Rikki Loney

I've been quite hard on Rikki Loney since he got through to the final 12 on X Factor this year.

As a long-term reality TV watcher, you develop good instincts for what will work and what won't work on a show like X Factor. My first instinct on Rikki was that he was filler material, a third rate singer drafted in to make up the numbers and possibly make the other singers look even better by comparison.

I know that sounds quite harsh, but even in his category (under 25 males), Rikki was bottom. Joe McElderry had the looks and the talent, while Lloyd Daniels might not have the stage presence, he'll get the teenage girl's vote. So that left Rikki and his fetish for ugly hats, and his less-than-exciting performances. Sorry folks, but it was Leon Jackson all over again.

The sad thing is, Rikki has auditioned loads of times for X Factor. You'd think by now, someone would have told him to stop wasting his time. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but he was never going to set the charts alight, was he?

Well even if he didn't sing better, Rikki Loney certainly looked better this week. He must have had a word with the stylist after last week's red suit disaster.

We’re just not lovin’ Rikki here on Unreality TV, not helped by the fact that he’s been given an ‘endorsement’ by former X Factor winner Leon Jackson. Which is almost a kiss of death. Whitney warns Rikki that he may be out of his depth. Simon uses his prophet of doom voice to suggest that Rikki needs to raise his game.

Cheryl didn't quite get the song choice right, once again. Whitney Houston made her opinion on the matter very clear. However Rikki gave it his best and though Simon likened him to a wedding singer, I didn't think he was that bad.

Judges Comments

Dannii – I see a little bit of Will Young’s performance in you, vocally it kicked in towards the end, make sure you kick it earlier in performance.

Rikki's VT was really interesting tonight. Robbie Williams told him to stand up, open his eyes and connect with his audience more. Simon told him to stop crying.

Rikki sang Amy Winehouse's Back To Black and though it started well, it went on and on and on.....

Simon Cowell thought it was a silly song choice, I would 100% agree. It was too repetitive, too flat and though his vocals were really good, there was no oomph.

I hated the geeky suit, hated the Elvis quiff and I think he needs to go out and beat his stylist.

Judges Comments

Louis – I am so glad you came back there is no doubt about it you can sing. Scotland is going to support you. It was a very difficult song choice, you made it your own and once you get your confidence you can give it a lot more.

Dannii – That is the kind of album I would buy, love you doing Amy. I see you on level one, you’ve got a certain level of confidence and you can go to a ten, it’s in you.

By the time Scottish singer Rikki Loney hit the X Factor stage tonight, we didn't actually care if he could sing or not. As long as the boy remembered his lyrics he was through!

Rikki had quite a sore throat. Aw, diddums and he was barely audible doing Chasing Pavements.

Louis screwed up his face, he’s wasn't convinced… Simon told him he probably shouldn’t have bothered, and Rikki cried backstage. But Dermott is saving consolation hugs for the girls!