X Factor - Mirror.co.uk

Alexandra Wins X Factor! (well done everyone)

2008-12-14T13:51:15Z

Alexandra Burke last night stormed, or rather sobbed, her way to victory last night in the X Factor Final.

THANK GOD.

It would indeed have been a travesty if The Little Egg or JLS had beaten her. Not because they were especially awful - all pulled out OK performances and JLS definitely got it together over the last few weeks - but because Ms Burke was so damn good. And anyone who disagrees needs their ears syringed.

The night began with some hideous carol singing, with Eoghan and JLS delivering performances so sugar coated my teeth ached just watching them. Alexandra, on the other hand, belted out a diva-esque performance of Silent Night that had the crowd on their feet.

In the 2nd round Eoghan was completely overshadowed by Boyzone, while JLS held their own with Westlife (Louis obviously pulling in a few favours there). But it was Alex's duet with Beyonce that knocked everyone's socks off. Despite looking like a small child confronted with Santa Claus she sounded almost as amazing as Beyonce herself.

It was funny though, the way she kept pointing at Beyonce in disbelief - and after when she threw herself at the superstar gurgling, 'I love you I love you'. Exactly what I would have done, to be honest.

Finally, with Little Egg out of the running, Alexandra and JLS went head to head singing 'Hallelujah'. Again, JLS gave a commendable performance but didn't stand a chance against Alexandra's goosebumpingly good version. Even Simon Cowell looked genuinely moved, although he could have been mentally totting up how much money she was going to make him.

The entertainment really got going when Alexandra was finally crowned the winner. To say she disintegrated would be an understatement. The girl practically dissolved in hysterical shock, had to be held upright, and her make-up ran off her face - at which point the producers thought it'd be a good idea to make her sing again. Which was a bit of a disaster.

An hour later, still dazed and confused, the X Factor winner was gazing around in disbelief, clutching a pink teddy bear and occasionally blurting out to Holly Willoughby that now she wanted to have a big party. Bless.

Having voted for her an embarrassing number of times I am obviously really happy - and also incredibly relieved. It would have been truly awful if we, the public, had been blinded by Eoghan's teddy bear factor, or JLS's likeability. Especially when it turns out that Eoghan got the most votes in 6 shows.Thank God the contestant with the most vocal ability actually won. Congratulations to Alexandra - and to ourselves, for making the right choice.

Get Alexandra Burke's X Factor fashion

2008-12-13T00:00:01Z

X-Factor has taken over our Saturday nights, but it’s not just the singing talent that’s got us hooked, it’s the fabulous outfits.

When it comes to fashion, our vote goes to Alexandra Burke, who’s hitting all the right notes. She’s stolen the show with a selection of sexy sequinned mini-dresses and figure-hugging frocks.

The 20-year-old Londoner is being tipped to win this year, so here’s how to get your hands on her Saturday night wardrobe…

Join the glitterati

Alexandra sparkled in this sequinned dress, £319.99 from Chica (www.chicaboutiqueonline.com) but you can also shine in this M&S design. £79, www.marksandspencer.com

Make waves

She stood out from the crowd in this Charas design, £140, (www.charasdesignerwear.co.uk) and so will you in this wave design sequinned dress from Next. £45, www.next. co.uk

Breathe in tight!

The high street’s full of corset mini dresses, but save the £220 you’d spend on this Reiss design (www.reiss.com) and pick one up from Asos. £38, www.asos.com

In the pink

Complete your glamorous look with this bright pink coat. £60, www.freemans.com

Get more fashion tips on the Fashion blog

Vicker's turns nasty...

2008-12-09T14:39:44Z

Eventhough Diana Vickers has been booted off the X Factor, she still gets invited round to Cheryl's pad for dinner. Apparently even Ashely was there for the Sunday dinner.

Do we detect a bit of a guilty conscience from Mrs Cole after rumours suggesting that Diana threw a hissy fit at her mentor after Saturday's night show, blaming the Girls Aloud 'singer' for her premature departure.

It's not Chezza's fault the public didn't like you Diana, she just chose the songs. All you had to do was warble your way through them. Fair enough, maybe Dido's White Flag wasn't the best choice as the dreary ballad wasn't enough to make it into the final but to blame it on poor Cheryl...that just isn't very nice Miss Vickers!

According to Diana, all is well in Camp Cole. She also insists that her and Eoghan ARE just good friends and bonded beacuse they are a similar age, judge for yourself in the video below...

Ok, it could be true but after his reaction to her departure i'm still a little suspicious over the little lad's feelings for the Blackburn lass. What with Diana apparently ditching her boyfriend Chris Jones, only time will tell if there is to be a happy ending to this X Factor love story...

I would have been sad at Diana's departure but I was too busy laughing at Eoghan

2008-12-08T10:04:20Z

I should be gutted that my favourite, Diana Marmite Vickers, is now out of the X Factor, but I'm actually still laughing at Eoghan's devastation at her departure. I don't mean in a Bond villain/Dr Evil 'WUHahahahaha' kind of way because it was actually quite cute, if completely and utterly over the top.

What it did highlight is just how young the wee lad really is. You'd have thought he'd just been told his world was about to end, such was his utter woeful abandonment. If it had been a grown-up sobbing so uncontrollably and clinging on to her like a drowning man with a life raft it would have been cause for scandal. But really - he looked exactly like what he was; a 16 yr old lad completely besotted with this older, more glamorous female.

Maybe there's some truth in the rumours of a romance although I hope not. I mean, yeugh. I know she's only a year older than him but it could easily be ten years.

I suppose I've warmed to Eoghan, simply because he is just soooo cute, and his voice isn't completely hideous. But the point is that this small boy has nothing on the fully grown diva that is Alexandra Burke. She just powered her way through two huge songs on Sat, proving that she can really sing, dance and look unbelievably hot all at the same time. More importantly, she's not going to completely break down at the first set back, a la Quigg.

I sincerely hope we're all able to pull the Quigg-induced fluff from our eyes and actually vote for the person with the most talent, rather than the one we'd most like to take home and cuddle. I mean really, it would be like Beyonce being beaten by a Furbie.

Diana fails to make final three...

2008-12-07T14:54:39Z

I think I was just a little bit too excited when Diana Vickers got booted off of X Factor last night.

I had never really been a massive fan of Diana and her claw as it is well known fact that I find her extremely irritating and last night was no exception.

As she warbled her way through Dido’s White Flag, it was obvious that the once favourite of the competition was struggling, especially as the other contestants were so much stronger than her. Ok well maybe not Eoghan, the cheap High School Musical gimmick is just not enough for him to win the show, it has to stop. He is no Zac Efron and a 16 year old singing Abba is not cool, no matter what Simon Cowell may think.

Diana looked horrified as Dermot announced she would miss the final but little Eoghan looked a bit too distraught for my liking. The lad was literally gutted at the news of 'best friend' Diana leaving the competition...I’m thinking maybe Eoghan had a bit more than a school boy crush on the boho bimbo.

It was more like boohoo bimbo last night as she couldn’t even finish her last performance without Eggnog, sorry Eoghan or whatever his name is embracing her on stage. I almost has to reach for the sick bucket.

I am so happy that Alexandra made the final as I think both her performances were amazing last night. I really liked her rendition of Unbreak My Heart, the Toni Braxton classic as it really showed off her voice. Maybe she was singing it for lovebirds Vickers and Quigg but whatever the reason, it was an excellent song choice.

She definitely gave it her all unlike Diana, whose feeble attempt at White Flag landed her in trouble. Even JLS managed a great performance of Rihanna's tune Umbrella which earned the foursome a place in the final. I think I have developed a big soft spot for the lads after last night and I hope they do well next Saturday. That’s if Marvin’s singing is kept to the bare minimum, the boy really is no solo artist.

As for Diana, I think she felt she had already won the competition after being the bookies fave from the start. Even though her performance of Girlfriend by Avril Lavagine (an ironic song choice considering the Eoghan rumours) was good enough, she has struggled week after week since she was 'struck down' with Laryngitis.

Is that where it all went wrong for little Diana from Blackburn? She looked the one to beat after singing Blondie’s Call Me a few weeks ago, but after last nights performances, her days were definitely numbered. At least we won't have to put up with her warbling anymore and the infamous claw will not be missed.

With the final looming, I am still undecided who I want to win. I really liked JLS last night, but feel Alexandra is so talented that she deserves the X Factor crown. As for Eoghan, I hope he is voted off next as he is no-way near as good enough as the others but knowing this competition, the big-haired teenager will probably win. I’m hoping the general public will put talent before the ‘ahhhh’ factor this time!

Exclusive: X Factor finalist secret gig videos!

2008-12-02T13:49:24Z

It seems that not even the X Factor finalists can escape the downside to the great British winter. At a top-secret gig in a Carphone Warehouse store on Oxford Street in London last night, two of this year’s hopefuls were struck down with sore throats.

Favourite Alexandra Burke, who quite frankly better win the competition or I am NEVER watching X Factor again could only perform one song at the concert, You Are So Beautiful - check her out in the video footage shot on a mobile below. Good, eh?

I think you’ll agree that despite having a sore throat, she still managed to do better that Britney Spears on Saturday nights show. But then, that is another story…

Talking of miming - which of course, Britters most certainly wasn't - JLS front-man Aston Merrygold was also struck down with a sore throat - and even lost his voice. The pint-sized singer was forced to mime his way through two of JLS’s ‘greatest’ performances as the rest of the band battled on without him.

The lads sang the Boys II Men hit, One Sweet Day, already a hit with the judges on the show… Watch it below.

They then went on to perform their own rendition of Ben E. King’s Stand by Me, serenading some lucky female fans…

Okay, so the performance wasn’t quite suicidal but a word has to be said about Marvin’s vocals. He just isn’t good enough to sing alone and if he had entered the competition as a solo artist, he wouldn’t have got through the auditions…FACT!

However, I am a big JLS fan and hope they make the final. They are arguably the best group to have ever graced the X Factor stage, but with competition from previous groups Same Difference and Journey South it really isn’t that hard.

Little Eoghan Quigg fortunately did not have a throat infection as he impressed the crowd by performing the George Michael song One More Try…

After watching that performance, I think Eoghan has been taking too many tips from Diana Vickers and her infamous claw. His hand was slightly over-worked in that performance but he did manage to make a less-known George Michael song sound okay.

Eoghan also performed the John Lennon classic Imagine which I think is from his best week so far in the competition.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a clip of Diana Vickers but we do have a lovely picture of the Blackburn beauty…

She warbled her way through Blondie’s Call Me and Man in the Mirror from Michael Jackson week. I have nothing against Miss Vickers, apart from the fact I find her extremely irritating.

And not worthy of winning the X Factor title.

And so affected with her quirkiness that I want to put my fist through the TV every time she's on.

Apart from those little points, I have absolutely nothing against her.

I just hope that Alexandra is crowned X Factor winner and Diana doesn't get her claw on the title.

Video: X Factor's Little Eoghan Quigg shows that he's been paying attention in philosophy class

2008-12-02T11:50:33Z

At last night's secret X Factor gig in association with The Carphone Warehouse:

Coming soon: Eoghan explores the nature of truth and beauty in the Cheeky Girls' 'Touch My Bum' song.

C'mon people, use the power of your vote and pick Eoghan Quigg or JLS to annoy Simon Cowell

2008-12-02T11:39:07Z

Who are the worst wannabes left in The X Factor?

I’d say we’re talking about huge headed Eoghan Quigg and that completely useless boy band JLS.

So come on everybody – vote for Eoghan or JLS!

Just to really annoy Simon Cowell. Because he won’t make much money out of either of them.

Let’s face it … this X Factor series has served up a load of dullards with about as much star quality as a bucket full of earthworms.

After pulling all our strings like the manipulative puppeteer he is, ringmaster Cowell is banking on the public to do what they’re told and vote for Diana or Alexandra.

Both girls are reasonably marketable … he wants one of them on his record label. They’re pretty boring – but so was Leona Lewis. And she’s made super rich Simon bundles of cash.

But now we have a golden opportunity to strike a blow for freedom and rebel.

Reality shows are supposed to be about the power of the people. We’re meant to call the shots. Not Simon Cowell.

So if you want to be more than just a willing pawn in the Dark Lord’s game – let your fingers do the talking and dial Quigg. Or JLS.

Britney Spears bombs: The worst X Factor show so far

2008-12-01T12:43:46Z

Saturday’s show was an absolute disaster!

1. The best vocalist, bar Alexandra, was booted out. Didn’t I tell you last week she was a female Bon Jovi. Her version of the rock God’s ‘Always’ was perfect 90s kitsch. I’ll miss the drama of the ‘sexy senorita’ but Simon looked like he’ll sign her anyway.

2. 'Superstar' Britney bombed BIG STYLE

- Knock, Knock - Hello, Captain Vague. Simple Spears was unable to answer any of Dermot’s questions: Dermot: “Our acts have been doing your songs tonight, I know you’ve been backstage, how do you think they’ve gone?�? Britney: “Amazing! I’ve met so many different people, the place is beautiful and I love being here in London�?. Something tells me she’s not yet mentally stable after the breakdown. I was so embarrassed for her I had to hide behind a sofa cushion.

- She looked about as supple as my grandma. Come on, love, if you’re gonna defend not singing live with the fact your routines are, like, sooooo demanding at least put on a good show. Note to Britney: Save your career by trying; take a leaf out of Madge’s book and go to yoga.

- She wasn’t gracious enough to meet the contestants and give them a bit of guidance, which would have been appreciated since she’s riding on the back of their success to sell her new single. But then again she probably isn’t the best person to be offering advice on how to handle fame, sing live, etc..

- And to top off the ridicule: All of her songs sounded crap covered.

Compared to Miley Cyrus (the 16-year-old's performance was damn fiesty and slick) Brit looked an amateur.

After all this musical nonsense my question of this week is: Why is that silly singing squirrel/earth worm (can’t decide which he looks most like) with the toilet brush hair given more support than the other contestants?

As one of my colleagues wrote in a postscript to an email: “His weak and tinny voice is being boosted by a full musical production behind him whilst the other contestants just sing on their own.

“Last Saturday (Take That week) the chorus completely took over and carried him through the song.�?

Separated at birth: Eoghan Quigg and Chucky from Child's Play

2008-12-01T06:27:24Z

Eoghan Quigg from The X Factor and Chucky from Child's Play

X Factor's Britney Spears night: My verdict

2008-11-30T13:26:14Z

Every time The X Factor takes on the songs of a genuine superstar all it does is expose their contestants’ limitations.

Michael Jackson week was a disaster. A show of Britney Spears’ songs on Saturday wasn’t far behind.

Here’s my verdict on how it went.

Best of a bad bunch, by a mile was ALEXANDRA.

After her fantastic performance of Candyman, I really expected her to take Toxic in her stride – even with the original choreography.

But concentrating on the dance routine seemed to distract her. Her voice just isn’t suited to low. She just about turned it round though and Louis Walsh concluded (as usual),“you have to be in the final.�?

Her second song – a stunning, full-throttle version of Beyonce’s Listen – made sure of it. Looking as much as Leona as possible, she showed she can really sing. Better yet, she’s got soul.

This is more than you can say for the others.

Eoghan’s Sometimes was Cute with a capital C; dull.

Even Simon Cowell, his mentor, dismissed it as nothing better than “OK�? while Eoghan’s enthusiasm for singing a Britney song was zero. His version of We’re All In This Together showed where his real audience is: kids.

JLS’ version of Hit Me Baby One More Time was another disaster for them like their Beatles’ medley. Ropey harmonies, no expression, dull, one-paced.

“A horrible song choice for you,�? Cheryl said.

“In one word, limp,�? agreed Cowell.

You Light Up My Life saved them as they remembered they are actually a band.

In recent weeks, they’ve totally lost their identity. Unless they got back to r ‘n’ b and something more contemporary their chances of winning are zip.

As usual for Diana’s version of I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman she sang all the right notes, just not necessarily in the right order. When it’s in tune, her voice has quite an appealing country twang to it but Cowell opined, “you’re in trouble tonight�? and, intelligently, she agreed.

Her version of Everybody Hurts was excruciating – totally out of key, warbling away like someone in the shower.

Incredibly though, I’d agreed Ruth was right to go.

The whole “rock chick�? persona they tried to give her was totally unconvincing. Her looks and personality are so MOR, they’re more suited to Eurovision. The wind machine on Always and hollow stomp to I Love Rock N Roll confirmed how dated and naff Ruth really was.

She had to go.

Don't let the public vote - we're rubbish!

2008-11-30T12:52:20Z

Last night's X Factor goes to show why we, the public, should never ever be given the casting vote on a talent contest.

We saw two of the best performances on the show possibly ever courtesy of Alexandra and Ruth, and yet the gorgeously talented rockachita was booted out in favour of a mediocre boy band and an anodyne singing squirrel. I feel partly responsible. Having decided early on to vote for Ruth, I switched allegiances after hearing marmite girl, Diana Vickers. Yes, to everyone here who hates her, I'm the one keeping her in. Sorry, but I just love her.

So, it's partly my fault and now I wish I'd shelled out the extra five quid or whatever my mobile company sees fit to charge me in order to vote for Ruth. Maybe I should just give up? Or the producers should give the final deciding vote back to the judges? Or better yet, don't let us, the public, vote at all. We clearly don't know what we're doing.

Diana Vickers is no yodelling Barbie Doll!

2008-11-25T13:46:44Z

Why the hell do you become a target for abuse on the X factor if your voice, style or background is different from that bland, insipid, mainstream, ballad-loving, sickly sweet, over nice, pop chart ideal we are continually thrashed over the head with?

Diana's been caught up in a whirlwind of controversy this week after the Mirror revealed that the winner's song will be 'Hallelujah', the Leonard Cohen tune (covered by Jeff Buckley) she performed at boot camp (below).

Now it's not just the contestants or pundits who are throwing their toys out of the pram but fans who are getting on Diana's case.

Jeff Stoneman, from Somerset wrote on our letters page today: "I can see another John Sergeant fiasco on X Factor!

"Diana, the yodelling Barbie Doll, is pulling in a lot of votes and it can't be because of her singing skills.

"I don't care what Simon Cowell says, her weak little voice and strangulated vowels are beyond a joke!"

What do YOU think? Is Diana "a yodelling Barbie Doll"? And who should win the X Factor?

Farewell then Prisoner Cell Block H-ylton...you were rubbish

2008-11-25T12:40:07Z

X Factor reject Rachel Hylton says she was voted out of the contest because of negative publicity.

So Rachel – your exit had nothing to do with the fact you hadn’t hit a note for six weeks then?

Singing hideously out of tune every Saturday night does tend to limit your chances of victory.

Still, as a former prisoner and crack-head, you ought to do well in the pop industry. You know all about being desperate for your next hit.

And good luck with your beloved children you were always droning on about. Three of whom have been taken into care because you’re a jailbird.

Face it darling – you were rubbish and deserved to go.

Rachel out - who will everyone moan about now?

2008-11-24T15:11:42Z

With Rachel Hylton out of X Factor, who will people find to whinge about now?

Unlike Daniel 'Sob Story' Evans, Rachel did not in fact milk her past that much. True, she mentioned her kids a lot but what mum wouldn't? And at least she is trying to sort her life out. Apparently this was not good enough for the 'hang em n flog em' brigade who just couldn’t let her murky past drop.

Unless we suddenly discover that Ruth is a Spanish mafia lord or that Eoghan runs a side business in drug smuggling, it’s going to be tough to find anyone with a personal history worth complaining about.

Personally I’m sad to see Rachel go. Not because she has a dodgy history but because she has a – stop press – personality. I will miss her victory whoops, and the endearing way she decided to ‘take it all on board’ instead of punching Danni on the nose.

I will also miss those flashes of brilliance (Nina Simone) amongst the bad outfit and song choices, and frequent bum notes. Most of all I will miss her refusal to be yet another identikit X Factor contestant. In the ironically named genre of ‘reality TV’, she was the only thing that didn’t seem fake.