Talented seventeen year old Jordin Sparks has become the youngest ever American Idol winner after beating beatbox singer Blake Lewis.

Lewis said he did not mind coming second. “I picked Jordin Sparks at the top 24 as the American Idol winner,” he said.

“I was actually going to try to wear a Vote for Jordan Sparks T-shirt last night, but they wouldn’t let me.”

There was a shock for viewers of last nights smash hit American idol results show, as for the first time in AI history NO ONE was voted off.

After the charity themed show, the night before, Ryan Seacrest declared:

“All your favorites are still in the competition. How could we let anyone go on a charity night?”

However, all votes cast will be carried forward to next week, when two contestants will leave the show.

Hugh Grant has been lined up to appear in a charity edition of American Idol along with a host of other Hollywood A Listrers.

The money raised bgy the show will be donated to The Hurricane Katrina Fund and to Africa.

Hugh will be appearing alongside, Forest Whitaker, Helena Bonham Carter and Daniel Radcliffe and singers such as Gwen Stefani and Pink.

Friends and family of music mogul, Simon Cowell have revealed that he has become so in demand that his feet “barely touch the ground.” They are concerned that he is heading for a major burnout.

Cowell is currently working on the X Factor 2007, American Idol and has a large hand in the development of ITV’s Grease Is The Word and Britain’s Got Talent.

One friend told The Daily Star: “Everyone knows Simon’s incredibly talented and that he’s got to make the most of those talents.

“But he just seems to be doing so much that you do worry he could easily burn out. Maybe he just needs to ease off a bit.

“There’s some real worry that he’s pushing himself too hard.”

Bad enough that Simon Cowell has vowed to quit American Idol if Sanjaya Malakar wins. But in addition there is now a MySpacer who claims to be on her ninth day of a hunger strike protest aimed at ending the Idol’s run at the title.

Only in America!

American Idol judge, Randy Jackson has admitted to The Sun today that he has been asked to replace Louis Walsh as a judge in this years X Factor series.

The record producer and former singer confessed: “I’d love to do it. I can’t wait to come to London. It will be a fantastic opportunity.”

Randy, who is currently discussing terms with Cowell in LA, said: “I love working with Simon. We’re great friends.”

I think Simon has gotten this one just right. Randy is great on American Idol, honest without being brutal and he has a fantastic sense of humour. Great choice…now who will number four be?

Just a note, but does anyone else find Cat Deeley a bit creepy on American Idol?

I find myself cringing every time I watch her interview a contestant. She comes across as pretty awkward and the interviews are uncomfortable.

What I’m trying to say is that she might not be a frontrunner for the next series of X Factor. There’s got to be better presenters out there. And why are they using a British presenter specifically for British TV?

Sooo……we’ve been watching American Idol for the last couple of weeks on ITV2. I’m still not sure who all the contestants are, but singing contests are my favourite type of reality TV.

Tonight’s episode was “Diana Ross night”, where our struggling artists had to pretend to respect the creepy soul legend, and then sing some of her songs, despite probably never hearing them before….I hate that! If I was a contestant, I’d want to say “Nice to meet you Ms Ross, but your music means nothing to me….”

Anyhoo, it’s time Unreality TV came up with some of our own words for reality TV things. Let’s start with

Cowell-ized

Cowell-ized is when Simon hates your performance, when he destroys you after your performance. At first, you won’t know if he’s going to praise you or slate you, then he drops major crap on your performance, making you wish you’d been booted out weeks ago. Or hoping you’d been…

Cowell-licked

Oh yes, this is when Simon loves you. Even when he overlooks your obvious lack of talent compared with your marketable good looks and your fine figure. Cowell-licked is when you get better compliments despite being the weakest act on the night!

Let’s try and remember this for the next series of X Factor!

Part 1
This week on American Idol four more contestants will be sent home, two boys and two girls. In this first part of the show the boys step forward to prove to Simon, Randy and Paula that they have what it takes to earn themselves a place in the final twelve. Each boy will have to just one chance impress, so wrong notes, fluffed lyrics or a bad stage presence will be sure to count against them and will certainly decide the fate of the two being sent home.

Part 2
In the second part of this week’s American Idol it’s now the girls turn to take centre stage. They’ve watched the boys perform earlier and have witnessed how ruthless the judges can be. Like the boys they only have one chance to impress Simon, Randy and Paula. Any mistakes could cost them a place in the final twelve, so knowing that two contestants are going to be sent home will make sure the girls really feel the pressure.

Part 3
After their nerve-racking performances earlier in the week it’s now judgement time, and the stress shows no sign of disappearing until the judges have given their verdict. Expect variety of emotions on display; for as eight contestants there will be elation, jubilation and relief. But the remaining four contestants will face their worst nightmare, being sent home from American Idol. Expect tears and tantrums as dreams of pop superstardom are crushed.

ITV2 Friday 2 March 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM

Each one of the Final 24 contestants potentially has a whole journey ahead, perhaps to the final of the show.

The carefully selected and talented individuals with stars in their eyes will now have to prove to Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul that they have what it takes to make it all the way.

With only one song each to impress the judges, tonight will see two boys and two girls packing their bags and sent home. The twenty remaining contestants move one step closer to realising their dreams.

ITV2 Friday 23 February 8:30 PM to 1:30 AM

Sources close to American Idol judge Paula Abdul have hit back at media claims that Paula was drunk or on behaviour altering medication during interviews last week.

Paula’s spokesman, Jeff Ballard, insisted the odd behaviour was a result of tiredness:

“She was exhausted. This was at the end of three days of press (interviews and appearances), and she has had cameras following her around for a reality TV show too.

“She was sitting in a room with just a camera and a mic on, and the controllers dropped the sound twice, which is why she rolled her eyes…

“She never drinks. I have known Paula Abdul since she was 13, and I have never seen her drink ever in my life. And no, she is not on any kind of medication. She was a little tired.”

Question: Who’s version of A Moment Like This is better? Kelly Clarkson’s version from American Idol or Leona Lewis’ X Factor finale?

To help you along, I’m going to let you compare them side-by-side. Check out Kelly’s original (which I’d never seen before):

And you’ve probably all seen Leona Lewis’ version of the song by now:

Kelly Clarkson’s is a much more straightforward delivery, and her singing style is more rock-oriented. Leona’s on the other hand is much more tender and has a more powerful conclusion.

To be honest, I can’t call it. Who do you think is best?

Seven cities, tens of thousands of hopeful singers, one tremendous show. Another round of auditions have been completed and the wheels are in motion for American Idol 6 when it returns to ITV2 this January.

Los Angeles, San Antonio, East Rutherford, Birmingham, Memphis, Minneapolis and Seattle. In each city thousands and thousands of hopeful superstars turned out and endured long queues for their one shot at becoming the next American Idol. Some were met with quick success. Others were sent packing, their dreams dashed early on.

12 American Idol wannabes have set their dreams on making the big time. Tune into American Idol 6, exclusively on ITV2 this winter to join our celebrity judges, Mr Nasty Simon Cowell, sharp-tongued Paula Abdul and peacekeeper Randy Jackson. Follow the aspiring singers, who have already been whittled down from 70,000 hopefuls, being eliminated one by one until the highly anticipated Grand Final only on ITV2 in April.

Tune in to the live shows as the final contestants sing their hearts out to different theme shows each week, for the coveted title. Who impresses the judges and who buckles under the pressure? Will Simon’s favourite contestant walk away with the top prize? Who will take their place next to Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia, Carrie and Taylor to become the sixth American Idol?

Katharine McPhee might be a wonderful woman, but is she a Wonder Woman? Reportedly, Katharine is being considered for the part in Joss Whedon’s live action film of the comic book superhero. Very exciting news for McPhee, but can she act, let alone pull off the role? Well if she puts her heart and soul into, who knows? But is her heart into it? Apparently she has made it known she is not thrilled to do a superhero movie. Perhaps she should stick to singing, I’m sure everyone will be happier all ways around. Thanks to: http://www.rottentomatoes.com & http://filmforce.ign.com

Would you think Clay Aiken would have a problem singing in front of a live audience? If you said no, you’d be correct. Ironically, he does have a problem when entering a room with many people. According to Clay, “I’d walk into a room and say to myself, ‘I am not going to have a problem when these people stare at me.’ But then… my heart would start pumping and I’d start sweating and looking around nervously and shaking. “I felt like I was going to have a heart attack.” Being prescribed anti-anxiety medicine does help the singer out however. What a relief, what a waste if he were to give up his career because he couldn’t handle the fame. Thanks to: http://www.contactmusic.com

Idol favorite Chris Daughtry has a new album due out in November. But success may be more than he can deal with. Realization has set in on the ‘American Idol’ tour he does not get to see his wife and children as often as he’d like to. “I feel like I’m going to have to learn how to be a dad and husband all over again once I get home. Honestly, it’s a lot harder than I expected it to be.” So what does this mean in the future? I suppose we’ll find out when he does after his first album is released. Thanks to: http://www.cbsnews.com

THE X FACTOR’s guest judge Paula Abdul is putting herself up for auction to raise money for charity.

The starting price for a VIP date with twice-divorced Paula, 44, is $25,000 on eBay and the auction ends on September 24.

Paula is offering two first class plane tickets, shopping trip on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills and the chance to watch a recording of the US TV talent show.

The proceeds will be donated to help Multiple Sclerosis sufferers.

So far there are no bids. How embarrassing it would be if no one bid on Paula. I would certainly pay to see the look on her face!