I've managed to avoid it so far but thought I would watch tonight. All I can say is what unmitigated shite!

Luckily I missed it, but the ghost like runner-up in the paper this morning scared me in many ways.
Destined to be a Phantom of the Opera, of course eventually and for many years.

Well little Leon is the latest no talent to follow Gareth Who and Michelle Wot in the X Factor contest to find the new Steve Wherestein.

Well done Leon.

Leon has a good voice but the finals highlighted his weaknesses, whereas Rhydian gave a spotless performance every time. I think, in the long term, Rhydian was the real winner here because I've no doubt somebody was already in the wings ready to sign him. Leon will have the usual X-Factor Hit and then struggle to survive against the harsh competition once he's been cut loose.

I did have my suspicion that Rhydian wasn't going to win when I saw something in Simon Cowell's expression as he said to Rhydian "If this is the last time we hear you sing." There seemed to be something behind the words, but that was probably just the impression I got. I still recall last year when an ITV exec referred to releasing Leona's X Factor single a week before the final. I wonder if they really do choose the winner in advance. Or am I being too cynical?

But, that said, I do wish Leon every success.

By the way, did you notice the OOOPS slip by Simon ("I don't want bloody Rhydian to win; at least Leon might just become a teen idol and sell records") Cowell when he called Rhydian LEON and then (NOOO don't refer to it!!!) went "Freudian slip" (interpret that as "Oh God now they will think it's a FIX").

Anyone think it might have mirrored the Will Young/Gareth Gates incident ("we're not letting that happen again")?

FIX? FIX? FIX?

And come to think of it - Simon - aware of the dodgy economics of music sales these days - is clearly saving on graphics - he can use all LEONA's artwork, just removing the A.

JK2006 wrote:
And come to think of it - Simon - aware of the dodgy economics of music sales these days - is clearly saving on graphics - he can use all LEONA's artwork, just removing the A.

Nice one, JK. Do you think if I take part next year under the name of Leo, I might stand a chance??

I haven't really bothered with this years X Factor. The best bit last night was the toe-curling performance of "One moment in time" by the failed auditionees. You can't tell me that wasn't entertainment!

In fact, since the BBC will no doubt fail to find a decent song for the Eurovision again ,they should try sending six of them to do a song. Trust me, it would pick up more votes than the last few UK entries.

Anthony wrote:
The best bit last night was the toe-curling performance of "One moment in time" by the failed auditionees. You can't tell me that wasn't entertainment!
I particularly liked the ones who sang their line as if they still really thought they'd got it, that somehow they'd been miss judged and that one line was another chance to prove to the world how wonderful they really are, that this would get them noticed, it'd be their huge break, finally, God knows they deserve it and have practiced twice as hard since their rejection.

That's probably what the producers told them to get them back on the show again anyway.

Kept an eye on X Factor, but never really was interested. Strictly Come Dancing is far superior.

Firstly Simon Cowell is the only one who actually said something interesting, secondly the acts were very second rate (barring Rhydian) and thirdly it is very old-hat and I suspect that it could be the last series. Wasn't the Xmas song dreadful.

I read with interest at the weekend that a lot of websites are trying to stop Leon's song going to No 1, one is encouraging people to download Pogues/Kirstly McColl - Fairytale of New York.

I think people are sick of the Xmas No 1 being predictable, as it has been since 2003, when Gary Jules and The Darkness fought it out for the spot.

I hope it works.

As we said, something fishy went on at the X Factor final... hundreds of listeners are complaining Rhydian's lines and votes were not going through.

Simon wanted another teen idol like Gggggareth Gggggates.

JK2006 wrote:
As we said, something fishy went on at the X Factor final... hundreds of listeners are complaining Rhydian's lines and votes were not going through.

Simon wanted another teen idol like Gggggareth Gggggates.

i agree. and I was reading in Guardian media today a review of the year/phone voting scandals etc etc and it mentioned X Factor had never been investigated! One has to ask the question 'WHY NOT?!'

A modest proposal to shake things up and bring back excitement to X-Factor 2008: get Malcolm McLaren on the judging panel.

Call me a cynic (Cynic!)but look at the alternatives...

Rhydian wins, he gets Xmas No.1 and eventually releases a best selling album and a career whilst Leon disappears without a trace as he came second.

Or

Leon wins, he gets Xmas No.1 and shortly after releases a medium selling album and disappears, whilst Rhydian eventually releases a best selling album!

This way Simon gets the most money!!

In the AOL poll so far 55% say Rhydian should have won, while only 27% say Leon.

Not sure what that proves, but it's interesting.

My thoughts exactly.
Although I don't think it's about money with SC anymore - let's face it he doesn't need more.... It's now the power thing unfortunately for the rest of us.

AOL polls are notoriously hackable. And AOL users are notoriously thick

Just as people can vote several times for the same person on X Factor. Nothing is concrete.

I didn't vote in the X Factor. I've always believed that the winner is decided well before the final.