Tonights show was amazing, with most of the contestants performing brilliantly. I found it really hard to compile tonights chart. I really loved some of the acts that have ended up in the middle and nearer the end of the list, but the top three were just phenomenal tonight and in a league of their own!

1. Maria Lawson: When I heard Maria was tackling this song (Take Another Little Piece of My Heart) I wondered if she could pull it off, but tonight Maria was phenomenal! I thought she performed with spirit and soul and really made me believe that she meant every word she sang. She started the performance with such gusto and just got better and better.
2. Andy Abraham: As Simon said Andy’s performance was smooth and authentic. His vocals were like velvet and a joy to listen too. He looked like he belonged on the stage and was 100% comfortable with his song choice this week.
3. Brenda Edwards: The mother of two shone once more tonight. Singing the Gladys Knight classic ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ as if it was written for her, Brenda wowed the judges tonight and is winning Simon over more and more as each week passes. She also looked a million dollars in her pinstriped waistcoat and trousers, she has completely transformed from when we saw her in her first audition.
4. Journey South: Each week the boys from Journey South move further and further away from the pubs and clubs act that we saw at the beginning of the competition. They sang U2′s Angel of Harlem brilliantly, and are looking more and more at ease on stage each week.
5. Nicholas Dorsett: I thought Nicholas’ performance this week was excellent for such a young singer. He has a fantastic voice and shows no sign of nervousness on stage. I think however he lacks the wow factor of some of the older performers though I expect that would come with more performing experience.
6. The Conway Sisters: I thought the power ballad ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ would be too much for them and a bit too cheesy. I was wrong about the cheesiness. They performed this song well and it wasn’t as karaoke like as I’d expected. However as Simon said, the vocals were weak at parts in the middle of the song and though it was a good performance they will have to up their efforts if they want to survive against the likes of Brenda and Maria.
7. Chico Slimani: Sharon said it was as if this song was written for Chico and she was right. His vocals were weak and the song was at risk of being a bit cliched but Chico pulled the whole thing off. He has plenty of stage presence and is certainly entertaining. He isn’t the best singer, but he certainly livens things up!
8. Chenai Zinyuku: I felt like Chenai meant every word of Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero’ tonight and her performance had plenty of passion and soul. But Simon was right to point out that there were some bum notes and the performance for me wasn’t spectacular.
9. Shayne Ward: I love Shayne and think he has a great chance of winning the X Factor but from the minute I heard he was doing this song (Summer of 69) I knew he was in trouble! It’s just too rocky for him and his voice isn’t gruff or gravelly enough. Louios should have let him do the Darkness song that he preferred. It wasn’t a bad performance, he was in tune, but it seeemd a bit empty and cold. He needs to work hard next week to find a song that really showcases his talent.
10. Phillip Magee: I actually really like Phillip, he has such a nice nature and seems to be a genuinely nice fella with a cheeky smile. Phillip was 100 times better this week than last. His performance of ‘Johnny Be Good’ was much more confident than any of his previous songs. But I still just don’t think he can compare with the other 9 acts. I will be surprised if he makes it through the next 2 weeks.

So do you agree with our choices, let us know by leaving a comment on this post or check out the X Factor Chart thread on our forum. We’d love to hear from you avid fans!