The X Factor - Switching Channels!

So cards on the table here guys – I’m for team Strictly! I watch the ‘X Factor’ when the dancing stops but this weekend I decided to embrace all things ‘X Factor’ and I certainly picked the week to do it!

It had pretty much everything a weekend entertainment show should have – great performances (Olly, Jamie), dodgy performances (Miss Frank, Lloyd), wardrobe malfunctions (Whitney!), tears (Cheryl), bad hair (take a bow Dannii) not to mention two confused Irish teenagers wearing red plastic suits pretending to be talented.

Sorry lads but somebody should have put you right years ago and said ‘You’re great lads and a real laugh singing and dancing for Auntie Mary but have you ever considered a career in IT?’ Clearly they are grand boys but the journey they are on is now out of their control and Louis’. The audience will decide when they go and while it has been amusing to watch for the last two weeks it’s only a matter of time before it turns ugly. Last night we had a taste of that when Cheryl name-checked the pair when Rikki got the boot. So here’s hoping for their own sakes that they only get one more shot at performing before they gracefully retire.

So who impressed? I loved Jamie – he gave a really understated performance for Diva week and made a brave song choice. Olly was also fantastic and demonstrated real stage presence while Stacey I thought did well with a song she didn’t know. At the other end of the scale it has to be said that Miss Frank were a train-wreck. At least two of them aren’t accomplished singers and I have my doubts about the third. I know Louis was away this week but the girls looked under-rehearsed and who is styling them? They looked like they got dressed in the dark. The really have something to prove next week.

Lloyd also has ground to regain. Bland is the only word to describe his performance – a bad song choice and generally he failed to make an impact on me. As for Rikki, his performance when he was fighting for survival was very poor. Cheryl said 'Flying Without Wings' was his favourite song but he certainly did not do it justice.

So enough about the contestants and back to the real stars of the show – the judging panel! I can’t believe I am saying this but Louis was badly missed and the dynamic was all wrong over the weekend so I look forward to seeing him back next week.

For me there is really only one reason to watch the show and that is Simon – he is great TV. He is arrogant, vain and opinionated but absolutely compelling to watch. The acts want his approval, the audience want him to be controversial, Dermot wants him to laugh at his jokes and the rest of the panel are torn between wanting to be his best friend and beating him. It’s his show and he knows it. He was on top form on Saturday telling Lloyd ‘he is lucky he is cute’ as he ain’t got much else going on and after a particularly good performance from Olly saying ‘that’s why all the contestants want to be mentored by me’!

Finally a word about the two guest acts last night. Cheryl’s performance was slick but she has great choreography to thank for that! She did very well but I have to say this half singing, half pre-recorded thing is a bit of a cop-out. Either sing or don’t! Whitney apparently also sang to some pre-recorded vocals so Cheryl was in good company. Whitney did well (certainly it was a lot better than her Good Morning America performance at the beginning of September). I have to say however I am beginning to feel sorry for Dermot after two weeks of stressful Q & As with erratic stars at the end of the guest spots. How about giving him a break and bringing on an old pro like Tony Bennett? Next week it Big Band week!

Bree Treacy