Chris O'Dowd has accused X Factor viewers of being "racist".
The It Crowd actor has claimed that some fans of the ITV talent show appear to be prejudiced against black hopefuls.
O'Dowd told Radio Times: "I'm a big X Factor fan. Generally my favourites go out in the first few weeks and, of course, because the viewing public is so racist, all the black, strong singers go out in round five every year."
The X Factor has produced several black stars throughout its run, including winners Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke, and successful artists such as Jls and Rebecca Ferguson.
Producers of the show have dismissed O'Dowd's comments, with an insider stating: "The X Factor has a long standing record of celebrating a diverse range of artists including two former winners, Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke, and numerous others who have reached the final stages of the competition including this year's semi-finalists Rough Copy,...
The It Crowd actor has claimed that some fans of the ITV talent show appear to be prejudiced against black hopefuls.
O'Dowd told Radio Times: "I'm a big X Factor fan. Generally my favourites go out in the first few weeks and, of course, because the viewing public is so racist, all the black, strong singers go out in round five every year."
The X Factor has produced several black stars throughout its run, including winners Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke, and successful artists such as Jls and Rebecca Ferguson.
Producers of the show have dismissed O'Dowd's comments, with an insider stating: "The X Factor has a long standing record of celebrating a diverse range of artists including two former winners, Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke, and numerous others who have reached the final stages of the competition including this year's semi-finalists Rough Copy,...
- 2/11/2014
- Digital Spy
Steve Brookstein has expressed his disappointment that The X Factor hasn't included him on its upcoming Greatest Hits album.
The singer won the first series back in 2004 under the guidance of Simon Cowell, but has since fallen out with the Syco boss and has frequently criticised the talent show.
> The X Factor Greatest Hits: What didn't make the cut?
"I've not made the X Factor Greatest Hits Album," Brookstein tweeted. "Thanks for the 1st ever X Factor No1 and the 6 million votes. Just wasn't enough I guess."
2007 X Factor winner Leon Jackson has also failed to make the final tracklist, despite his winner's single 'When You Believe' going to number one.
Leona Lewis's 'Bleeding Love', One Direction's 'What Makes You Beautiful', Olly Murs's 'Troublemaker' and Jls's 'Beat Again' will all feature.
Previous winners Matt Cardle, Joe McElderry, Shayne Ward, Alexandra Burke, Little Mix and James Arthur will...
The singer won the first series back in 2004 under the guidance of Simon Cowell, but has since fallen out with the Syco boss and has frequently criticised the talent show.
> The X Factor Greatest Hits: What didn't make the cut?
"I've not made the X Factor Greatest Hits Album," Brookstein tweeted. "Thanks for the 1st ever X Factor No1 and the 6 million votes. Just wasn't enough I guess."
2007 X Factor winner Leon Jackson has also failed to make the final tracklist, despite his winner's single 'When You Believe' going to number one.
Leona Lewis's 'Bleeding Love', One Direction's 'What Makes You Beautiful', Olly Murs's 'Troublemaker' and Jls's 'Beat Again' will all feature.
Previous winners Matt Cardle, Joe McElderry, Shayne Ward, Alexandra Burke, Little Mix and James Arthur will...
- 10/17/2013
- Digital Spy
Fans of the Dolly Rockers have reacted angrily to the group's exit from The X Factor.
The girl group - who previously auditioned in 2006 - were eliminated after their arena audition failed to impress judges Gary Barlow, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger.
The group scored minor hits with 'Je Suis Une Dolly' and 'Gold Digger' in 2009 and auditioned for the tenth series of the ITV singing contest following a lineup change.
Their performance of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's 'Can't Hold Us' in front of 4,000 people at Wembley Arena wasn't enough to secure them a place at Boot Camp.
However, fans of the group have criticised the decision, with many objecting to Gary Barlow's decision to send the girls home.
They put a fucking yodeller through but not the @TheDollyRockers I'm streaming
— Maaaegan. (@maeganciara) September 8, 2013
It annoys me so much what Gary said about @TheDollyRockers when his...
The girl group - who previously auditioned in 2006 - were eliminated after their arena audition failed to impress judges Gary Barlow, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger.
The group scored minor hits with 'Je Suis Une Dolly' and 'Gold Digger' in 2009 and auditioned for the tenth series of the ITV singing contest following a lineup change.
Their performance of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's 'Can't Hold Us' in front of 4,000 people at Wembley Arena wasn't enough to secure them a place at Boot Camp.
However, fans of the group have criticised the decision, with many objecting to Gary Barlow's decision to send the girls home.
They put a fucking yodeller through but not the @TheDollyRockers I'm streaming
— Maaaegan. (@maeganciara) September 8, 2013
It annoys me so much what Gary said about @TheDollyRockers when his...
- 9/8/2013
- Digital Spy
We're right in the heart of silly season in X Factor land. With memories of James Arthur, Rylan Clark and MK1 (remember them!) slowly drifting away, talk of series 10 and this year's judging lineup had become a hot topic for Saturday night TV fans currently stuck in a pre-Voice/Britain's Got Talent Saturday no-man's land with only D-listers in drag on Let's Dance and some bloke from EastEnders ice skating to save us.
So who will be behind the desk on this year's X Factor? Digital Spy takes a look at the judges merry-go-round to try and figure out who is in and who is out.
Gary Barlow
After two years on the panel and not much talent to show for it (Marcus Collins, Christopher Maloney, Cocozza!) many expected Gary Barlow to be jumping off the X Factor funfair in 2013. He's never looked 100% comfortable with the show's balance between entertainment...
So who will be behind the desk on this year's X Factor? Digital Spy takes a look at the judges merry-go-round to try and figure out who is in and who is out.
Gary Barlow
After two years on the panel and not much talent to show for it (Marcus Collins, Christopher Maloney, Cocozza!) many expected Gary Barlow to be jumping off the X Factor funfair in 2013. He's never looked 100% comfortable with the show's balance between entertainment...
- 2/28/2013
- Digital Spy
Joe Cox's X Factor audition was shown on The Xtra Factor at the weekend and the singer is now being tipped as "one to watch" by the ITV1 show's judges. Cox reached Judges' Houses in the 2011 series, but was snubbed for the live shows by Gary Barlow. Frankie Cocozza, Marcus Collins, Craig Colton and James Michael ended up making the final cut, ahead of Cox. Cox claimed that the rejection was the "worst feeling", but said that over the year he had come to appreciate Barlow's decision, arguing that the Take That star had done him the "biggest favour". "I felt like a nervous little boy last year," he said. "Now, I've hopefully come back as a man." Following his rendition of Katy Perry's 'The One (more)...
- 8/20/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Amelia Lily has released the artwork for her debut single 'You Bring Me Joy'. The image - which appears below - sees the singer standing in front of an orange and yellow background wearing a bowler hat. 'You Bring Me Joy' is Lily's first release since finishing third on last year's X Factor UK series, behind Marcus Collins and winners Little Mix. The song - out August 26 - was produced (more)...
- 7/24/2012
- by By Robert Copsey
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has revealed that he is still close with his former X Factor mentor Gary Barlow. The X Factor UK runner-up was under Barlow's tutelage during last year's talent contest, and he explained that the Take That frontman still contacts him despite his busy schedule. He told BBC Breakfast: "He's a busy man, he always makes time for me. It meant a lot to me that he stuck with me after the show. I see quite a lot of him." Gary Barlow wrote the track 'Feel Like I Feel' for Collins's debut self-titled album, which he described as his "favourite" song on the LP. Collins added that his album would make the "perfect" soundtrack to the summer months due to its "uplifting" nature. "All the music on the (more)...
- 6/1/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Gary Barlow has confirmed that he is returning for a second series on The X Factor, admitting that he is "thrilled to be back" on the ITV1 talent show. The Take That star, who mentored Marcus Collins to the runner-up spot on last year's show, is the first judge confirmed for the 2012 series. "I'm thrilled to be back and really looking forward to working with the X Factor team again," said Barlow. "The fact that a superstar could just walk out on that stage is very exciting." Show boss Simon Cowell claimed that Barlow has "earned his place" on the panel and said that was "excited" to be working alongside Barlow again. ITV's director of television Peter Fincham said: "Gary quickly established himself as a key member of The X Factor judging panel, drawing on his (more)...
- 4/17/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has explained why he decided not to use a "sob story" during his stint on The X Factor. The Liverpudlian singer, who finished runner-up on last year's series of the talent show, believes that the public would have been sceptical about his revelations. Collins told Attitude magazine: "I knew if I said, 'I grew up in a council flat, just me and my mum, we had nothing, my mum's had cancer, I thought I was going to be orphaned and out and on my own', people would be like, 'So what? Sob story, he's just making it up'." (more)...
- 3/8/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has explained why he decided not to use a "sob story" during his stint on The X Factor. The Liverpudlian singer, who finished runner-up on last year's series of the talent show, believes that the public would have been sceptical about his revelations. Collins told Attitude magazine: "I knew if I said, 'I grew up in a council flat, just me and my mum, we had nothing, my mum's had cancer, I thought I was going to be orphaned and out and on my own', people would be like, 'So what? Sob story, he's just making it up'." (more)...
- 3/8/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has predicted that Gary Barlow will return to The X Factor this year. The Take That star confirmed last month that he is in talks to rejoin the panel, though his future on the show was questioned following the announcement that his wife is expecting their fourth child. Barlow's X Factor protegee Collins, however, said that he is confident the singer will sign up for another series. "Gary is the fountain of all knowledge when it comes to stories of the music industry," he told the Daily Star. "We're always having a laugh. "Gary is a great role model, family man and amazing (more)...
- 3/7/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
We'll admit that we were surprised when we frist heard that Marcus Collins was ready to release his debut album. Little under three months since his stint on The X Factor, the singer has been beavering away in the studio with mentor Gary Barlow writing material for the LP, the results of which can be heard on March 12. With the record's lead single 'Seven (more)...
- 3/2/2012
- by By Robert Copsey
- Digital Spy
The X Factor 2012 tour kicked off in Manchester at the weekend with all the stars of last year's series performing their most-loved tracks from the show. Champions Little Mix and runner-up Marcus Collins topped the bill, but Kitty Brucknell and Johnny Robinson also provided typically outlandish showcases for fans. Boyband The Risk, ex-biscuit factory worker Craig Colton, finalist Amelia Lily and flame-haired diva Janet Devlin also took to the stage. Misha B picked up some of the biggest (more)...
- 2/27/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has unveiled the artwork and tracklist for his debut album. The singer will release his self-titled LP through RCA Records on March 14. The album artwork appears below: The record includes his debut single - a cover of White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army' - as well as eight original compositions including 'Love & Hate' and 'Innocence'. The LP also includes a rendition of 'Higher and Higher', which he performed during The X Factor, and a re-working of Janelle Monae's 'Tightrope'. The star recently revealed that he often receives racist and homophobic phone calls, adding: "I've been advised to change my number but I don't (more)...
- 2/23/2012
- by By Robert Copsey
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has released a preview of a new song online. The singer will include 'Break These Chains' as the B-side to his debut single 'Seven Nation Army' on March 4. 'Break These Chains' was co-written by Collins along with Paul Meehan and Jamie Scott. The X Factor finalist has worked with a range of producers for his self-titled debut album, including Brian Rawling, who has previously collaborated with Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue and David Bowie. As well as original tracks, the album (more)...
- 2/15/2012
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has revealed that he is devastated by the news of Whitney Houston's death. The X Factor runner-up told Digital Spy that he is a huge fan of the late singer, admitting that he used to impersonate her at school. Watch Collins discuss Whitney Houston below:
He said: "I was and still am a big fan of Whitney's. It's just devastating news." Asked his favourite Houston track, he confessed: "'I Will Always Love You. [It's] a classic and you can't beat that - the jaw and everything! "We (more)...
He said: "I was and still am a big fan of Whitney's. It's just devastating news." Asked his favourite Houston track, he confessed: "'I Will Always Love You. [It's] a classic and you can't beat that - the jaw and everything! "We (more)...
- 2/14/2012
- by By Robert Copsey
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has release a behind-the-scenes video of his album artwork photoshoot. The singer revealed that he is "proud" of the material he has recorded, which will be included on his self-titled debut album due out on March 12. Collins said of his experiences since leaving The X Factor: "2012 is kicking off for me big time this year - I'm so excited. "Already a lot of hard work has gone in. We've got an album together and we have the X Factor tour and single - so much is going on!" He added: "I've been in the studio writing and recording with different singers and (more)...
- 2/2/2012
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has revealed the artwork for his debut single. The X Factor star will release a cover of The White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army' as his first single on March 4. Posting the artwork on Twitter, Collins said: "So excited. Here is my first single cover!" Collins previously said of his decision to cover The White Stripes classic: "I'm a huge fan of the original 'Seven Nation Army' and I hope people like my take on it." The track will be followed by his self-titled debut album on March 12, which has been co-written and executive produced by his X Factor mentor (more)...
- 2/1/2012
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins has unveiled his debut solo single 'Seven Nation Army'. The cover of The White Stripes track is officially released on March 4. The X Factor runner-up's album follows on March 12. "I'm a huge fan of the original 'Seven Nation Army' and I hope people like my take on it," Collins said of the record. > Marcus Collins new single 'Seven (more)...
- 1/27/2012
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins will release a cover of The White Stripes track 'Seven Nation Army' as his debut single. The X Factor runner-up, who lost out to girlband Little Mix in the 2011 final, has apparently reworked the song into a pop track. "I'm a huge fan of the original 'Seven Nation Army' and I hope people like my take on it," Collins told The Sun. "I'm so happy to be releasing my debut album and can't wait for everyone to hear it." Collins's version of 'Seven Nation Army' will (more)...
- 1/21/2012
- by By Colin Daniels
- Digital Spy
Little Mix triumphed over Marcus Collins, the final 16 (minus Frankie, plus Goldie) returned and Westlife made their last TV appearance. The X Factor 2011 final being held at Wembley Arena for the first time was quite a big deal - and certainly a fitting spectacle for the biggest TV show in the UK. A girlband won the show for the first time ever, there were plenty of tears and Louis Walsh dug out his best Hugh Hefner-esque dinner jacket especially for the occasion. (more)...
- 12/12/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Today's celebrity pictures (December 12) feature Little Mix's Perrie Edwards emerging from her Central London hotel at 6am following the girlband's victory on The X Factor last night, as the show's runner-up Marcus Collins receives a kiss from fellow contestant Sophie Habibis outside their hotel. Meanwhile across the pond, hot new couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively attempt to hide from the paparazzi as they pop out for coffee in New York, and Hollywood couple Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth plus 90210 actress AnnaLynne McCord attend (more)...
- 12/12/2011
- by By Naomi Gordon
- Digital Spy
The full voting stats for The X Factor's current season have now been published by ITV, as is now tradition at the end of a series. The figures reveal that Janet Devlin had a clear lead at the top of the public vote for a month, falling down the pecking order after the return of Amelia Lily. The stats also show how Misha B's vote share fluctuated week-on-week, and that Amelia was the clear winner in week 6 when she returned to the competition. Voting this year started in week two after the judges voted out 2 Shoes, Jonjo Kerr, James Michael and Amelia Lily. Here's the breakdown in full for the series:
Week 2 Janet Devlin: 23.6%
The Risk: 10.9%
Sophie Habibis: 8.9%
Little Mix: 8.7%
Misha B: 7.8%
Craig Colton: 6.9%
Marcus Collins: 6.8%
Johnny Robinson: (more)...
Week 2 Janet Devlin: 23.6%
The Risk: 10.9%
Sophie Habibis: 8.9%
Little Mix: 8.7%
Misha B: 7.8%
Craig Colton: 6.9%
Marcus Collins: 6.8%
Johnny Robinson: (more)...
- 12/12/2011
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Little Mix have been crowned the winners of The X Factor 2011. Tulisa Contostavlos's girlband beat Marcus Collins to the title in tonight's Wembley Arena final, cementing their place in X Factor history as the first group ever to win the show. Upon hearing the result from host Dermot O'Leary, the girls and their mentor screamed and huddled together in shock, before rushing over to hug Collins and his mentor Gary Barlow. Afterwards, Contostavlos held Jesy Nelson close to her and the two sobbed together. "We're just so, so grateful and thankful to everyone who voted," member Jade Thirlwall commented. "All the X Factor team have been brilliant, we're so grateful." Little Mix were then presented with a copy of their winner's single, Damien Rice's 'Cannonball', (more)...
- 12/11/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Little Mix should win The X Factor 2011, according to Digital Spy users. In our exclusive poll, Tulisa Contostavlos's girl band garnered 59.1% of the vote, solidly beating their rival finalist Marcus Collins, who won over only 19.4%, with the remainder of the votes belonging to third-placed Amelia Lily, who was eliminated last night, and Misha B, who left the competition last Sunday.
Little Mix have consistently proved popular (more)...
Little Mix have consistently proved popular (more)...
- 12/11/2011
- by By Amy Bell
- Digital Spy
After the duets, the Bublé-festive overload, the barmy Lord Mayor and that strange bloke carrying a tray of toast, The X Factor gets serious tonight. The Kitty dramas and Frankie fiascos are in the distant past and it's all come down to one final show. Marcus Collins, a loveable hairdresser from Liverpool, and Little Mix, four cheeky pop minxes from across the UK, battling for the title of X Factor Champ 2011. Who do you want to see win? How can Dermot top his Austin Powers dance routine? And which mad man will Caroline Flack and Olly Murs find in the audience to interview tonight? All these key questions, we should get answers for this evening. To lighten the mood, we've also got soon to be extinct stool-botherers Westlife and some small-time indie band called Coldplay providing the halftime entertainment. All (more)...
- 12/11/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Details of the song choices for The X Factor final have emerged. Marcus Collins will perform OutKast hit 'Hey Ya!' on a jumbo jet stage prop, while Little Mix will enter Wembley Arena on Harley-Davidson motorbikes and sing 'You Got The Love'. The band will perform in front of a giant screen showing animated female soldiers - said to resemble Cheryl Cole - doing mentor Tulisa Contostavlos's famous arm salute. Meanwhile, Amelia Lily will take on Christina Aguilera's 'Ain't No Other Man' and Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You', after becoming unhappy with her initial festive song choice of WIzzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day'. Lily will sing with just a group of backing dancers, leading to claims that mentor Kelly (more)...
- 12/10/2011
- by By Colin Daniels
- Digital Spy
Amelia Lily says she is more determined than ever to win 'The X Factor' following rumours it had already been fixed in her favour. Earlier this week, the 17-year-old hopeful was mistakenly named as the victor by HMV after her 'winner's single' appeared on the music store's website, while the efforts of fellow finalists Little Mix and Marcus Collins were nowhere to be seen. However, Amelia - who is being mentored by Kelly Rowland - says it was HMV's error but has made her realise how much she wants to win. She said: "When Kelly and I found out about the HMV...
- 12/10/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
Rebecca Ferguson wants Marcus Collins to win 'The X Factor'. The 'Nothing's Real But Love' singer - who finished as runner-up on last year's series losing out to Matt Cardle in the final - is rooting for her fellow Liverpudlian to land the record deal on Sunday (11.12.11). Rebecca is still grateful for the support the city gave to her last year and knows the whole of Liverpool will get behind Marcus - who is mentored by Gary Barlow - at the weekend. She told Bang Showbiz: "I've been watching it ['The X Factor'], I missed it last week but I'll be definitely...
- 12/9/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
The X Factor will not have text voting for this weekend's final, it has been revealed. Due to technical issues that can't be resolved, fans will be not be able to text for their favourite acts in the final showdown between Amelia Lily, Marcus Collins and Little Mix. "The X Factor final includes a vote 'freeze' and therefore a shorter vote period," said X Factor reps. "It is not possible for text voting to be offered, as delays can be experienced within the mobile networks at busy times which could result in text votes not being received within the period the vote is open." Westlife, Coldplay, (more)...
- 12/8/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Amelia Lily says she is more determined than ever to win 'The X Factor' following rumours it had already been fixed in her favour. Earlier this week, the 17-year-old hopeful was mistakenly named as the victor by HMV after her 'winner's single' appeared on the music store's website, while the efforts of fellow finalists Little Mix and Marcus Collins were nowhere to be seen. However, Amelia - who is being mentored by Kelly Rowland - says it was HMV's error but has made her realise how much she wants to win. She said: "When Kelly and I found out about the HMV...
- 12/8/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
The X Factor finalists will duet with their mentors on this weekend's live final. Amelia Lily, Little Mix and Marcus Collins will take to the stage on Saturday with Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow respectively. According to reports, Lily and Rowland will sing Tina Turner's 'River Deep, Mountain High', while Little Mix and Contostavlos will perform a medley of Alicia Keys's 'If I Ain't Got You' and 'Empire State Of Mind'. Collins and Barlow are said to still be undecided on their duet track, but have been rehearsing a number of songs, including Take That's 'Never Forget' and 'Greatest Day'. "It's going to be more pressured than ever," an insider told The Mirror. (more)...
- 12/8/2011
- by By Christian Tobin
- Digital Spy
Gary Barlow is looking forward to the end of 'The X Factor'. The Take That star - who will perform with his act Marcus Collins in tomorrow night's (10.12.11) final -has loved being a judge on this year's show but admits he will be pleased when the ITV1 programme is over on Sunday (11.12.11). He told Bang Showbiz: "There have been a few shocks for me being involved in the show. There have been some horrible weeks and it has been hard work. It is the constant, the bubble we are in. This show doesn't end on a Sunday night, it follows...
- 12/7/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
Gary Barlow has declared that he wants Take That to play the Royal Albert Hall as part of their next tour. The singer performed two solo shows at the iconic London venue earlier this week in aid of The Prince's Trust and was joined by special guests including Olly Murs and his X Factor act Marcus Collins. Speaking to the Daily Star, Barlow said: "Take That have never played here. We need to change that. We've got to make it happen. It's a beautiful venue to play. "It's a bit of an antidote to The X Factor. This is what I actually do for a real job. I wasn't nervous one bit. I don't know what it (more)...
- 12/7/2011
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
Music retailer HMV temporarily put up Amelia Lily's X Factor 2011 Winner's Single for pre-order today. The X Factor final takes place this weekend, and Lily is still competing against girlband Little Mix and singer Marcus Collins, whose Winner's Singles were not listed for pre-order at the same time. In a statement to The X Factor, HMV said: "It's just come to light that there was a technical issue uploading details of two of the artists to our site, which meant that only Amelia Lily's details appeared. "However, these have been temporarily removed so that all three finalists' details will go up simultaneously tomorrow morning. Once up, fans will be able to pre-order the single by their preferred finalist but only orders for the (more)...
- 12/6/2011
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Prince William and Duchess Catherine "can't wait" for the 'X Factor' final. The royal couple met finalist Marcus Collins at Gary Barlow's charity show at London's royal Albert Hall on Tuesday (06.12.11) and told the scouse singer how much they have been enjoying the programme. Marcus - who performed with Gary at the concert - told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "They both said they watched 'The X Factor'. How amazing is that? They asked if I was nervous about the weekend and I said I couldn't wait. "Kate said she was amazed at how much stronger my vocals were live than on television.
- 12/6/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
Marcus Collins has been banned from performing at Gary Barlow's London gig tonight (Monday) after coming down with a throat infection. The X Factor finalist was due for a guest slot alongside his mentor at the Royal Albert Hall in order to boost his chances in the final next weekend. "Marcus's throat is really bad and although he wanted to try to sing in the soundcheck he was told to forget it," a source told The Mirror. "He has been banned from singing for 24 hours by the doctors. They are going to assess him again on Tuesday to see if there is an improvement. "Gary has another gig that night so he could still try to appear then but it would be a risk. "In the past, other finalists have (more)...
- 12/5/2011
- by By Hugh Armitage
- Digital Spy
Little Mix, Marcus Collins and Amelia Lily have responded to the news that they are in the X Factor final. The three acts discovered that they will perform at next week's show at Wembley when Misha B was voted out of the competition tonight. Speaking on The Xtra Factor, Lily said that the fact people are voting for her is "such a blessing". "I literally can't believe it," she said. "I was shaking when Dermot shouted my name. I think Kelly thought I was going to fall over - she kept holding me for a few minutes. I'm so grateful - thank you everyone for voting for me." Lily also suggested that she could be a "UK version" of Kelly Clarkson and teased that she has a "few tricks up [her] sleeve" for the final. "I don't want to spoil anything," she said. "People will definitely (more)...
- 12/5/2011
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
It was crunch time on The X Factor this weekend and a case of so close, but yet so far for one act, who missed out on a spot in the Wembley Arena final. It was a tense hour for Amelia Lily, Marcus Collins, Misha B and Little Mix, but ultimately the British public decided on the final three acts that they (more)...
- 12/5/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
X Factor judge Gary Barlow has defended his song choices for his act Marcus Collins. On last night's show, Barlow's fellow judges Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos criticised his decision to give Collins the track 'Can You Feel It'. However, Barlow has now said on The Xtra Factor that he stands by the choice. "I actually loved his second song last night," he said. "Marcus has had a sore throat all week - I'll say this after the vote's taken place so no-one feels sorry for him. He's had a sore throat all week and the second song was particularly high for him." Barlow insisted (more)...
- 12/4/2011
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
Misha B has become the next act to leave The X Factor. The 19-year-old was eliminated at the semi-final stage of the ITV competition after receiving the least amount of votes from the viewing public. The result means that Amelia Lily, Marcus Collins and Little Mix will battle it out in next week's final at Wembley Arena. After hearing the result, Misha B said: "I just want to say thank you for everyone for making my dreams a reality." She described Kelly Rowland as "the best mentor in the world", before thanking "everyone at home who stood by me through thick and thin, thanks (more)...
- 12/4/2011
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
The X Factor semi-final this weekend will not feature a sing-off, it has been confirmed. For the first time this series, the fate of the remaining acts - Misha Bryan, Amelia Lily, Marcus Collins and Little Mix - will be decided by public votes alone, with only three advancing to the Wembley Arena final on Saturday, December 10.
Of the four acts, only Lily and Misha B have finished in the bottom two before, with the latter being saved by judges a total of three times throughout the show. It was announced (more)...
Of the four acts, only Lily and Misha B have finished in the bottom two before, with the latter being saved by judges a total of three times throughout the show. It was announced (more)...
- 12/2/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
X Factor's Marcus Collins has joked that he could go back to hairdressing if his music career fails. The Liverpudlian said that he had been offered the chance to work alongside the show's official hairdresser Jamie Stevens if he fails to make it as a singer. Speaking at a Talk Talk secret gig, Collins said: "Jamie Stevens, the hairdresser from The X Factor, has told me that when I mess it up, I can always have a job with him on the show. "Making the cups of tea and washing hair. Hopefully I won't have to, but we'll see." Collins also revealed that his most embarrassing moment in the competition came when someone confused him with one of the other acts. "Being mistaken for Ashford from Nu Vibe, The Risk. I think we look nothing alike. Hashtag, just saying," (more)...
- 12/1/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
The X Factor final four - Marcus Collins, Amelia Lily, Little Mix and Misha Bryan - all played a Talk Talk secret gig at an intimate London venue last night. Performing two songs each and signing autographs for fans and competition winners, it was the first time in the competition that the acts have performed outside of the Saturday night live shows. Collins performed his versions of 'Reet Petite' and 'Superstition', before Little Mix took to the stage and recreated their take on En Vogue's 'Don't Let Go (Love)' and Katy Perry's (more)...
- 12/1/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
The X Factor's remaining contestants have stopped talking to each other, it has been claimed. Girls Amelia Lily, Misha Bryan, last group Little Mix and sole boy Marcus Collins will no longer spend time together off set, according to Metro. It was also claimed that Misha B locked herself into a Green Room during a warm-up for last weekend's show. "The claws are out," a supposed source told the newspaper. "The guys can taste the final and they've stopped talking to each other. "They all used to pop into each other's rehearsal studios to see what everyone was doing and what each had lined up but those days are definitely over. "No-one is willing to even talk about what they have planned, so much so they've all been locking doors just in case another act tries to walk in." They added: "Misha (more)...
- 11/28/2011
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
X Factor's Final 5 took to the stage twice tonight to perform one track by their 'Heroes' and one personal 'Guilty Pleasure'. Janet Devlin, Amelia Lily, Misha Bryan, Marcus Collins and Little Mix are all just two rounds away from The X Factor final, so the pressure was really on when they took to the stage at Fountain Studios. As tension increases between the acts, (more)...
- 11/27/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Marcus Collins fled 'The X Factor' after his best pal Craig Colton was voted off the show on Sunday night (20.11.11). The 23-year-old hopeful - who is now the only male left in the competition - was said to be "in tears" when he heard of Craig's exit and immediately escaped to a health spa in Milton Keynes to avoid sharing a house with remaining acts Amelia Lily, Misha Bryan, Janet Devlin and girl band Little Mix. However, Marcus' disappearing act didn't go down well with bosses of the ITV1 show or mentor Gary Barlow. An insider told the Daily Star newspaper: "The...
- 11/24/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
Marcus Collins has claimed that critical comments on Twitter about X Factor acts have gone too far. The X Factor final 16 all have official Twitter accounts this year and there have been several instances of the singers complaining about the negative remarks directed at them. Gary Barlow partly blamed Frankie Cocozza's show exit on the hatred the 18-year-old had picked up on the social networking site, while Misha B and Little Mix's Jesy Nelson have also had to face strongly-worded abuse from 'fans' of the ITV1 talent show. Collins told Digital Spy: "It really does affect people. Absolutely. There's been lots of stuff thrown at us and it feels like people are allowed to say anything. "In the normal world if people said these things, there would be a little bit of confrontation. The fact is that some (more)...
- 11/21/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
The X Factor quarter-final will have a Motown theme, say reports. Misha B, Marcus Collins, Amelia Lily, Janet Devlin and Little Mix will tackle tracks from the Motown back catalogue next Saturday, according to This Morning's X Factor correspondent Jeff Brazier. The final five will be performing two tracks each on Saturday for the first time in the competition. Next Sunday's results show will feature guest performances from Xtra Factor host Olly Murs and Jessie J. It will (more)...
- 11/21/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Little Mix have been named as the best performers of The X Factor's Movie Week by Digital Spy readers. More than half of voters (52.4%) in our exclusive poll named the girl group's rendition of 'Don't Let Go (Love)' by En Vogue the best performance of the night. Tulisa Contostavlos's band were previously named the top act of Halloween Week and have finished as runners-up in Digital Spy's last two polls. Last week's victor Amelia Lily came second with 15.7%, just beating Marcus Collins and his Ghostbusters-inspired (more)...
- 11/20/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
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