After Overload's plucky performance of their happy-go-lucky 'No, No, No' on Sunday's X Factor, we got all nostalgic. We started thinking about all the times an artist has taken the viewer a little bit by surprise and treated us to their own work; shown us little sparks of original songwriting talent in the creative vacuum that can be The X Factor.
Digital Spy looks back at the best five original tracks from over the years, celebrating the acts that had the conviction to eschew the safe, insipid versions of 'One', 'Feeling Good', 'Fast Car' et al and performed original songs on TV's most intimidating, unforgiving talent show.
5. Overload - 'No, No, No'
We've had a few original songs already this year, like party girl Ten Senah's fiery '15 Minutes', but Overload have been an early series highlight, and so 'No, No, No' is straight in at number five.
Digital Spy looks back at the best five original tracks from over the years, celebrating the acts that had the conviction to eschew the safe, insipid versions of 'One', 'Feeling Good', 'Fast Car' et al and performed original songs on TV's most intimidating, unforgiving talent show.
5. Overload - 'No, No, No'
We've had a few original songs already this year, like party girl Ten Senah's fiery '15 Minutes', but Overload have been an early series highlight, and so 'No, No, No' is straight in at number five.
- 9/16/2014
- Digital Spy
Sam Bailey has won The X Factor's 2013 grand final over fellow contestant Nicholas McDonald.
The Overs singer garnered more than 1 million votes from the public, and will now receive a recording contract and the opportunity to open for Beyoncé on the UK leg of her 'Mrs Carter Show World Tour'.
Digital Spy presents a selection of the social media reaction to Sam Bailey's X Factor win below:
Congratulations Sam. We'll deserved. And I love your version of skyscraper. Happy Xmas. Simon.
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) December 15, 2013
I am so blessed to have been a tiny part of @SamBaileyREAL's victory tonight on @TheXFactor. Thank you. #XFactorFinal
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) December 15, 2013
Congrats @SamBaileyREAL totally deserved it from Day 1 love your Kings x
— Kingsland Road (@KingslandRd) December 15, 2013
A Big Congratulations to @SamBaileyREAL well done!!
— Rough Copy © (@RoughCopyUK) December 15, 2013
Just want to thank everyone so much for everything the support has been overwhelming...
The Overs singer garnered more than 1 million votes from the public, and will now receive a recording contract and the opportunity to open for Beyoncé on the UK leg of her 'Mrs Carter Show World Tour'.
Digital Spy presents a selection of the social media reaction to Sam Bailey's X Factor win below:
Congratulations Sam. We'll deserved. And I love your version of skyscraper. Happy Xmas. Simon.
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) December 15, 2013
I am so blessed to have been a tiny part of @SamBaileyREAL's victory tonight on @TheXFactor. Thank you. #XFactorFinal
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) December 15, 2013
Congrats @SamBaileyREAL totally deserved it from Day 1 love your Kings x
— Kingsland Road (@KingslandRd) December 15, 2013
A Big Congratulations to @SamBaileyREAL well done!!
— Rough Copy © (@RoughCopyUK) December 15, 2013
Just want to thank everyone so much for everything the support has been overwhelming...
- 12/16/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor 2013 voting statistics have been made available in full by ITV, as is tradition at the end of a series.
The figures show that Sam Bailey and Nicholas McDonald were the only two contestants to ever lead the public vote, with Bailey maintaining her status at the top of the pile from Week 7 until her victory earlier on Sunday evening (December 15).
The X Factor: Judges' winner predictions revealed
McDonald led voting on the first Sunday of the Live Shows, both nights of week two and week six, with Bailey leading all other weeks.
The statistics also show that there was just 0.4% separating Rough Copy and Luke Friend during the week of the quarter finals, when Friend ended up in the sing-off and Tamera Foster was eliminated.
On four occasions, the contestant who was eliminated did not finish bottom of the public vote - Lorna Simpson in week one,...
The figures show that Sam Bailey and Nicholas McDonald were the only two contestants to ever lead the public vote, with Bailey maintaining her status at the top of the pile from Week 7 until her victory earlier on Sunday evening (December 15).
The X Factor: Judges' winner predictions revealed
McDonald led voting on the first Sunday of the Live Shows, both nights of week two and week six, with Bailey leading all other weeks.
The statistics also show that there was just 0.4% separating Rough Copy and Luke Friend during the week of the quarter finals, when Friend ended up in the sing-off and Tamera Foster was eliminated.
On four occasions, the contestant who was eliminated did not finish bottom of the public vote - Lorna Simpson in week one,...
- 12/15/2013
- Digital Spy
Songs by The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Adele, Coldplay, The Beatles, George Michael and Shirley Bassey will be covered by X Factor artists on tomorrow's Great British Songbook.
Hannah Barrett will sing '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction', Luke Friend will perform 'Your Song' and Nicholas McDonald takes on 'Someone Like You'.
Rough Copy perform 'Viva La Vida', Sam Bailey sings 'Something', Sam Callahan has 'Faith' and Tamera Foster gives her take on Bond theme 'Diamonds Are Forever'.
Miley Cyrus and show judge Gary Barlow are the guest performers on this weekend's show.
On last week's show, Abi Alton was eliminated after a sing-off with Barrett.
The X Factor Great British Songbook weekend kicks off on Saturday at 8pm on ITV.
The results show will follow the next day at the same time.
Hannah Barrett will sing '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction', Luke Friend will perform 'Your Song' and Nicholas McDonald takes on 'Someone Like You'.
Rough Copy perform 'Viva La Vida', Sam Bailey sings 'Something', Sam Callahan has 'Faith' and Tamera Foster gives her take on Bond theme 'Diamonds Are Forever'.
Miley Cyrus and show judge Gary Barlow are the guest performers on this weekend's show.
On last week's show, Abi Alton was eliminated after a sing-off with Barrett.
The X Factor Great British Songbook weekend kicks off on Saturday at 8pm on ITV.
The results show will follow the next day at the same time.
- 11/15/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor aired its latest results show this evening (November 10), with the fifth elimination of the series and live performances from Celine Dion and Robbie Williams.
Abi Alton became the first of Nicole Scherzinger's girls to exit the 2013 series, after losing out in this week's sing-off to Hannah Barrett.
If you missed out on tonight's drama or simply want to relive it, you can check out our live blog here.
Abi Alton became the first of Nicole Scherzinger's girls to exit the 2013 series, after losing out in this week's sing-off to Hannah Barrett.
If you missed out on tonight's drama or simply want to relive it, you can check out our live blog here.
- 11/10/2013
- Digital Spy
Abi Alton has become the fifth act to be eliminated from 'The X Factor'. The quirky singer was sent packing from the ITV singing competition following a sing-off with Hannah Barrett, who is also part of Nicole Scherzinger's Girls category, during tonight's (10.11.13) live results show. Abi performed Ed Sheeran's stripped-back hit 'Lego House' for the judges after scoring poorly in the public vote, while Hannah, 17, took on Miley Cyrus' power ballad 'Wrecking Ball'. Due to an emotional Nicole refusing to choose between her two acts, Abi was sent home when both Gary Barlow and Sharon Osbourne voted for the 19-year-old student. Louis...
- 11/10/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
The latest act to be eliminated from The X Factor has been revealed.
Abi Alton exited the show following a sing-off with Hannah Barrett. The result means that Nicole Scherzinger loses the first act from her Girls category.
Alton took on Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House' in the sing-off, while Barrett performed Miley Cyrus's recent hit 'Wrecking Ball'.
Scherzinger refused to take part in this week's vote as she could not choose between her two acts. Gary Barlow and Sharon Osbourne both chose to send home Alton.
Barlow and Osbourne both commented that Alton had left it too late to give an amazing performance. After the result had been announced, Louis Walsh revealed that he would also have chosen to save Barrett and send Alton home.
Speaking to host Dermot O'Leary, Alton said: "I never in a million and one years anticipated that I would get this far. I've...
Abi Alton exited the show following a sing-off with Hannah Barrett. The result means that Nicole Scherzinger loses the first act from her Girls category.
Alton took on Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House' in the sing-off, while Barrett performed Miley Cyrus's recent hit 'Wrecking Ball'.
Scherzinger refused to take part in this week's vote as she could not choose between her two acts. Gary Barlow and Sharon Osbourne both chose to send home Alton.
Barlow and Osbourne both commented that Alton had left it too late to give an amazing performance. After the result had been announced, Louis Walsh revealed that he would also have chosen to save Barrett and send Alton home.
Speaking to host Dermot O'Leary, Alton said: "I never in a million and one years anticipated that I would get this far. I've...
- 11/10/2013
- Digital Spy
It gave us Louis Walsh tooting on a trumpet, Rough Copy swinging their canes and Sam Callahan murdering Dean Martin. Big Band Week was everything we wished for and more last night.
But who will be getting the boot out of the competition this evening? Only seven acts can go through and for someone, this evening's sing-off will be the end of the road.
Join us from 8pm when we'll have a running commentary on all the action, including the special guest appearances from Robbie Williams and Celine Dion.
20:59Have a good evening guys and girls. We're off to watch Downton Abbey's finale. Have a good night!
20:58That's a wrap. Next week's theme? A rather bland Great British Songbook. We've also got a live performance from Gary Barlow to look forward to. Hmm. Oh, and did someone say Miley Cyrus? Bring your foam fingers along next Sunday.
But who will be getting the boot out of the competition this evening? Only seven acts can go through and for someone, this evening's sing-off will be the end of the road.
Join us from 8pm when we'll have a running commentary on all the action, including the special guest appearances from Robbie Williams and Celine Dion.
20:59Have a good evening guys and girls. We're off to watch Downton Abbey's finale. Have a good night!
20:58That's a wrap. Next week's theme? A rather bland Great British Songbook. We've also got a live performance from Gary Barlow to look forward to. Hmm. Oh, and did someone say Miley Cyrus? Bring your foam fingers along next Sunday.
- 11/10/2013
- Digital Spy
Sam Bailey has topped Digital Spy's fifth X Factor 2013 poll.
The prison officer received 39.36% of the vote to find this week's best performance for her version of 'Theme from New York, New York'.
It is the fourth week out of five that Bailey has topped the DS weekly poll, having previously won last week's vote by a similar amount.
Rough Copy achieve their highest placement in the weekly polls so far, coming in second with 19.91% for their cover of 'Hit the Road Jack'.
Tamera Foster finishes in third place for her performance of 'Cry Me a River', polling 12.92% of the vote.
Nicholas McDonald is fourth with 7.10%, followed by Hannah Barrett in fifth with 5.57%.
Abi Alton looks to be the most in danger of departing the competition this week, finishing in last place with 4.50%.
Sam Callahan finishes second from bottom with 5.10%, while Luke Friend took in 5.54%.
The poll received votes from over 19,240 DS readers.
The prison officer received 39.36% of the vote to find this week's best performance for her version of 'Theme from New York, New York'.
It is the fourth week out of five that Bailey has topped the DS weekly poll, having previously won last week's vote by a similar amount.
Rough Copy achieve their highest placement in the weekly polls so far, coming in second with 19.91% for their cover of 'Hit the Road Jack'.
Tamera Foster finishes in third place for her performance of 'Cry Me a River', polling 12.92% of the vote.
Nicholas McDonald is fourth with 7.10%, followed by Hannah Barrett in fifth with 5.57%.
Abi Alton looks to be the most in danger of departing the competition this week, finishing in last place with 4.50%.
Sam Callahan finishes second from bottom with 5.10%, while Luke Friend took in 5.54%.
The poll received votes from over 19,240 DS readers.
- 11/10/2013
- Digital Spy
Full details of The X Factor live tour 2014 have been revealed.
Viewers saw Simon Cowell appear via video link during last night's (November 9) show to deliver the news that the final eight contestants would be taking part in the tour.
Abi Alton, Hannah Barrett, Luke Friend, Nicholas McDonald, Rough Copy, Sam Bailey, Sam Callahan and Tamera Foster will play 18 dates across the UK throughout February and March next year.
The contestants have expressed their delight at taking part in the shows, which will see them perform a mixture of classic songs and viewers' favourites from their time on The X Factor.
The last remaining singer from the Over 25s category Bailey said: "Getting the news that I'd be on the tour has made me realise that dreams do come true because now, after all this time, I'm finally where I belong and I can't wait to get that butterfly feeling...
Viewers saw Simon Cowell appear via video link during last night's (November 9) show to deliver the news that the final eight contestants would be taking part in the tour.
Abi Alton, Hannah Barrett, Luke Friend, Nicholas McDonald, Rough Copy, Sam Bailey, Sam Callahan and Tamera Foster will play 18 dates across the UK throughout February and March next year.
The contestants have expressed their delight at taking part in the shows, which will see them perform a mixture of classic songs and viewers' favourites from their time on The X Factor.
The last remaining singer from the Over 25s category Bailey said: "Getting the news that I'd be on the tour has made me realise that dreams do come true because now, after all this time, I'm finally where I belong and I can't wait to get that butterfly feeling...
- 11/10/2013
- Digital Spy
Not since the days of Jedward, Olly Murs and Rikki Loney (?!) has X Factor treated us to a Big Band Week. It's a chance for the acts to show off their most powerful vocal performances and knock out some good old fashioned Rat Pack classics. Or at least that's the plan anyway.
Can Sam Callahan finally win over Gary Barlow? How old is Nicholas McDonald? (16!!) And will Nicole Scherzinger be as 'excited' as she was on last week's Live Show? These are all questions we hope will be answered this evening.
Join us from 8pm when it all kicks off again on ITV.
21:32See you tomorrow at 8pm. Celine Dion and Robbie Williams are the special guests. Thanks for all the comments, as always. We love them all. Good and bad.
21:30That's all for tonight folks. There's no Flash Vote tonight. You'll have to wait 24 hours to find...
Can Sam Callahan finally win over Gary Barlow? How old is Nicholas McDonald? (16!!) And will Nicole Scherzinger be as 'excited' as she was on last week's Live Show? These are all questions we hope will be answered this evening.
Join us from 8pm when it all kicks off again on ITV.
21:32See you tomorrow at 8pm. Celine Dion and Robbie Williams are the special guests. Thanks for all the comments, as always. We love them all. Good and bad.
21:30That's all for tonight folks. There's no Flash Vote tonight. You'll have to wait 24 hours to find...
- 11/9/2013
- Digital Spy
Not since the days of Jedward, Olly Murs and Rikki Loney (?!) has X Factor treated us to a Big Band Week. It's a chance for the acts to show off their most powerful vocal performances and knock out some good old fashioned Rat Pack classics. Or at least that's the plan anyway.
Can Sam Callahan finally win over Gary Barlow? How old is Nicholas McDonald? (16!!) And will Nicole Scherzinger be as 'excited' as she was on last week's Live Show? These are all questions we hope will be answered this evening.
Join us from 8pm when it all kicks off again on ITV.
21:32See you tomorrow at 8pm. Celine Dion and Robbie Williams are the special guests. Thanks for all the comments, as always. We love them all. Good and bad.
21:30That's all for tonight folks. There's no Flash Vote tonight. You'll have to wait 24 hours to find...
Can Sam Callahan finally win over Gary Barlow? How old is Nicholas McDonald? (16!!) And will Nicole Scherzinger be as 'excited' as she was on last week's Live Show? These are all questions we hope will be answered this evening.
Join us from 8pm when it all kicks off again on ITV.
21:32See you tomorrow at 8pm. Celine Dion and Robbie Williams are the special guests. Thanks for all the comments, as always. We love them all. Good and bad.
21:30That's all for tonight folks. There's no Flash Vote tonight. You'll have to wait 24 hours to find...
- 11/9/2013
- Digital Spy
Abi Alton has hit back at Sharon Osbourne's sing-off critique following her 'X Factor' exit. The brunette pop wannabe was voted off the show on Sunday night (10.11.13) by judges Gary Barlow and Sharon, who criticised her for waiting until she was at risk of leaving to show what she can do in the competition, but the 19-year-old hopeful insists she would have ''cracked'' if she had put the same level of emotion into her weekly Saturday performances as she did in her sing-off. Abi - who sang a touching cover of Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House' before she was kicked off...
- 11/8/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
The Big Band Week song choices for the X Factor Final 8 have been revealed.
It is the first time that Big Band Week has been a part of the ITV talent show since 2009, when Olly Murs and Jedward were among the contestants performing.
This weekend's performances will include a cover of 'That's Life' from Abi Alton and Hannah Barrett belting out her take on 'This Is A Man's World'.
Luke Friend will be tackling 'Moondance', while Nicholas McDonald will hope to impress with 'Dream A Little Dream'. Meanwhile, Rough Copy are putting their spin on 'Hit The Road Jack'.
Sam Bailey tackles yet another big hit, covering Frank Sinatra's 'New York New York', and Sam Callahan will be hoping to finally win over Gary Barlow with his version of 'Ain't That A Kick In The Head'.
Tamera Foster, who was in the bottom two last week,...
It is the first time that Big Band Week has been a part of the ITV talent show since 2009, when Olly Murs and Jedward were among the contestants performing.
This weekend's performances will include a cover of 'That's Life' from Abi Alton and Hannah Barrett belting out her take on 'This Is A Man's World'.
Luke Friend will be tackling 'Moondance', while Nicholas McDonald will hope to impress with 'Dream A Little Dream'. Meanwhile, Rough Copy are putting their spin on 'Hit The Road Jack'.
Sam Bailey tackles yet another big hit, covering Frank Sinatra's 'New York New York', and Sam Callahan will be hoping to finally win over Gary Barlow with his version of 'Ain't That A Kick In The Head'.
Tamera Foster, who was in the bottom two last week,...
- 11/8/2013
- Digital Spy
Abi Alton has become the fifth act to be eliminated from 'The X Factor'. The quirky singer was sent packing from the ITV singing competition following a sing-off with Hannah Barrett, who is also part of Nicole Scherzinger's Girls category, during tonight's (10.11.13) live results show. Abi performed Ed Sheeran's stripped-back hit 'Lego House' for the judges after scoring poorly in the public vote, while Hannah, 17, took on Miley Cyrus' power ballad 'Wrecking Ball'. Due to an emotional Nicole refusing to choose between her two acts, Abi was sent home when both Gary Barlow and Sharon Osbourne voted for the 19-year-old student. Louis...
- 11/7/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Abi Alton has been slammed by Kingsland Road. The 'X Factor' group - who departed the competition at the weekend after losing in the sing-off to Tamera Foster - hit out at the 19-year-old hopeful for being ''opinionated'' and ''sensitive''. Singer Josh Zare said: ''She's not the most agreeable person in the world. She's just got expectations and not everyone lives up to them. She's quite sensitive and we're very bantery lads, we like to play pranks and push the boundaries.'' His bandmate Jay Scott added: ''She's not sweet and she's not innocent - she's very opinionated.'' And the quintet also revealed ousted group...
- 11/7/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Abi Alton has been slammed by Kingsland Road. The 'X Factor' group - who departed the competition at the weekend after losing in the sing-off to Tamera Foster - hit out at the 19-year-old hopeful for being ''opinionated'' and ''sensitive''. Singer Josh Zare said: ''She's not the most agreeable person in the world. She's just got expectations and not everyone lives up to them. She's quite sensitive and we're very bantery lads, we like to play pranks and push the boundaries.'' His bandmate Jay Scott added: ''She's not sweet and she's not innocent - she's very opinionated.'' And the quintet also revealed ousted group...
- 11/5/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Nile Rodgers has worked alongside David Bowie, Michael Jackson and Madonna. He is the pop mastermind behind Chic. And he's proved this year that he's still got a magical musical touch thanks to some work with daft mask-wearing, French dance geniuses Daft Punk.
In short, Nile Rodgers is a genius.
So how do we, the great British public repay Nile Rodgers? How do we repay the man who gave us the joyous beauty of 'Le Freak' and 'Good Times'? We repay him by making him play as the backing band for Dermot O'Leary's dance moves on X Factor. Shame on us, Britain. Shame On Us.
Introduced as 'a producer to the stars', Nile is now performing for Louis Walsh and a frazzled-looking Nicole Scherzinger. His reward? A piercing, insightful and engaging interview from Dermot O'Leary. "So [Nile], what are you doing at the moment?" Erm, maybe not.
This whole embarrassing...
In short, Nile Rodgers is a genius.
So how do we, the great British public repay Nile Rodgers? How do we repay the man who gave us the joyous beauty of 'Le Freak' and 'Good Times'? We repay him by making him play as the backing band for Dermot O'Leary's dance moves on X Factor. Shame on us, Britain. Shame On Us.
Introduced as 'a producer to the stars', Nile is now performing for Louis Walsh and a frazzled-looking Nicole Scherzinger. His reward? A piercing, insightful and engaging interview from Dermot O'Leary. "So [Nile], what are you doing at the moment?" Erm, maybe not.
This whole embarrassing...
- 11/4/2013
- Digital Spy
Sam Bailey has topped Digital Spy's fourth X Factor 2013 poll.
The prison officer received 36.32% of the vote to find this week's best performance for her version of 'No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)'.
It is the third week out of four that Bailey has topped the DS weekly poll, having previously won last week's vote.
Luke Friend was quite some distance behind in second place with 11.47% for his cover of 'Play That Funky Music'.
Rough Copy finished third with 11.34%, while week two winner Tamera Foster was fourth with 10.06%.
Abi Alton came in at fifth place with 9.41% of the vote, just ahead of Hannah Barrett with 9.01% at six.
Kingsland Road look to be most in danger of leaving tonight, finishing bottom with just 2.89%.
Sam Callahan was second from bottom with 4.26%, while Nicholas McDonald polled 5.24%.
The poll received votes from over 20,830 DS readers.
The X Factor continues tonight (Sunday, November 3) at 8pm,...
The prison officer received 36.32% of the vote to find this week's best performance for her version of 'No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)'.
It is the third week out of four that Bailey has topped the DS weekly poll, having previously won last week's vote.
Luke Friend was quite some distance behind in second place with 11.47% for his cover of 'Play That Funky Music'.
Rough Copy finished third with 11.34%, while week two winner Tamera Foster was fourth with 10.06%.
Abi Alton came in at fifth place with 9.41% of the vote, just ahead of Hannah Barrett with 9.01% at six.
Kingsland Road look to be most in danger of leaving tonight, finishing bottom with just 2.89%.
Sam Callahan was second from bottom with 4.26%, while Nicholas McDonald polled 5.24%.
The poll received votes from over 20,830 DS readers.
The X Factor continues tonight (Sunday, November 3) at 8pm,...
- 11/3/2013
- Digital Spy
Tonight saw some brilliant - and not so brilliant - X Factor performances for Disco Week.
Here, we round up the four who had us jumping and jiving, and the one that had us wanting to hide behind our flares...
Luke Friend - 'Play That Funky Music'
Up until now, Luke has been a bit of a boring clichéd faux-rock-popper. But it was only tonight, when he took on 'Play That Funky Music', that we felt as though we saw a more polished and dare we say - whisper it in case Louis hears - credible performer…
Sam Bailey - 'No More Tears (Enough is Enough)'
Ah, Sam Bailey. The last 'Over' standing, and up until now has been well and thoroughly slapped with the 'Mature Lady Ballad Singer' stamp. But a sexy sequined jumpsuit, some cracking moves and an up-tempo tune later and suddenly she seems less Tesco Mary,...
Here, we round up the four who had us jumping and jiving, and the one that had us wanting to hide behind our flares...
Luke Friend - 'Play That Funky Music'
Up until now, Luke has been a bit of a boring clichéd faux-rock-popper. But it was only tonight, when he took on 'Play That Funky Music', that we felt as though we saw a more polished and dare we say - whisper it in case Louis hears - credible performer…
Sam Bailey - 'No More Tears (Enough is Enough)'
Ah, Sam Bailey. The last 'Over' standing, and up until now has been well and thoroughly slapped with the 'Mature Lady Ballad Singer' stamp. But a sexy sequined jumpsuit, some cracking moves and an up-tempo tune later and suddenly she seems less Tesco Mary,...
- 11/2/2013
- Digital Spy
After the Movies, Disco Week returns to The X Factor this week.
Before you hear the final nine get their vocal cords around these disco classics, you can listen to all the original versions in Digital Spy's Spotify playlist below.
Are you dread-ing Luke Friend's funky music? Will Abi Alton survive after taking on the Gloria Gaynor classic? Will Sam Bailey be more Babs than Donna Summer when she sings 'Enough is Enough'?
Are Kingsland Road the new Jackson 5, and is Nicholas McDonald capable of singing a Michael Jackson standard? We'll find out all this and more on tomorrow's X Factor live show at 8pm on ITV.
Before you hear the final nine get their vocal cords around these disco classics, you can listen to all the original versions in Digital Spy's Spotify playlist below.
Are you dread-ing Luke Friend's funky music? Will Abi Alton survive after taking on the Gloria Gaynor classic? Will Sam Bailey be more Babs than Donna Summer when she sings 'Enough is Enough'?
Are Kingsland Road the new Jackson 5, and is Nicholas McDonald capable of singing a Michael Jackson standard? We'll find out all this and more on tomorrow's X Factor live show at 8pm on ITV.
- 11/1/2013
- Digital Spy
Little Mix have a lot to answer for. There was a time when girl groups knew their place on X Factor. Miss Frank, Kandy Rain, Hope, Bad Lashes. They all knew that they were merely making up the numbers and that an early Live Shows departure was guaranteed.
Then Little Mix came along, spoiled it all by being rather good at the whole being fun popstars malarkey and suddenly every cobbled-together-at-Boot-Camp collective believe that stardom might be just around the corner.
And so we come to Miss Dynamix, a female three-piece who fitted together like a jam, ham and pineapple sandwich. Never in the entire history of pop have three people possessed such a minuscule amount of chemistry.
Featuring the pregnant one, the tall one and the one that never talked, they were always a walking elimination waiting to happen and after being handed a bye last week, this weekend was a mere formality.
Then Little Mix came along, spoiled it all by being rather good at the whole being fun popstars malarkey and suddenly every cobbled-together-at-Boot-Camp collective believe that stardom might be just around the corner.
And so we come to Miss Dynamix, a female three-piece who fitted together like a jam, ham and pineapple sandwich. Never in the entire history of pop have three people possessed such a minuscule amount of chemistry.
Featuring the pregnant one, the tall one and the one that never talked, they were always a walking elimination waiting to happen and after being handed a bye last week, this weekend was a mere formality.
- 10/28/2013
- Digital Spy
Nicole Scherzinger has suggested that The X Factor's themes make it hard to maintain Abi Alton's identity.
Alton received negatives comments from judges Sharon Osbourne and Gary Barlow after tackling 'Moon River' in Movie Week.
> The X Factor Movie Week results: As it happened
Answering a viewers question on the The Xtra Factor, Scherzinger commented: "It's tough with these themes. Abi is just a singer-songwriter."
She added that if Abi was in the Us, she'd be touring and singing the songs "she wrote from the heart".
Scherzinger also mentioned her tactics for Disco Week on the next live show.
"We're just going to strip it back and go back to the drawing board. It'll be all about her lyrics and how she tells her stories," she said.
She also defended her decision to strip back this week's song.
The judge said: "It's the same thing we did in '80s week.
Alton received negatives comments from judges Sharon Osbourne and Gary Barlow after tackling 'Moon River' in Movie Week.
> The X Factor Movie Week results: As it happened
Answering a viewers question on the The Xtra Factor, Scherzinger commented: "It's tough with these themes. Abi is just a singer-songwriter."
She added that if Abi was in the Us, she'd be touring and singing the songs "she wrote from the heart".
Scherzinger also mentioned her tactics for Disco Week on the next live show.
"We're just going to strip it back and go back to the drawing board. It'll be all about her lyrics and how she tells her stories," she said.
She also defended her decision to strip back this week's song.
The judge said: "It's the same thing we did in '80s week.
- 10/27/2013
- Digital Spy
It may be Movie Week but there'll be no Hollywood ending for one X Factor act tonight as the third contestant is sent packing.
We already know Miss Dynamix are in the sing-off (#prayformissdynamix) after coming bottom in the Flash Vote, but who will join them and face being unceremoniously thrown out into that storm everyone's talking about?
Well, probably not Sam Bailey according to you lot, but given there were more flops than blockbusters last night (we're looking at you, Callahan), we'd say quite a few of them should be practising their losing speech right now.
Join Digital Spy from 8pm as we find out who is going home. Leave your comments below, tweet us - just don't be a stranger, guys.
21:00And that's it for tonight! Thanks for reading. Next week it's Disco Week! With appearances from Nile Rodgers and Chic, Little Mix and Taylor Swift with Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol.
We already know Miss Dynamix are in the sing-off (#prayformissdynamix) after coming bottom in the Flash Vote, but who will join them and face being unceremoniously thrown out into that storm everyone's talking about?
Well, probably not Sam Bailey according to you lot, but given there were more flops than blockbusters last night (we're looking at you, Callahan), we'd say quite a few of them should be practising their losing speech right now.
Join Digital Spy from 8pm as we find out who is going home. Leave your comments below, tweet us - just don't be a stranger, guys.
21:00And that's it for tonight! Thanks for reading. Next week it's Disco Week! With appearances from Nile Rodgers and Chic, Little Mix and Taylor Swift with Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol.
- 10/27/2013
- Digital Spy
Sam Bailey has topped Digital Spy's third X Factor 2013 poll.
The prison officer received 27.36% of the vote to find this week's best performance for her version of Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On'.
It is the second time Bailey has topped the DS weekly poll, having previously won the vote in the first week.
Last week's winner Tamera Foster finished second with 17.58% for her cover of 'Listen' from Dreamgirls.
Hannah Barrett came third with 13.07% of the vote for her version of Adele's 'Skyfall', while Luke Friend was fourth with 12.15% for his cover of Seal's 'Kiss From a Rose'.
Nicholas McDonald's take on Sarah McLachlan's 'Angels' gathered 9.80% to complete the top five.
Abi Alton came sixth with 5.81%, followed by Rough Copy with 5.62% in seventh place.
DS readers agreed with the general public by placing flashvote victims Miss Dynamix in last place with...
The prison officer received 27.36% of the vote to find this week's best performance for her version of Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On'.
It is the second time Bailey has topped the DS weekly poll, having previously won the vote in the first week.
Last week's winner Tamera Foster finished second with 17.58% for her cover of 'Listen' from Dreamgirls.
Hannah Barrett came third with 13.07% of the vote for her version of Adele's 'Skyfall', while Luke Friend was fourth with 12.15% for his cover of Seal's 'Kiss From a Rose'.
Nicholas McDonald's take on Sarah McLachlan's 'Angels' gathered 9.80% to complete the top five.
Abi Alton came sixth with 5.81%, followed by Rough Copy with 5.62% in seventh place.
DS readers agreed with the general public by placing flashvote victims Miss Dynamix in last place with...
- 10/27/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor's Abi Alton has explained that she cried on stage tonight because she was "frustrated".
The 19-year-old took on 'Moon River' during tonight's 'Movie Week' show, but ended up in tears after receiving negative comments from Sharon Osbourne and Gary Barlow.
> X Factor Movie Week: Our 5 favourite performances
Speaking on The Xtra Factor, Osbourne - who had urged Alton to show more charisma - admitted that she hadn't meant to upset the singer.
"I think she's unique, she's talented, but you know what, this business is tough," she said. "And as much as people love you, they have comments about you too, and you have to be able to take it. You've got to get tough. She's a talented girl; that's what I keep telling her. That's why she's here, because she's talented."
Osbourne admitted that she isn't sure if Alton is tough enough for the competition,...
The 19-year-old took on 'Moon River' during tonight's 'Movie Week' show, but ended up in tears after receiving negative comments from Sharon Osbourne and Gary Barlow.
> X Factor Movie Week: Our 5 favourite performances
Speaking on The Xtra Factor, Osbourne - who had urged Alton to show more charisma - admitted that she hadn't meant to upset the singer.
"I think she's unique, she's talented, but you know what, this business is tough," she said. "And as much as people love you, they have comments about you too, and you have to be able to take it. You've got to get tough. She's a talented girl; that's what I keep telling her. That's why she's here, because she's talented."
Osbourne admitted that she isn't sure if Alton is tough enough for the competition,...
- 10/26/2013
- Digital Spy
Movie Week is normally good for a laugh - enter Louis Walsh and Gummo. This year, we had everything from Nicole's bizarre desire for cheese to rain down on her to Abi Alton having a bit of an on-stage cry after a bit of criticism from Sharon and Gary. Yikes!
Luckily, there were also some very good performances. Below, we round up our five favourite performances of the night - let us know who impressed you the most!
Tamera Foster - 'Listen'
'Listen' is such a clichéd X Factor song that it's easy to yawn when you hear somebody's taking it on. But Tamera managed to make it interesting, blazing up the final-performance slot with a confident, assured performance that even ended up with her standing on a piano. We loved her even more when she took off her shoes to climb off it, too. Gary might have dismissed it as a Beyoncé impersonation,...
Luckily, there were also some very good performances. Below, we round up our five favourite performances of the night - let us know who impressed you the most!
Tamera Foster - 'Listen'
'Listen' is such a clichéd X Factor song that it's easy to yawn when you hear somebody's taking it on. But Tamera managed to make it interesting, blazing up the final-performance slot with a confident, assured performance that even ended up with her standing on a piano. We loved her even more when she took off her shoes to climb off it, too. Gary might have dismissed it as a Beyoncé impersonation,...
- 10/26/2013
- Digital Spy
We're already into our third week of X Factor live shows, so it's time to inject a little bit of Hollywood glamour into proceedings - enter Movie Week! This has always been a good one for Louis Walsh's rulebook (or, alternatively, Louis Walsh's bizarre choice of a song from Gummo) so let's hope for some more drama tonight.
With Miss Dynamix back in the mix, Abi Alton (hopefully) not too injured after last week's fall and Nicole Scherzinger suitably filled up with Greggs sausage rolls, who knows what could be happening?
Well, Digital Spy will be here to bring you all the action, so join us when the show starts at 8pm on ITV to find out what's going down as Hollywood meets X Factor. And make sure you to get in on the fun by leaving your comments below and on our Twitter page...
21:57So that's that then!
With Miss Dynamix back in the mix, Abi Alton (hopefully) not too injured after last week's fall and Nicole Scherzinger suitably filled up with Greggs sausage rolls, who knows what could be happening?
Well, Digital Spy will be here to bring you all the action, so join us when the show starts at 8pm on ITV to find out what's going down as Hollywood meets X Factor. And make sure you to get in on the fun by leaving your comments below and on our Twitter page...
21:57So that's that then!
- 10/26/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor has revealed the song choices for this weekend's 'Movie Week' theme.
All ten remaining acts will perform songs associated with movies in the third Live Show of the series.
Performances will vary from classics such as the Breakfast at Tiffany's track 'Moon River' sung by Abi Alton, to Adele's smash hit 'Skyfall' which Hannah Barrett will take on.
Kingsland Road are set to sing 'Oh, Pretty Woman', while Luke Friend will perform the soundtrack to 1995's Batman Forever movie 'Kiss From A Rose', originally sung by Seal.
Gabrielle's 'Dreams', which featured in the 1999 film Magnolia, is being performed by Miss Dynamix and Nicholas McDonald will sing 'In The Arms Of An Angel'.
Meanwhile, Rough Copy will take on Bryan Adams's power ballad '(Everything I Do) I Do It for You' from the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves film, as...
All ten remaining acts will perform songs associated with movies in the third Live Show of the series.
Performances will vary from classics such as the Breakfast at Tiffany's track 'Moon River' sung by Abi Alton, to Adele's smash hit 'Skyfall' which Hannah Barrett will take on.
Kingsland Road are set to sing 'Oh, Pretty Woman', while Luke Friend will perform the soundtrack to 1995's Batman Forever movie 'Kiss From A Rose', originally sung by Seal.
Gabrielle's 'Dreams', which featured in the 1999 film Magnolia, is being performed by Miss Dynamix and Nicholas McDonald will sing 'In The Arms Of An Angel'.
Meanwhile, Rough Copy will take on Bryan Adams's power ballad '(Everything I Do) I Do It for You' from the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves film, as...
- 10/25/2013
- Digital Spy
Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Tom Hiddleston were amongst the stars who attended the UK premiere of Thor: The Dark World tonight (October 22).
The film premiere, which was held at the Odeon Leicester Square, also saw celebrities walk the red carpet for the Alan Taylor-directed Marvel movie.
Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston and Kat Dennings - who all star in the Thor sequel - also arrived in London to promote the film.
Director Alan Taylor and writer Joss Whedon were also in attendance, as leads Hemsworth and Hiddleston had a pretend fight for photographers.
Meanwhile, Digital Spy's Anna Williamson joined The X Factor's Abi Alton and Rough Copy for the premiere, alongside axed Strictly Come Dancing contestant Vanessa Feltz.
Watch DS speak to Hemsworth and Hiddleston below:...
The film premiere, which was held at the Odeon Leicester Square, also saw celebrities walk the red carpet for the Alan Taylor-directed Marvel movie.
Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston and Kat Dennings - who all star in the Thor sequel - also arrived in London to promote the film.
Director Alan Taylor and writer Joss Whedon were also in attendance, as leads Hemsworth and Hiddleston had a pretend fight for photographers.
Meanwhile, Digital Spy's Anna Williamson joined The X Factor's Abi Alton and Rough Copy for the premiere, alongside axed Strictly Come Dancing contestant Vanessa Feltz.
Watch DS speak to Hemsworth and Hiddleston below:...
- 10/22/2013
- Digital Spy
Dermot O'Leary's decision to ditch his wacky opening dance routines and replace them with an air golf swing with his microphone is symbolic of this year's decision from X Factor producers to strip back the silliness.
There is no Rylan this year. There is no Wagner or Jedward. The closest thing we had was a plump lady from the West Country, but she's been given the boot now. Dermot's dance has been ditched. And even Louis Walsh opted to save the right act on Sunday night, rescuing boyband Kingsland Road over the aforementioned Devon diva.
> 5 talking points from this week's 'X Factor'
Watching the judges reveal their choices, it felt like a perfect opportunity for Louis and the producers to shake up a series that so far has steered clear of scandal and mock outrage. He could have saved Shelley, sent home the boys and ignited a grumpy,...
There is no Rylan this year. There is no Wagner or Jedward. The closest thing we had was a plump lady from the West Country, but she's been given the boot now. Dermot's dance has been ditched. And even Louis Walsh opted to save the right act on Sunday night, rescuing boyband Kingsland Road over the aforementioned Devon diva.
> 5 talking points from this week's 'X Factor'
Watching the judges reveal their choices, it felt like a perfect opportunity for Louis and the producers to shake up a series that so far has steered clear of scandal and mock outrage. He could have saved Shelley, sent home the boys and ignited a grumpy,...
- 10/21/2013
- Digital Spy
'X Factor' wannabe Abi Alton was rushed to hospital last night (20.10.13). The 19-year-old hopeful was strapped onto a stretcher in a neck support after she fell down a flight of stairs backstage and injured her back following the Sunday night results show. 'The Xtra Factor' host Caroline Flack explained to viewers what had happened and why Abi was missing from the spin-off show. She said: ''She has actually hurt her back so she has gone to have her back checked. She is absolutely fine. I think she's going to be Ok.'' A source told MailOnline: ''Abi was accompanied to the hospital...
- 10/21/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
X Factor hopeful Abi Alton was rushed to hospital last night (October 20).
The 19-year-old singer was seen being taken away on an ambulance stretcher after falling down some stairs on set.
She tripped and fell down a number of steps, landing awkwardly on her back in the incident.
It is believed that the steps in question were connected to the stage, and that it happened just minutes after she discovered she had made it through to next week.
She explained on Twitter: "fell down some stairs, landed on the edge of one on my back- thankful it's not worse + confident ill continue performing x"
out of hospital and thankfully there is no serious damage. Thanks for your lovely messages, im sure will be right as rain in no time xxx
— Abi Alton Music (@abialton) October 21, 2013
During last night's Xtra Factor show, host Caroline Flack reassured viewers that Alton was alright,...
The 19-year-old singer was seen being taken away on an ambulance stretcher after falling down some stairs on set.
She tripped and fell down a number of steps, landing awkwardly on her back in the incident.
It is believed that the steps in question were connected to the stage, and that it happened just minutes after she discovered she had made it through to next week.
She explained on Twitter: "fell down some stairs, landed on the edge of one on my back- thankful it's not worse + confident ill continue performing x"
out of hospital and thankfully there is no serious damage. Thanks for your lovely messages, im sure will be right as rain in no time xxx
— Abi Alton Music (@abialton) October 21, 2013
During last night's Xtra Factor show, host Caroline Flack reassured viewers that Alton was alright,...
- 10/21/2013
- Digital Spy
X Factor's 'Love and Heartache' week lived up to its title, with Hannah Barrett getting buckets of adoration for her Christina Aguilera cover, while Sharon Osbourne was left distraught as her darling Nicholas McDonald was lured away by some 'pediophile'.
But it's Kingsland Road whose X Factor love affair is on the rocks after last night, getting the equivalent of a text saying, 'We need to talk' from viewers as they finished bottom of the 'Flash Vote'. But will it be them sobbing into a bucket of ice cream tonight after being dumped from the competition?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm to find out, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
21:00Thanks for joining Digital Spy tonight, everybody! Are you happy with the results? Or should Louis have taken a chance on 'Shell Bells'?...
But it's Kingsland Road whose X Factor love affair is on the rocks after last night, getting the equivalent of a text saying, 'We need to talk' from viewers as they finished bottom of the 'Flash Vote'. But will it be them sobbing into a bucket of ice cream tonight after being dumped from the competition?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm to find out, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
21:00Thanks for joining Digital Spy tonight, everybody! Are you happy with the results? Or should Louis have taken a chance on 'Shell Bells'?...
- 10/20/2013
- Digital Spy
X Factor's 'Love and Heartache' week lived up to its title, with Hannah Barrett getting buckets of adoration for her Christina Aguilera cover, while Sharon Osbourne was left distraught as her darling Nicholas McDonald was lured away by some 'pediophile'.
But it's Kingsland Road whose X Factor love affair is on the rocks after last night, getting the equivalent of a text saying, 'We need to talk' from viewers as they finished bottom of the 'Flash Vote'. But will it be them sobbing into a bucket of ice cream tonight after being dumped from the competition?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm to find out, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
21:00Thanks for joining Digital Spy tonight, everybody! Are you happy with the results? Or should Louis have taken a chance on 'Shell Bells'?...
But it's Kingsland Road whose X Factor love affair is on the rocks after last night, getting the equivalent of a text saying, 'We need to talk' from viewers as they finished bottom of the 'Flash Vote'. But will it be them sobbing into a bucket of ice cream tonight after being dumped from the competition?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm to find out, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
21:00Thanks for joining Digital Spy tonight, everybody! Are you happy with the results? Or should Louis have taken a chance on 'Shell Bells'?...
- 10/20/2013
- Digital Spy
Tamera Foster has topped Digital Spy's second X Factor 2013 poll.
The teenager received 27.76% of the vote to find this week's best performance for her version of Labrinth's 'Beneath Your Beautiful'.
Hannah Barrett's cover of Christina Aguilera's 'Beautiful' came second with 15.47%, followed by Nicholas McDonald's take on 'She's the One' by Robbie Williams with 13.74%.
Last week's poll winner Sam Bailey finished fourth with her version of Bob Dylan's 'Make You Feel My Love'. Rough Copy's cover of Backstreet Boys' 'I Want It That Way' came fifth with 9.28% and Abi Alton was sixth with 5.42%.
Kingsland Road - who finished bottom in last night's flashvote and will definitely perform in tonight's sing-off - finished seventh with 5.23%.
Sam Callahan came eighth with 4.30%, followed by Luke Friend with 4.00% in ninth.
Last week's sing-off survivor Shelley Smith looks to be most in danger of joining Kingsland Road, as she finished bottom...
The teenager received 27.76% of the vote to find this week's best performance for her version of Labrinth's 'Beneath Your Beautiful'.
Hannah Barrett's cover of Christina Aguilera's 'Beautiful' came second with 15.47%, followed by Nicholas McDonald's take on 'She's the One' by Robbie Williams with 13.74%.
Last week's poll winner Sam Bailey finished fourth with her version of Bob Dylan's 'Make You Feel My Love'. Rough Copy's cover of Backstreet Boys' 'I Want It That Way' came fifth with 9.28% and Abi Alton was sixth with 5.42%.
Kingsland Road - who finished bottom in last night's flashvote and will definitely perform in tonight's sing-off - finished seventh with 5.23%.
Sam Callahan came eighth with 4.30%, followed by Luke Friend with 4.00% in ninth.
Last week's sing-off survivor Shelley Smith looks to be most in danger of joining Kingsland Road, as she finished bottom...
- 10/20/2013
- Digital Spy
Louis Walsh has made a dig at Nicole Scherzinger's Girls category ahead of this weekend's second X Factor Live Show.
The final 11 acts in the competition have to perform songs with a 'Love & Heartache' theme and Walsh believes that Abi Alton, Tamera Foster and Hannah Barrett could be in danger this week if they don't up their game.
"The three girls need to get their act together this week. They haven't got their act together yet," said Walsh. "I don't know why - they just haven't so they need to do that this week.
"I also think Shelley [Smith] needs to work hard this week. She was in the bottom two and needs to fight for her place."
Speaking about the song choices for his Boys, Nicholas McDonald, Sam Callahan and Luke Friend, Walsh added: "I've picked three really great songs this week and working with the boys is a dream.
The final 11 acts in the competition have to perform songs with a 'Love & Heartache' theme and Walsh believes that Abi Alton, Tamera Foster and Hannah Barrett could be in danger this week if they don't up their game.
"The three girls need to get their act together this week. They haven't got their act together yet," said Walsh. "I don't know why - they just haven't so they need to do that this week.
"I also think Shelley [Smith] needs to work hard this week. She was in the bottom two and needs to fight for her place."
Speaking about the song choices for his Boys, Nicholas McDonald, Sam Callahan and Luke Friend, Walsh added: "I've picked three really great songs this week and working with the boys is a dream.
- 10/18/2013
- Digital Spy
'X Factor' wannabe Abi Alton was rushed to hospital last night (20.10.13). The 19-year-old hopeful was strapped onto a stretcher in a neck support after she fell down a flight of stairs backstage and injured her back following the Sunday night results show. 'The Xtra Factor' host Caroline Flack explained to viewers what had happened and why Abi was missing from the spin-off show. She said: ''She has actually hurt her back so she has gone to have her back checked. She is absolutely fine. I think she's going to be Ok.'' A source told MailOnline: ''Abi was accompanied to the hospital...
- 10/18/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
The final 12 on this year's X Factor performed live for the first time last night, with some acts faring better than others. Sam Bailey gave 'The Power of Love' plenty of oomph, while Sam Callahan had to make do with compliments about being so gosh-darn handsome after an awkward 'Summer of '69' cover.
But it was Shelley Smith who had the worst night as she fell victim to the first 'Flash Vote' of the series. Will Sharon Osbourne's mission to finally win the show be off to a rocky start, or will her Overs remain intact after lines close and the judges vote?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
21:00So, that's it. The first elimination of The X Factor 2013 is done and...
But it was Shelley Smith who had the worst night as she fell victim to the first 'Flash Vote' of the series. Will Sharon Osbourne's mission to finally win the show be off to a rocky start, or will her Overs remain intact after lines close and the judges vote?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
21:00So, that's it. The first elimination of The X Factor 2013 is done and...
- 10/13/2013
- Digital Spy
The final 12 on this year's X Factor performed live for the first time last night, with some acts faring better than others. Sam Bailey gave 'The Power of Love' plenty of oomph, while Sam Callahan had to make do with compliments about being so gosh-darn handsome after an awkward 'Summer of '69' cover.
But it was Shelley Smith who had the worst night as she fell victim to the first 'Flash Vote' of the series. Will Sharon Osbourne's mission to finally win the show be off to a rocky start, or will her Overs remain intact after lines close and the judges vote?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
21:00So, that's it. The first elimination of The X Factor 2013 is done and...
But it was Shelley Smith who had the worst night as she fell victim to the first 'Flash Vote' of the series. Will Sharon Osbourne's mission to finally win the show be off to a rocky start, or will her Overs remain intact after lines close and the judges vote?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
21:00So, that's it. The first elimination of The X Factor 2013 is done and...
- 10/13/2013
- Digital Spy
X Factor series 10's Live Shows kicked off with an '80s Week theme. Joy Division, Billy Bragg, C86, Metallica and the Beastie Boys were all surprisingly snubbed as song choices in favour of Whitney, Bryan Adams and Phil Collins.
Who would ever accuse The X Factor of being predictable?
The song choices weren't the only predictable thing on Saturday night as the old Louis Walsh book of clichés was wheeled out ("This is the toughest challenge yet", "The word with you is potential", "international stars", "you've got the whole package"), and a bunch of oiled-up backing dancers and various wacky stage antics (lifts, giant boxes, wind machines) masked many a vocal sin.
Even, Dermot's embarrassing dad opening dance routine has been ditched this year. Did he draw the line at twerking? The whole show has been Barlow-fied. No joke acts. No silliness. Even Sharon Osbourne, when she was vaguely coherent,...
Who would ever accuse The X Factor of being predictable?
The song choices weren't the only predictable thing on Saturday night as the old Louis Walsh book of clichés was wheeled out ("This is the toughest challenge yet", "The word with you is potential", "international stars", "you've got the whole package"), and a bunch of oiled-up backing dancers and various wacky stage antics (lifts, giant boxes, wind machines) masked many a vocal sin.
Even, Dermot's embarrassing dad opening dance routine has been ditched this year. Did he draw the line at twerking? The whole show has been Barlow-fied. No joke acts. No silliness. Even Sharon Osbourne, when she was vaguely coherent,...
- 10/13/2013
- Digital Spy
Sam Bailey has topped the first weekly Digital Spy readers' poll of The X Factor 2013.
The 36-year-old prison officer's performance of 'The Power of Love' received 24.69% of the poll, which attracted votes from over 17,000 DS readers.
> 'X Factor' 2013 live show week one: As it happened
Rough Copy's Phil Collins cover came second in the poll with 19.73% of the vote, followed by Tamera Foster's take on 'Ain't Nobody' with 11.24%.
Abi Alton's piano version of Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' took 9.50% to finish fourth, while Kingsland Road's cover of Wham!'s 'I'm Your Man' completed the top five with 8.78%.
Nicholas McDonald came sixth with 7.40%, followed by Hannah Barrett with 6.06% and Lorna Thompson with 3.20%. Sam Callahan finished ninth with 3.01%.
> 'X Factor' '80s week: Our five favourites
Shelley Smith - who is already in the bottom two following last night's flash...
The 36-year-old prison officer's performance of 'The Power of Love' received 24.69% of the poll, which attracted votes from over 17,000 DS readers.
> 'X Factor' 2013 live show week one: As it happened
Rough Copy's Phil Collins cover came second in the poll with 19.73% of the vote, followed by Tamera Foster's take on 'Ain't Nobody' with 11.24%.
Abi Alton's piano version of Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' took 9.50% to finish fourth, while Kingsland Road's cover of Wham!'s 'I'm Your Man' completed the top five with 8.78%.
Nicholas McDonald came sixth with 7.40%, followed by Hannah Barrett with 6.06% and Lorna Thompson with 3.20%. Sam Callahan finished ninth with 3.01%.
> 'X Factor' '80s week: Our five favourites
Shelley Smith - who is already in the bottom two following last night's flash...
- 10/13/2013
- Digital Spy
Four judges, two presenters, 12 performances, one Flash Vote twist, and just one or two ad breaks, The X Factor live shows got to quite a start with 1980s week.
Below we round up our top five performances from the live shows, and invite you to vote for your own favourite in our poll.
Tamera Foster - 'Ain't Nobody'
We're not quite sure what Sharon thinks is so "exotic" about Tamera, but she's assured, sexy and - helped out by the best song of the evening - was the most professional. Less poe-tential, but the most ready-made talent on week one.
Rough Copy - 'In The Air Tonight'
Nicole was convinced that these guys are the best band she's ever seen on The X Factor. At this early stage, we'd pitch them above Bad Lashes and below Miss Frank, but we very much enjoyed their arrangement of a Phil Collins classic,...
Below we round up our top five performances from the live shows, and invite you to vote for your own favourite in our poll.
Tamera Foster - 'Ain't Nobody'
We're not quite sure what Sharon thinks is so "exotic" about Tamera, but she's assured, sexy and - helped out by the best song of the evening - was the most professional. Less poe-tential, but the most ready-made talent on week one.
Rough Copy - 'In The Air Tonight'
Nicole was convinced that these guys are the best band she's ever seen on The X Factor. At this early stage, we'd pitch them above Bad Lashes and below Miss Frank, but we very much enjoyed their arrangement of a Phil Collins classic,...
- 10/12/2013
- Digital Spy
1. Pe-ter Dick-Son!
Abi Alton. Luke Friend. Kingsland Rd. Nobody will ever match Rachel Adedeji will they? Speaking of Rachel Adedeji...
We know it wasn't technically in the Live Shows, but that video never gets old.
2. They gave us Wagner.
Glorious.
3. When they make Dermot dance.
What are the odds that Dermot will be twerking by the end of this year's series?
4. The incredible showmances.
Eggnog Quigglet and The Vickers way back in series 5. I bet The Vickers still has that Vote for Eggnog t-shirt under her pillow.
Harry Styles and Caroline Flack in series 7. A romance for the ages. Very different ages.
That woman who replaced Goldie Cheung. Some guy who was in a rubbish boyband. Yeah, series 8 was a bit rubbish.
Tesco Mary always denied it, but the sexual power of Wagner must surely have been too powerful to resist back in series 7.
5. Genuine moments of joy and happiness.
Abi Alton. Luke Friend. Kingsland Rd. Nobody will ever match Rachel Adedeji will they? Speaking of Rachel Adedeji...
We know it wasn't technically in the Live Shows, but that video never gets old.
2. They gave us Wagner.
Glorious.
3. When they make Dermot dance.
What are the odds that Dermot will be twerking by the end of this year's series?
4. The incredible showmances.
Eggnog Quigglet and The Vickers way back in series 5. I bet The Vickers still has that Vote for Eggnog t-shirt under her pillow.
Harry Styles and Caroline Flack in series 7. A romance for the ages. Very different ages.
That woman who replaced Goldie Cheung. Some guy who was in a rubbish boyband. Yeah, series 8 was a bit rubbish.
Tesco Mary always denied it, but the sexual power of Wagner must surely have been too powerful to resist back in series 7.
5. Genuine moments of joy and happiness.
- 10/12/2013
- Digital Spy
Nicole Scherzinger has defended the floods of tears that her acts wept at X Factor Judges' Houses, insisting that the emotional side of her Girls category was what people loved about them.
Scherzinger has picked Tamera Foster, Hannah Barrett and Abi Alton for the Live Shows and her choices provoked a huge amount of sobbing.
Watch our interview with Nicole Scherzinger and the Girls:
Hannah Barrett confessed that it was likely there would be more crying from her in the competition, describing herself as particularly sensitive.
"I understand that I cry a lot, but when you go in this process, you are emotionally drained. It's so hard and they introduce so many new things and when you want it so bad, you're going to cry," she said.
Scherzinger defended Hannah's tears, commenting: "She's grown up. She's very strong. But isn't this why we love her all the more, because she...
Scherzinger has picked Tamera Foster, Hannah Barrett and Abi Alton for the Live Shows and her choices provoked a huge amount of sobbing.
Watch our interview with Nicole Scherzinger and the Girls:
Hannah Barrett confessed that it was likely there would be more crying from her in the competition, describing herself as particularly sensitive.
"I understand that I cry a lot, but when you go in this process, you are emotionally drained. It's so hard and they introduce so many new things and when you want it so bad, you're going to cry," she said.
Scherzinger defended Hannah's tears, commenting: "She's grown up. She's very strong. But isn't this why we love her all the more, because she...
- 10/11/2013
- Digital Spy
Nicole Scherzinger has claimed that she has the strongest X Factor category this year.
The former Pussycat Doll, who is mentoring the girls, said that her contestants from last year are cheering her on.
She said of her group, which includes Hannah Barrett, Tamera Foster and Abi Alton: "I have the strongest category I feel. I've got the best right here, so I'm coming in with some good contenders."
Of her previous acts, including 2012 winner James Arthur and runner-up Jahmene Douglas, she revealed: "All of the Scherzy boys are supporting my Scherzy girls, they've all told me."
The singer added to MTV that she has an idea of what the X Factor contestants have to go through.
"I am a girl, I've gone through a similar audition process before, I'm a popstar, so I know some of the fears that go along with it."
The judge recently told Digital...
The former Pussycat Doll, who is mentoring the girls, said that her contestants from last year are cheering her on.
She said of her group, which includes Hannah Barrett, Tamera Foster and Abi Alton: "I have the strongest category I feel. I've got the best right here, so I'm coming in with some good contenders."
Of her previous acts, including 2012 winner James Arthur and runner-up Jahmene Douglas, she revealed: "All of the Scherzy boys are supporting my Scherzy girls, they've all told me."
The singer added to MTV that she has an idea of what the X Factor contestants have to go through.
"I am a girl, I've gone through a similar audition process before, I'm a popstar, so I know some of the fears that go along with it."
The judge recently told Digital...
- 10/9/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor Final 12 have moved into their luxury house for the live shows.
The contestants have been getting to know each other in a £5m London mansion formerly owned by Lionel Richie, which will be their home for the remainder of their time in the competition.
Pictures released from the house show the boys of Kingsland Road battling each other on a ping pong table, while Nicole Scherzinger's girls Abi Alton, Hannah Barrett and Tamera Foster lounge by the pool.
However, the contestants will reportedly be banned from taking a dip due to health and safety reasons.
The nine-bedroom house also features a music room so that acts will be able to perfect their performances before each weekend.
X Factor producers decided against letting contestants stay in a hotel this year after the 2012 group caused chaos while living in London's five-star Corinthia.
The first X Factor live show,...
The contestants have been getting to know each other in a £5m London mansion formerly owned by Lionel Richie, which will be their home for the remainder of their time in the competition.
Pictures released from the house show the boys of Kingsland Road battling each other on a ping pong table, while Nicole Scherzinger's girls Abi Alton, Hannah Barrett and Tamera Foster lounge by the pool.
However, the contestants will reportedly be banned from taking a dip due to health and safety reasons.
The nine-bedroom house also features a music room so that acts will be able to perfect their performances before each weekend.
X Factor producers decided against letting contestants stay in a hotel this year after the 2012 group caused chaos while living in London's five-star Corinthia.
The first X Factor live show,...
- 10/7/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor winner James Arthur has backed Hannah Barrett to win this year's series.
He praised Barrett's 'soulful' vocal following her success on tonight's (October 6) episode of the ITV series.
He tweeted: "Hannah has to win this year for me. That is what you call soul! Take note on how to believe in what your singin from this girl!"
Barrett was joined by Abi Alton and Tamera Foster in Nicole Scherzinger's final three and will perform on next Saturday's first Live Show.
Her performance of 'A Change Is Gonna Come' impressed Scherzinger and guest mentor Mary J Blige.
Scherzinger told the 17-year-old: "Hannah, I have believed in you from the moment that I saw you from your first audition. When you sing you're a star. You are a star so I want you to come to the Live Shows."
Meanwhile, Tamera Foster is the early favourite to win...
He praised Barrett's 'soulful' vocal following her success on tonight's (October 6) episode of the ITV series.
He tweeted: "Hannah has to win this year for me. That is what you call soul! Take note on how to believe in what your singin from this girl!"
Barrett was joined by Abi Alton and Tamera Foster in Nicole Scherzinger's final three and will perform on next Saturday's first Live Show.
Her performance of 'A Change Is Gonna Come' impressed Scherzinger and guest mentor Mary J Blige.
Scherzinger told the 17-year-old: "Hannah, I have believed in you from the moment that I saw you from your first audition. When you sing you're a star. You are a star so I want you to come to the Live Shows."
Meanwhile, Tamera Foster is the early favourite to win...
- 10/6/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor's Tamera Foster has been revealed as the early favourite to win the series.
The 16-year-old - who was selected as one of Nicole Scherzinger's final three this evening (October 6) - is currently 9/4 favourite to take this year's crown with bookmakers William Hill.
Louis Walsh's contestant Nicholas McDonald is 4/1 second favourite, while Abi Alton follows with odds of 6/1.
Sam Bailey appears to be the most likely Over 25 to triumph this year at 13/2 and Hannah Barrett and Sam Callahan follow at 9/1 and 12/1 respectively.
Kingsland Road and Miss Dynamix are seen as the most likely of Gary Barlow's groups to win, both with odds of 14/1. Meanwhile, Luke Friend and Rough Copy are at 20/1.
Sharon Osbourne's Lorna Simpson and Shelley Smith are currently seen as outsiders after securing their places in the Top 12 this weekend. Simpson has odds of 25/1 and Smith is further adrift at 50/1.
The X Factor...
The 16-year-old - who was selected as one of Nicole Scherzinger's final three this evening (October 6) - is currently 9/4 favourite to take this year's crown with bookmakers William Hill.
Louis Walsh's contestant Nicholas McDonald is 4/1 second favourite, while Abi Alton follows with odds of 6/1.
Sam Bailey appears to be the most likely Over 25 to triumph this year at 13/2 and Hannah Barrett and Sam Callahan follow at 9/1 and 12/1 respectively.
Kingsland Road and Miss Dynamix are seen as the most likely of Gary Barlow's groups to win, both with odds of 14/1. Meanwhile, Luke Friend and Rough Copy are at 20/1.
Sharon Osbourne's Lorna Simpson and Shelley Smith are currently seen as outsiders after securing their places in the Top 12 this weekend. Simpson has odds of 25/1 and Smith is further adrift at 50/1.
The X Factor...
- 10/6/2013
- Digital Spy
The final six acts to make it through to the X Factor 2013 Live Shows were revealed tonight (October 6).
Gary Barlow selected his acts in the Groups category with the help of Olly Murs in New York, while Nicole Scherzinger joined up with Mary J Blige in Antigua to choose the successful Girls.
Digital Spy presents a guide to the final six acts to make the Live Shows.
Girls
Abi Alton
19-year-old Morrison's employee Abi has previously had experience doing small gigs at local venues in Guisborough. She is friends with last year's winner James Arthur after performing together, as they both live in the same area and have played local gigs. She writes her own music, and plays the piano and guitar.
She impressed the judges at the arena auditions with her self-written piano ballad about a personal heartbreak. She has since reunited with her ex-boyfriend whom the song was written after.
Gary Barlow selected his acts in the Groups category with the help of Olly Murs in New York, while Nicole Scherzinger joined up with Mary J Blige in Antigua to choose the successful Girls.
Digital Spy presents a guide to the final six acts to make the Live Shows.
Girls
Abi Alton
19-year-old Morrison's employee Abi has previously had experience doing small gigs at local venues in Guisborough. She is friends with last year's winner James Arthur after performing together, as they both live in the same area and have played local gigs. She writes her own music, and plays the piano and guitar.
She impressed the judges at the arena auditions with her self-written piano ballad about a personal heartbreak. She has since reunited with her ex-boyfriend whom the song was written after.
- 10/6/2013
- Digital Spy
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