike the Americans, we tend not to warm to overconfident individuals and maybe that's an explanation as to why Leona seems to be holding back.

Has anyone noticed the way she waves as she walks out onto the X Factor stage, just before her performance? Her hand is always kept low and to the side instead of held high and above her head. Now I'm no body language expert, and no, I haven't been speaking to positive thinking guru Chico, but wouldn't you say that her wave is very childish and innocent?

Now, seeing as Leona has Simon Cowell's pop grooming machinery behind her, don't you think that after six weeks of that pre-pubescent waving, he would have picked her up on it by now? Hmmm. Once again, in my personal opinion, clever Simon Cowell knows what he is doing. He's trying to endear sweet little Leona to the British public; he has already gone on record as saying that Leona needs to win The X Factor in order to further her career.

I'm sure he'd love to promote Leona in America as The X Factor winner and Britain's answer to Mariah Carey. That can only be done if she wins. Imagine how much money Simon would make if he could break Leona in America? I reckon that's been a dream of Mr Cowell's for the past couple of years.

Will Leona be the first girl to win the X Factor? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

Join me tomorrow where I'll be giving you my thoughts about Ray's chances of winning the X Factor.

Bye for now.

Crocodile Tears - Blogger Incurs The Wrath Of The Wild Beast!

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:49:07 GMT

Hi guys, it's me again. So we've reached the final week of The X Factor. Boring Ben is no more and it's a Ray and Leona final; I'm yawning already. But you'll never guess what happened to me this weekend; I received communication from the fallen one himself...Beelzebub!

An irate email from someone whose moniker suggests he's got the mark of the wild beast. He read every single syllable of every X factor blog that I've written, and followed it up trying his very best to string together an email of hate. But I know what you're all thinking; that I'm joking around again because only an idiot would take everything written here that seriously. Well, that's what most sane individuals would probably be thinking, but not Beelzebum, sorry...I mean Beelzebub The Wild Beast. In and amongst other things, he reckons I was too harsh on Ray and Leona for coming out with all those sob stories on Saturday's semi-final.

Well, Beelzebum, I stick by my words. I'm fed up of the sob stories that have been such a feature of this particular series of The X Factor. If Ray, Leona and all the other contestants want to tell sob stories, they should go on Jeremy Kyle (back in the day, it would've been Cilla Black's Surprise Surprise show). Last time I looked, The X Factor was a talent contest, not a sob story competition, but that's all we've been getting; sob story after sob story. As far as I'm concerned, X Factor finalists want to win that million pound recording contract, and they'll do so by any means necessary.

Of course sad things happen in people's lives - I accept that. And sad things happen in people's lives that might be shared with the viewing TV public - I accept that too. But there has to be a limit. And playing the sympathy card this year has been stretched further than Sharon Osbourne's face. Too many contestants did this, all the way back to the audition stages. It's now reached the point where I'm almost immune to it (and their mentors are just as bad too). So Beelzebum, don't be a sad and desperate individual with nothing better to do with spare time than to spend a whole day lamenting over the personal opinions of a crazy blogger; my advice is lighten up. Life is too short to be taking everything so seriously.

As for the rest of us, I suggest that we brace ourselves for yet more sob stories, soft focus shots, crocodile tears and soft music. The final of The X Factor is bound to be filled with even more tales of the 'triumph over adversity' type. Let's hope that next year, they just get on with the singing.

Have there been too many sob stories on the X Factor this year? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board... if you dare!

Semi-Final Live Show Review (week 8)

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 07:55:24 GMT

This week's special guest star was Gloria Estefan. It was good to see her strutting her stuff on The X Factor stage, but I must admit I couldn't help thinking that she'd seen better days. Talking about ageing pop stars, Take That will be making an appearance on next week's live final, so I'm sure we'll be in for a good show. But back to the semi-final, how did the contestants do?

Simon 16-24s

Ray Quinn: 1st song - Smile by Nat King Cole

Ray opened the live show with Smile. It's a song that we've heard Ray sing before, but this week he made a concerted effort to keep away from the swing version. I thought that Ray did a good job on this number, but the more I listened to it the more I came away with the impression that some of his song choices are just a little bit too big for him.

Judges' comments

Sharon: "You have been such a dark horse in this contest and here you are coming up on the outside. I did think you were a one trick pony and you are not. You have been delivering."
Louis: "You got here because people like you. Great personality, great work ethic. Out of the three people, you have the best personality."
Simon: "I'm going to keep this brief because I don't want to tempt fate but I think you are one song away from going into the final next week."

My rating 7/10.

2nd song - You'll Never Walk Alone by Rogers and Hammerstein

'You'll Never Walk Alone' is the No 1 football anthem, and perhaps that's the reason why I kept expecting to see a choir of larger louts suddenly appear on stage along side young Ray. His performance was a bit shaky at the beginning, but he managed to pull through in the end. But isn't it amazing how Ray can turn on the water works at will? I suppose it's something he was taught at acting school. Never mind winning the X Factor, with those crocodile tears Ray could easily win an Oscar.

My rating 6/10

Leona Lewis: 1st song - I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston

Leona absolutely nailed the Whitney Houston classic. In fact, I closed my eyes through out her performance and couldn't tell the difference. Leona gave a great rendition of the song.

Judges' Comments

Louis: "Leona, every week you always give a great performance I just have one thing to say, if there is any justice in the whole world, you have to be in the final next week."
Sharon: "Leona superb again, you have never faulted, every time it's superb."
Simon: "Leona it is so easy to assume you are going to be in the final after that performance. I am incredibly proud of what you have achieved. You have grown more than any of the other contestants."
My rating 10/10

2nd song -Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland

Before her performance, Leona mentioned that she was dedicating the song to a cousin who had recently passed away. I wish the finalists would stop trying to get the sympathy vote in this way. It's so tacky. The way they carry on, you'd think the grim reaper only selects the family members of X Factor finalists. Anyway, although the judge's raved on about Leona's performance, I thought that it was nowhere near as good as the Eva Cassidy version. This was the song I was sooo looking forward to hear Leona sing, but I wasn't blown away. It was just OK.
My rating 7/10.

Sharon 25s and over

Ben Mills: 1st song- Everything I Do (I Do It For You) Bryan Adams

The song suited Ben's voice, but in my opinion it was nothing that we haven't already heard from boring Ben.

Judge's comments

Simon: "Ben, I think that is by far the best performance you have had in weeks. I don't think anyone deserves to go. Terrific performance."
Louis: "You have a brilliant rock voice. You deserve to be in the final."
Sharon: "Ben, I have to hand it to you, you chose the song and you nailed it, it was all you this week and you made the right choice."
My rating 7/10.

2nd song, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - by U2

Once again this was a good performance from Ben. Not as good as the U2 original (of course), but also, not as inventive as a fantastic soulful cover version sung by British group The Chimes (you can listen to a snippet of their version on this BBC page, scroll down to the bottom). However, this was a good way to end the live show.
My Rating 7/10.

So, as I correctly predicted in Thursday's blog entry, it's a Ray and Leona final. Boring Ben got the boot and Simon has two of his acts in the final, which is no surprise to us. Conspiracy... conspiracy!

Join us for Ben Mills's reaction to being booted off the show and more X Factor gossip tomorrow. Who will win the X Factor? (As if we don't already know) Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

Boring Ben Gets The Boot

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 21:14:00 GMT

Boring Ben has been given the boot and so it's going to be a Ray and Leona final. Conspiracy...conspiracy...I told you!

Join me tomorrow for a full review and my personal rating of the contestants' performance.

The Semi-finalists' Song Choice

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 07:05:32 GMT

This week, it is The X Factor semi-final and with just Ben, Leona and Ray remaining. Joining the semi-finalists this week will be special, guest star Gloria Estefan who will be performing as well as offering her advice to the contestants. The X Factor Live Show kicks off on this evening on ITV1, 6.30pm and 8.30pm and thereafter, join Ben Shephard on ITV2 for The Xtra Factor straight after both ITV1 shows.

Here are the songs that the finalists will be singing this week:

Simon's 16-24s

Leona Lewis - Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland and I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston

Ray Quinn - Smile by Nat King Cole and You'll Never Walk Alone by Rogers and Hammerstein

Sharon's the over 25s

Ben Mills - Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2 and (Everything I Do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams

Once again, we are in for a very good live show, one not to be missed. That's all from me for now. More from me tomorrow, with the review of the live show and my ratings on the contestants' performance.

Who's for the chop this Saturday? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

The X Factor Files

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:52:43 GMT

As we approach the X Factor final, it seems that strange stories about the competition being fixed and individuals being groomed for the show just keep resurfacing. Have a read of the following and then form your own opinion about who will be in the final next week...

Was Leona 'Groomed For Stardom'?

Rumours are swirling that X Factor favourite Leona Lewis isn't as new to the music industry as first thought. The 21-year-old beauty, who wowed viewers with a performance of Mariah Carey's version of Without You last week, has worked with professionals before. The Daily Star reports. Two top vocal coaches - with links to Leona's mentor Simon Cowell - apparently worked with the young singer up until her TV debut. CeCe Sammy, 28, and John Modi, 30, helped train Leona for stardom and were photographed alongside her, at around the same time they worked with Simon on Celebrity X Factor.

In the past, the musical pair have worked with Pop Idol stars Will Young and Gareth Gates, S Club 7 and Charlotte Church. They have links to 19 Management Sony BMG - where Simon works. A source told the paper: "Around the time of Leona's X Factor audition John and CeCe were working with Cowell on Celebrity X Factor. "There's no doubt they spotted her potential. These are the people who groomed her for stardom." "As has been widely stated Leona has had no recording contract and no management deal."

Well if you think that Leona's story is a one off, wait until you read about Ray Quinn.

The News Of the World are in posession of a tape which reveals Liverpudlian band members Eton Road rehearsing at an agency with none other than X Factor's Raymond Quinn, weeks before both acts applied for X Factor. The tape shows ex Brookside actor Ray rehearsing with Eton Road's David Heath, James Edwards, Daniel Morris and Anthony Hannah, clearly showing that Ray was originally considered as a member of the group before it was decided that he should audition for the show as a solo artist.

Apparently the agency put together Eton Road, but they were never signed and have no management deal with them so they clearly haven't broken any rules, unlike boy band Avenue. They were eliminated from The X Factor earlier in the competition for having a management deal. ITV executives however, say they are not concerned about the footage and a spokesperson for X Factor said neither of the acts (Ray or Eton Road) had done anything wrong and no action would be taken against them as no rules had been breached.

So, on the basis of what you've just read, who do you think will be in the final next week? Well, my money is definitely on Ray and Leona. And come to think of it, do you remember how Ray got his place in the final twelve? Isn't it strange how it mirrored the experience of Eton Road? Eton Road and Ray Quinn were both given a second chance to enter the live show after failing the auditions...how ironic is that? Well at least Ray's acting skills haven't gone to waste.

The three remaining X Factor semi finalists, Ben, Leona and Ray have been rehearsing their songs all week in preparation for Saturdays live show.

Here are the songs that the finalists will be singing this week:

Simon's 16-24s

Leona Lewis - Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland and I Have Nothing by Whitney Huston

Ray - Smile by Nat King Cole and You Never Walk Alone

Sharon's the over 25s

Ben Mills - Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2 and Everything I Do, I Do It For You

So we are in for a really good show on Saturday and one not to be missed. Bye for now. Do you believe that the X Factor final is fixed? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

MacDonalds Offered Record Deal!

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 09:58:08 GMT

I can't believe it. I may have to eat humble pie yet. It seems as though the MacDonald Brothers may get a record deal after all.

Here's a snippet of the article from the Daily Record which proves that pigs can indeed fly:

KERCHING-A-LING
Ex-Roller Woody says: I can make MacDonald Brothers a mint with Shang-A-Lang hit. The X Factor stars The MacDonald Brothers have been offered a record deal by former Bay City Roller Stuart Wood. Woody, who topped the charts with the Rollers in the 1970s, loved the duo's version of his band's hit Shang- A-Lang on Saturday. Although it wasn't enough to keep them on the show, he believes it could have No1 potential. He wants to record it as a double A-side with the Proclaimers' I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), which Ayrshire brothers Craig and Brian performed earlier in the series. Wood's business partner Gordon Campbell said last night: "Stuart absolutely loved the MacDonald Brothers' version of Shang-A-Lang and he wants to sign them up."He knows they might be offered a deal but, if not, he's willing to produce their first single and record.

Can you believe it? The Macdoogles may become pop stars after all. But let's not get too excited, the article concluded by stating that Woody had produced a number of Celtic albums which had topped the Scottish charts and that he was due to release a DVD about his life. So could this be another example of a record producer trying to exploit gullible individuals while lining his own pockets? Only time will tell, but let's hope that all turns out well for the MacDonald Brothers. They've really entertained us over the last two months (I'm not referring to their singing ability) and we wish them well. If everything works out with their new record deal, we should expect to be queuing up for the double A-side single on Boxing Day. Seeing as I am their greatest fan (!) I will be the first person to buy that double A-side single. In fact, I'm going to contact them right now to see if they will make me the president of the MacDonald Brothers fan club.

Join me tomorow, when I will be handing over to you the viewers along with song choice of The X Factor final three

Should the MacDonald Brothers accept a record deal with Ex-Roller Woody? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

MacDooglegate Conspiracy Part II

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:51:08 GMT

Hi guys, I'm back again. The life of an undercover agent is fraught with all kinds of dangers and I've risked life and limb to bring you further evidence to support the MacDooglegate Conspiracy Theory. If you recall, yesterday I stated that after the departure of the MacDoogle Brothers, I smelled a rat. Yes! I suspected foul play. Well, view my latest piece of evidence and tell me you don't smell a dirty, great big stinking skunk!

Who's that young boy singing with Gareth Gates? Yes...it's none other than our Anthony Hannah from Eton Road. Now doesn't the fact that he's captured on video singing with Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates perhaps suggest that The X Factor Bosses could've had their eyes on Anthony Hannah for quite some time? It's possible.

And cast your minds back to earlier on in the competition when Eton Road were suddenly offered a place in the final twelve after it was discovered that one of the groups had cheated. Louis Walsh took a trip all the way back to Liverpool to tell the guys that they'd better pack their bags because they'd made it to the live shows. And to think I was crying tears of joy for these guys! It must've been the Take That song (Never Forget Where You're Coming From) that was playing in the background...it always gets me.

But back to this theory, y'see, it's all beginning to make sense now. I also recall at that time, reading stories that suggested that Eton Road had been put together long before The X Factor competition. When you look at the boys, they do look a bit manufactured (although that pretty much goes with the boy band territory anyway). They've got the right look and they're the right age (they're all under twenty), and lets face it, WestLife are getting a bit long-in-the-tooth now. Their natural boy band shelf-life is coming to an end, so it's no surprise that Louis Walsh announced that he would be giving Eton Road a record deal, and that they would be the supporting act for WestLife on their up-coming tour.

Meanwhile our friends, the MacDoogles, remain upbeat about their X Factor experience. Here's a snippet of something I was reading yesterday about the dynamic duo: "We're over the moon to have come fourth," Brian said. "It's a respectable position and we're really proud of what we achieved." But they insisted they would keep focused on their music career and not be distracted by attention from female fans. Craig said: "We're both single but we're concentrating on our careers now. "We're not banning girls from our lives but we need to focus on the job and keep striving towards our goals."

Talk about being totally misguided. The MacDoogles now believe that they are pop stars and are talking about concentrating on their music career. What career? It's so sad...

Meanwhile, they are still waiting for Louis to give them a record deal. What are the chances of this actually happening? I think that hell will definitely freeze over first.

More on The MacDooglegate Conspiracy Theory tomorrow. Will Louis Offer The MacDoogles a record deal? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

The MacDooglegate Conspiracy Theory

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 05:54:07 GMT

Hi guys it's me again. I still can't believe that the MacDoogles have gone. To me they have been the best part of The X Factor; I haven't laughed so much in ages. What are we going to do without them?

But in all seriousness, I've been thinking about the whole MacDonald Brothers' saga...and I smell a rat. Think about it for a moment. How could two boys with mediocre singing ability manage to beat 100,000 hopefuls and end up coming fourth in a national talent contest? Is the musical talent of the whole of the UK really that bad? The MacDoogles were never in the bottom two and only left the X Factor when the judges decided to give the viewers complete say as to who would be booted out of the competition.

Isn't it strange that the MacDoogles were voted out in that week? The most damning coincidence of all is the fact that Simon Cowell, a judge noted for his ability to spot and develop talent i.e. Teletubbies and Zig and Zag(!), was responsible for allowing the MacDoogles to accidentally slip through the net. In the auditions, when Louis and Sharon were trying to put up some kind of resistance against the MacDoogles' invasion, Simon Cowell was seen to be giving them the thumbs up. So where did Simon get his inspiration from then?

My theory is that he's learnt from the success of 2005 finalist Chico. Initially Simon wasn't keen on Chico, he just didn't get it. But Chico proved to be the dark horse of the competition and eventually went on have chart success, even stopping Madonna from getting to No 1. OK, he has proved to be a one-hit-wonder, but regardless of that, Chico brought excitement to The X Factor.

So have The X Factor Bosses been pulling the wool over our eyes? And worse yet still, have the poor old MacDonald Brothers been mercilessly used? I get the feeling that they are gullible enough to be taken in. I mean, over the last seven weeks they've come to believe that they can sing. I've read reports about them wanting to open up a school for teaching school kids how to sing. They even started to believe that they could become pop stars...how cruel is that?

Last week on The X Factor, Eton Road were offered a deal live on air. Now if Louis believed that the MacDonalds were any good, don't you think he would have made them the same offer? The answer is quite obvious to anybody with an ounce of common sense (but not the MacDoogles).

Talking about the possibility of a record deal, Craig MacDonald said: "Just because he hasn't made it public doesn't mean it's not true," he added "we've been in contact with Louis and he'll finish what he starts. We just need to wait and see." So hang on, does that mean they will be getting signed up? "It's only been 12 hours since we got off stage!" Craig laughs. "But we have faith in Louis and we have faith he'll point us in the right direction. We want a record deal but at the same time we just don't know." Yes I'm sure that Louis will point the MacDonalds in the right direction and it will most likely be the doors of the local Jobcentre Plus in Ayr, Scotland (or one of their fast food restaurants).

I feel that these boys have been taken in and been made an absolute laughing stock. As much as they've kept us all entertained, I believe that they were allowed to slip through the net with the approval of the judges. But that's me. What do you think?

Join me tomorrow for more on The MacDooglegate Conspiracy Theory. So here's my conspiracy theory question of the week: Is there a possibility that the MacDoogles were planted in the competition? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

Saturday Live Show Review (Week 7)

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 10:47:29 GMT

With this week's theme being Barry Manilow, each of the four remaining X Factor contestants - Ben, Leona, Ray and The MacDonald Brothers - had to sing one of his songs, in addition to a second of their own choosing. For the fist time this series, the judges had lost the power to dictate which of the bottom two acts would leave the show. Yes finally, it was down to us, the viewers, to decide who would get the proverbial boot. Amazingly, the result was one that some would feel was long overdue. So, how did the contestants do?

Louis Walsh's Groups

1st song - MacDonald Brothers: Can't Smile Without You by Barry Manilow

After kind words at last from Simon, the boys said: "Last week something amazing happened. We almost burst into tears. It was great to get positive comments for a change. Our confidence is sky high now. We are ready for Simon and we are ready for anything."

Personlly, I felt that the McDoogles gave a lacklustre performance of this Barry Manilow classic. Quite unusual for the the dynamic duo to give a so-so performance isn't it (she said with a heavy dose of sarcasm)?
My rating 5/10

Judges' Comments
Sharon: "A real feel good, fun song to open with. You sang it nicely. The last note you sang was off."
Simon: "Guys, your weakest performance probably so far. I thought it was painful. It’s one of those songs where you have got to have personality to get away with it."
Louis: "I want everyone to vote for you because you deserve it. That was a good performance."

2nd Song - Shang-A-Lang- by The Bay City Rollers

The MacDonald Brothers said: "It's great that we got to choose our own song. We chose one that we used to perform all the time as wedding singers, it gets people up on their feet."

It's come to something when you're forced to admit that you'd rather listen to The Bay City Rollers! However the McDoogles could have done a lot more with this song. It was a good choice for them, but they sang the song without any real conviction. Last week they were moving around on the stage, but this week they might as well have used life-size cardboard cut-outs - that's how stiff they were. I'm surprised that people didn't get up on their feet and head for the nearest exit.

Judges' Comments
Simon: "I surrender. I don't think this has got anything to do with singing anymore. I'm gonna make a prediction, I think this is your final week."
Sharon: "You made everyone here very happy (but not Simon)."
Louis: "People like you guys."
My rating 8/10 (I'm being nice to them at last).

Simon's 16-24s

1st Song -Ray Quinn: Mandy by Barry Manilow

Before he got on stage, Ray said: "Last week's performance for me was amazing. That is just what I’ve waited for all week. I feel as if Simon knows me. I am a little fighter. I want to make so much of every single day that I'm here."

This was Ray's best song by far. His vocal was excellent and I really enjoyed his performance.

Judges' comments
Louis: "You sang and performed it great. A very convincing performance."
Sharon: "You have stopped all that dancing and now you are now the singer. Very elegant performance, well done."
Simon: "I thought your performance was very good. Not the best I’ve heard you sing yet. You are gonna have
to work a little bit harder second time around with your second song."
Mr rating 8/10

2nd song -My Way- By Frank Sinatra

Just before singing Ray said: "This song is really me. This song, I feel is all about what has happened to me. I can't wait to sing it from the bottom of my heart because that is where it lies."

The audience loved it, but personally, I couldn't help comparing it to other versions I've heard before. Naturally they were vastly superior, but overall it was a good performance. Ray certainly did it, 'his way'.

Judges' comments
Sharon: "Ray you sang with such great emotion. You gave it two hundred million percent of your soul. You are like a Jack Russell, you will not go away. You are a very talented artist, a very brave performance. A huge song to take on and you did it."
Louis: "You give it 100 percent evry week. A very big song for a small guy to take on. Well done."
Simon: "After that performance, you deserve a place in the semi final. I took a chance with you and after that performance, Raymond Quinn I am very proud of you."
My rating 7/10

Sharon's Over 25s

1st song - Ben Mills: I Made It Through The Rain by Barry Manilow

Ben said before his performance: "Last week my worst nightmare came true when I was in the bottom two. When Simon said he was going to save me I was just so relieved. This means the world to me. Now, I'm just afraid that I could be going home."

For the first time since the show began, Ben has won me over with his voice. Finally I got to hear another side to his range. It was a good performance and I enjoyed it.

Judges' Comments
Simon: "Ben, Ok, this is what I like you doing best, with no gimmicks. You are a great singer. I thought it was very good."
Louis: "Very believable performance. You put your heart and soul into it."
Sharon: "I can't add anything after your performance. It speaks for itself."
My rating 7/10

2nd song - Somebody To Love by Queen

Ben said before his performance: "I really love this song and I love the band. I have to do something really special this week and pull it out of the bag. I just hope this performance is enough."

Ben performed an acapella version, but it didn't get me; it didn't move me as much. I loved the original Queen version, but Ben's rendition was very disappointing for me. In my opinion, he shouldn't have used the choir alone.

Judges' Comments

Simon: "Full marks for bravery. That was very good."
Louis: "I think it was more than good. You are a brave, brave man and you deserve votes."
Sharon: "You've had good, great and bad nights but you have grown. I have to take my hat off to you. You well succeeded tonight."
My rating: 6/10

Simon's 16-24s

1st song - Leona Lewis: Could It Be Magic by Barry Manilow

Leona said before she stepped up on stage: "Last week, it was fun doing an up-tempo song. We are into the semi final stage of the competition now and I never thought I would be here. Everyday, I just think, thank you so much. At the end of the day I'm just an East End girl."

Brilliant performance, as I expected. I know Leona is a beautiful girl inside and out, but I still feel that she lacks attitude and soul, Leona still hasn't found herself (she's found Mariah though), something is missing.

Judges' Comments

Louis: "Leona, Im trying to find something negative to say about you, I can't. You are getting better with each week. You can do no wrong."
Sharon: "It was fun to see you dancing and you looked so cute. You always sing superbly. Good to see you have fun."
Simon: "Leona that was simply sensational, loved it, loved it."
My rating 9/10

2nd song - I Can’t Live (If Living Is Without You) by Nilsson
Leona said before her performance: "I've chosen this song because it's really emotional and I really feel I can put my heart and soul into it. I used to spend ages listening to this song and just wish it was me singing it on the radio."

Well Leona, you didn't have to tell us that you spent hours listening to that song, it's so obvious...Miss Mariah Clone. In some ways, it's good, but if you don't change that way of singing, you will always be compared to the great diva. We want to hear your voice now!

Judges' Comments

Sharon: "Just so beautifully sung and with great emotion. You sang from your soul."
Louis: "Leona, after that performance we have found a new Mariah, Whitney. You are gonna be a star. You absolutely nailed it."
Simon: "It's easy to asume you will get loads of votes after that. That was just an incredible performance Leona."
Mr rating: 8/10

The X Factor judges had no power to eliminate, with the results being decided entirely by the public. The great British viewers voted and the act that polled the lowest number of votes was The MacDonald Brothers, putting them out of The X Factor 2006. In his comments, Simon predicted that this was their last week. On hearing the news, The MacDonald Brothers said: "This is the biggest thing ever in our lives. Thanks for the opportunity. Its been a great experience."

Having stayed out of the bottom two all series (despite constant criticsm from Simon Cowell), this time their luck ran out and they failed to secure enough public votes. As they performed for the last time, Simon complimented them on their professionalism and for "acting like men" throughout the show.

The Boys' departure leaves mentor Louis with no acts in the competition and me without my favourite national joke. However, Louis ppromised that this wasn't the end for The MacDonald Brothers. And I agree...no way is it the end - not while there's fries to fry and Happy Meals to bag up.

Next week, Ben, Leona and Ray are singing for a place in the final.

Bye for now, more from me tomorrow on how singing legends The MacDonald Brothers feel about being voted off The X Factor

Now that the Macdoogles have left the competition, do you think we've seen the last of them? And how did Simon Cowell know that the McDoogles would go out of the competition this week? Does he have psychic abilities, or are there other dark forces at work?

Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

The MacDonalds Voted Off The X Factor

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 21:33:45 GMT

Well once again, a brilliant show I'm sure you'd all agree. The MacDonalds polled the lowest number of votes and the boys' X Factor dream came to an end.

How do The MacDonalds feel about being voted off The X Factor? Join me tomorrow where I'll give you a full review of tonight's show along with my personal ratings of each performance.

Saturday Live Show, Theme Barry Manilow

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 10:46:19 GMT

With this week's theme being Barry Manilow, each of the four remaining X Factor contestants - Ben, Leona, Ray and The MacDonalds - have to sing one of his songs in addition to a second of their own choosing.

For the fist time this series, the judges have lost the power to dictate which of the bottom two acts leave the show. With only four acts now remaining, it will be the viewers who decide which act gets sent home. So, who's going to be singing what tomorrow? Here's a list of songs for Saturday's Final X Factor Four:

Simon's 16-24s

Leona Lewis: Leona - Can't Live by Mariah Carey and others
Well, what can I say, Leona will deliver.

Ray Quinn: Ray - Mandy by Barry Manilow and My Way by Frank Sinatra
On The X Factor Aftermath Ray sounded real good singing the Frank Sinatra classic 'My Way', but will it be 'the final curtain' for Ray on Saturday night?

Sharon's Over 25s

Ben Mills: Ben - Somebody To Love by Queen
Ben will definitely pull this one off.

Louis Walsh's Groups

MacDonald Brothers: - Shang-A-Lang by The Bay City Rollers
Do you remember The Bay City Roller mania of the 70s? Well that's nothing compared to what we're going to see on Saturday night with the MacDoogles. I saw a preview of their performance on X Factor the Aftermath and they sounded good (and no, I'm not just being nice). MacDoogle mania has arrived!

Once again, we are in for a very good live show, one not to be missed.

That's all from me for now. More X Factor gossip tomorrow.

Who's for the chop this Saturday? Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

Blogger Upsets Macdoogle Fans

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:08:53 GMT

Hi guys, it's me again. It seems as though I've upset one or two McDoogle fans and possibly the singing legends themselves. Before I hand over to you for your say, I'd just like you to read a snippet of something I read the other day:

The MacDonalds depressed by criticism

Simon Cowell's been criticising them almost every week, and the MacDonald brothers have admitted that they've read nasty comments about themselves on the Internet since going on the show. Craig said: "We've never had anything but nice stuff said to us to our faces. When we joined the show we were told that whatever we do we should stay off the internet but it gets you down when you see it."

My reply: OK, I'll come clean...every bad thing that has been said about you guys came from me. I'm sorry if my criticism has depressed you, but in my defence I have to say that your singing has depressed me. In fact, I was down with McDoogle Fever twice in a week because of you boys, so stop your whinging!

Here are a selection of emails that I've received along with my reply:

The disrespect that you are showing these young guys by continually changing their name is an outrage. You tell me ONE other contestant in ANY reality show who has taken the verbal pounding that they have. They will not and should not win it as Leona and Ben should make the final, however the fact that you and those like you think that they know better than the hundreds of thousands who are voting for them is bordering on downright arrogance. You are entitled to your opinion but NOT to assume that it's automatically better than those voting for them.

My Reply: You're not fooling me Craig and Brian McDoogle...I know it's you. And I'm not the only one who's been depressed by your singing. Here's what other people are saying about you...

I don't actually believe the Macdonalds ARE getting the sympathy vote. Sympathy for what? For being dreadful? I don't think that's the British style any more. I think the British public are keeping them in out of mischief and devilment, because people think it's so funny that such an appalling act are still there. They are using their vote to take the mickey and possibly annoy Simon. It's not sympathy that's keeping the Macdonalds going week after week, it's the British public's naughtiness or however you would like to describe it. And if we are not careful, those mischief-makers will vote them right up to the winning position.
Sue

My reply: Nice theory Sue. But how could you be so cruel to those poor boys? Can't you see that they're trying their best to entertain us? And how do some reward their efforts? By voting for them week after week and keeping them on a show which cruelly exposes their lack of talent; if only some of that money could be used to pay for singing lessons for them. And charisma lessons too...

Simon has got a point with the MacDonald Brothers. But they are going to stay the course because all the Scotland votes go to them, It all started when Simon first said what he did, It brought all Scotland to their defence, which cost Kerry and the Angus girl their places
Razzie

My reply: Razzie, Razzie, Razzie! The McDoogles are in the competition because they are truly talented! We must accept this. We must!

Hi it's Jules again!

Well what can I say, The McDoogles love em or hate (personally I hate 'em) but you have to admit they really did pull one out of the bag with their second song! This was the first time in this competition that I have seen them show any kind of personality. Their first song? Frankly boring, matchsticks propping up my eyelids kind of boring and had they only been singing one song last night, well that should have been enough for us to (at last!) see them in the bottom two. Maybe after the reaction of the judges this week we may see some better performances from them in the coming weeks. As always love the Blog, keep up the great work!

Jules

My reply: Thanks for your email Jules. I agree, the McDoogle's performance was very good. In fact we should forget about the competition and give them the million pound recording contract. A world with Westlife at No 1 and The McDoogle's winning The X Factor. Whoopee doo.

Keep your emails coming in I love to hear from you and remember: We aims to please. Sometimes, we displease, but it's all a bit of fun, isn't it? That's all from me for now, more X Factor gossip tomorrow. Share your views in the MSN TV Message Board

By for now. More X Factor from me tomorrow.

Photo Album: The Final 12

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:38:47 GMT

The Final 12

Ashley Mackenzie - out week 4

Ben Mills

4Sure - out week 2

Dionne Mitchell - out week 3

Eton Road - out week 6

Kerry McGregor - out week 3

Leona Lewis

Macdonald Bros - out week 7

Nikitta Angus - out week 5

Raymond Quinn

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Sun, 03 Dec 2006 20:14:36 GMT

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