x factor

A brief history of Diana Vickers for the uninitiated - she was a contestant on 2008's X Factor, and a front-runner too, until she took laryngitis and her fortunes on the show seemed to slip. She got voted off, despite having built a massive fanbase around her breathy vocal style and barefoot stage performances.

Even though the nation gasped in horror at the suggestion she might be dating prickly-haired Eoghan Quigg, Diana went her own route. She scotched those rumours, especially because Eoghan would have been punching waaay above his weight to pull a cutie like Miss Vickers. Anyhow, she went on to star in a successful run of Little Voice on the West End and everyone lived happily ever after.

But not really. She signed up for X Factor to be a pop star, right? Well, here it is, the debut single from Diana Vickers. And I'm willing to pronounce it a resounding success. The difficulty with Diana is how to use that voice to full effect without it becoming annoying. And Once does a fantastic job of harnessing those pipes to a hoarse, whispery effect, switching easily from poppy verses to an uplifting rock chorus.

I was lucky enough to get to meet gorge Danyl at one of our recent matches, lovely guy, very chatty and friendly! xx

Former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke has released a video blog, which she filmed during her time in Haiti.

Alex flew out to offer her help to victims of the recent Haiti earthquake and was moved by the devastation she found in the country.

Writing in her personal blog she said:

Seeing families who don’t know if they’re going to eat day by day, or don’t even know where they will sleep every night truly is devastating. And what has made it worse is that its coming up to hurricane season and these people have nowhere to live. Many are in tents or living under trees or in temporary shelters.  Some people are moving to places to escape the devastation of their homes yet all may be facing more problems in the months to come and they need more help to survive that.

Who knows how long it will take to re build their lives, they are starting from nothing. This country was already very poor and now even many of those people that did have homes are left without places to live. Most have no way of earning to put food on their tables for their families let alone start ro rebuild homes.  But what I do know is that we can make that difference, what might be something small to us is truly a big difference to them.

There's an enduring rumour that X Factor supremo, music and media mogul Simon Cowell may leave American Idol at the end of his current contract. Depending on who you believe, this may have been brought about by both the departure from Idol of Paula Abdul and/or Cowell's desire to establish his own X Factor show in the United States.

As you probably already know, The X Factor is quite a successful copy of the American Idol format - the difference is that Cowell has significantly more control over the X Factor format, since he created that show. He may have major clout on Idol, but he's still effectively an employee. An all-American version of X Factor would give Cowell greater control, but also greater earning potential from the licensing of the format.

Where does that leave Idol?

Which brings us back to American Idol. Has Simon gotten so famous that he's outgrown the show that made him famous across the globe?

For Olly Murs final song he chose to sing his favourite song of the series, Fool In Love.

It was Olly doing what Olly does best, singing a bit, dancing a lot!

Louis: That was my favourite song of yours from the series. You’re sexy, you’re soulful, you’re a showman. You own the stage, you’re a natural talent. I hope you’re here again tomorrow.

Dannii: Definitely your best performance from the series.

Cheryl: It was amazing to see the improvement from the first time you sung it til now. You sung it like it was your last performance.

Simon: I really really hope this isn’t the last time you’re going to be singing. You’ve been an absolute pleasure to work with. As a person, I’m really proud of what you’ve achieved.

Stacey Solomon AKA 'The Voice' chose Who Wants To Live Forever as her favourite song from this year's X Factor series.

From the first word, she was note perfect and that black dress was astounding. Louis Walsh is right for once, very few people can sing Freddie Mercury so well.

When the cameras cut to the crowds cheering Dagenham, you would have sworn there was a new poundworld opening or something!

Goddamn. Stacey Solomon did a good solo version of Feeling Good and then introduces Michael Buble. It was actually quite enjoyable, because they looked like they were having tons of fun together and there was a great rapport.

Buble disses Dermot when he says he can’t understand his question. Then he relates a wonderfully dull story about how the Queen has his record. Does that constitute royal approval? Will he get to put a crest on his albums? Boring!

Joe McElderry looked petrified when George Michael first emerged onto the X Factor stage tonight and as he sang his solo verse, Joe looked a bit like a spare part.

However when they sang together, the rapport between them increased and the drugs obviously aren't affecting George's vocals too badly. He matched Joe note for note.

I loved it, did you?

Olly Murs looked visibly nervous when he tok to the stage tonight as he waited for Robbie Williams to appear.

He handled the vocals well on his own but then Robbie took to stage.

Ok, before we start this and all you Robbie lovers blast me, I LOVE Robbie Williams. But when he took to the X Factor stage tonight, he did cock up on a major level.

As he emerged onto the stage, to join Olly in a rendition of Angels, he missed his cue and for the rest of the song he looked close to tears. Olly Murs looked like he was going to crap himself!

There definitely wasn't the professionalism that was visible during Stacey Solomon's routine with Michael Buble, but there was a great rapport. I hope the mistake won't cost Olly his place on tomorrow night's show.

Here comes lil’ Joe McElderry and his winning smile. Lucky bugger, he’s managed to get Cheryl Cole in the backseat of a limo. Now there’s a dream come true! But they’re just heading to Joe’s hometown for a wee visit, they hit his school and then visit the family. Speeches get made, tears get shed, but thankfully no bulbs get shot out by champagne corks.

His first song is Dance With My Father, a gorgeous tune that’ll endear him to legion of listeners. The vocals are virtually flawless, and there’s a bit of a surprise at the end with the inclusion of a gospel choir.

The stylist couldn't have picked worse clothes for Joe tonight. He looked like he was on his way to a bit of work experience.

Louis: Joe, I remember that first audition so well, because you came out and sang Luther Vandross and it absolutely got me. You’ve got better and better and you’ve got an incredible voice.