The X Factor - Final Night

So, after all those fun auditions, boot camp, the judges’ houses and the live finals… we have a winner and it’s Alexandra Burke - a very deserving winner (although my heart was still with JLS on the night).

Alexandra claims the crown
After performing consistently well throughout the whole show Alexandra Burke was named The X Factor Winner 2008 and few would have begrudged her in the end I’d say. She is a superb singer, can tackle pretty much any song and can perform well into the mix. Her versions of ‘Candyman’ and ‘Listen’ were stand-out moments in the series this year and she always gave off the vibe that she was truly passionate about the whole thing (maybe a little bit too much on final night - I think Beyoncé was slightly embarrassed by the uncontrollable bawling!). But well done Alexandra, I’m pretty sure she’ll go on to do great things after this.

Oh but I do have to say - what was with her styling on Saturday night? Why does everyone think that divas have to have big hair? (Nothing against the big hair you understand, I have huge hair myself, but I just much preferred Alexandra’s hair sleek as she wore it every other week - she looked like a different person on Saturday night). I just felt that the wardrobe and make-up choices didn’t do much for her this week and it was a shame for her to not look her best on the biggest night of the show (although she’d probably look great in a bin-liner so no real harm done there).

The Others
Eoghan did well with all three of his performances on the night. He played to his strengths and to the younger members of the audience but I’m guessing the increased numbers voting on the night was his downfall. Still, pretty impressive that he won six of live public vote shows. He can be pleased with that. As for JLS, well your heart would just go out to them. They were so gracious in defeat and they performed brilliantly on the night. All of their song choices were great and Aston really nailed the lead vocals on ‘Halleluiah’. In fact I think I preferred their version of that particular song. For me that tune is soft, a little dejected and really soulful and I just thought that Alexandra’s diva-style vocal acrobatics were a little intense for the song but I suppose that’s just a matter of taste. There’s no debating that she tackles everything thrown her with a real passion and I suppose that’s where that powerful twist comes from.

Beyoncé - What a lady
I’ve always liked Beyoncé and considered her an amazing performer but Saturday night we all saw her as a really nice person too. She was so humble as she chatted to Dermot and so lovely to Alexandra. And when she performed ‘If I Were A Boy’ later in the show I just thought ‘Hope you’re watching Britney!’. Boyzone and Westlife (or Louis’ phone-a-friends, as someone suggested last week) were also really giving with their acts and added a bit of fun to the show, although the Westlife/JLS combo looked a bit odd on stage, like the biggest boy band in history (although, having said that, I’d pay to see that act!).

Thrilled for Cheryl
I have to say that I think Cheryl Cole was a breath of fresh air on the judging panel this year She was honest, without being unnecessarily nasty, and was never afraid to show her emotions or to admit how much her acts meant to her. She seemed to genuinely get on great with Laura, Diana and Alexandra and you got the impression that she really looked after them. And for that reason I was thrilled that one of her acts won. It was so heartfelt when she thanked everyone for making her feel so welcome on her first year. (OK, I’ll stop now, just short of saying ‘I want to BE Cheryl!’).

The auditionees do Abba
This was a classic reality TV moment, when the auditionees from the last five years returned to perform an Abba number. My favourites have to be Ant and Deaf, Sing Em’ A Song Della and the dancing granny who sang the very inappropriate song.

The return of Louis’ Limericks
Loved the return of Louis’ Limericks this week. It always seems like Louis looks far more comfortable sitting in that armchair in this dressing gown spouting poetry that he does sitting on the judging panel. And that was just one of great funny moments during The Xtra Factor this year. I have to say I loved being able to have a little nose around behind-the-scenes with Holly. It was great stuff.

You may notice that this blog is particularly long, probably because it’s likely to be our last one until the next series… well unless any of the contestants do anything newsworthy later this week… and well, we’re going to miss it… roll on audition time again!

Linda McGee