What on earth are they doing allowing 14 year old Luke on it?

He clearly has no talent and cannot cope with rejection. They should have dumped him in early auditions and never allowed him on TV.

Now they keep putting him through. The final, inevitable exit will probably provoke suicide.

Are our TV executives mad?

I think he'll cope. He's a bit over emotional but I don't see signs of real stress or any genuine danger of him topping himself if rejected. It's interesting that he cried more once he knew he'd been put through. He's no worse than the older kid last year who was such an extreme wreck he didn't even manage to finish one song.

I disagree that Luke has no talent. He sang Maggie May quite well, even if Simon didn't like the arrangement. Lots of work to do with him before he's ready for the big time, and I don't think he'll win the X Factor, but I do hope someone takes him under their wing and helps nurture his potential.

My favourite part of the whole series so far, though, has to be when Simon was about to reject Rhydian, the classicly trained baritone, saying to him, "What are you going to do if you're asked to perform Dancing Queen by Abba?" to which Rhydian responds by launching into a surprisingly good rendition of said song.

Unfortunately, now that the auditions are over, we are moving into the boring part which tends to drag on forever. Not sure I'll stay the course.

The problem with X factor, is that the auditions are the fun part. Then the boot camp is entertaining with the look on the mentors faces when they discover who they will have (Simon was not impressed he got the groups).

Finally its the ten week run to decide who wins and I'm afraid that's when the judges take over with pantomine banter to promote the show. I can predict that Louis and Simon will fall out and Sharon and Danni will fall out as well, which is all for the good of TV especially if half the acts are as bland as they come (did not believe for a second that Louis was ever sacked but was great publicity for the launch).

Unfortunately at the end of the competition, we know that the act will get the Xmas No 1, then after that they will be given a load of boring songs, which does not help the music industry whatsoever. Although Simon etc.. seems to be changing the trend with Leona Lewis as her new song is quite good. Sometimes after an initial impact, a break to get an album and decent songs work.

Having said that, I think X factor is a good show, but I generally do not like the standard of music which coms out from it.

Agree with JK about Luke, we will not win and is too much pressure for a 14 year old.

It`s a dreadful pressure to install on a 14 year old would be or ,maybe even wouldn`t be in a 1000 years performer.
Whatever happens, he is already branded with "X-Factor" in big red letters.
I have met and worked with many that were on it, winners or not, I have no idea I rarely watch it, the main disadvantage seems to be caused by the very leg up they were given in the first place.

How does an artist(of any age) come in at Premier league level, slip up, and start from the lower divisions to regain that former elevated status?

Enough to make a milkmans` apprentice heart ache if he fails to get his own daily round after the freedom of his own little notebook.