It would seem that even though X factor producers have issued a ban on nookie, some contestants just can’t control themselves!

Liz Ewing from The Unconventionals has revealed that young Nikitta Angus is being pursued by both Ashley McKenzie and Jermaine from 4Sure.

“Nikitta’s been holding hands with Ashley, but Jermaine is just as interested. It’s a proper love triangle,� said Liz.

Last year we did a chart after each episode of X Factor with our take on the performers and what we thought. So, welcome to the very first X Factor chart for 2006!

Now, bear in mind I don’t have Tabby here tonight to talk me down, so I may be wrong. I’ve you’ve got better suggestions for the chart, leave them in the comments or jump to the forum for X-tra chat!

1. Ben Mills - As I said, Ben is possibly the most developed artist in the competition. He’s got the look and definitely the voice. Tonight he played a blinder, despite the material being miles away from his comfort zone. I’m backing Ben!
2. Nikitta Angus - Nikitta looked like she was enjoying herself, sang well and looked cute. I thought she was a great entertainer and the best of the females tonight.
3. Dionne Mitchell - Dionne put in a wonderful performance tonight and showed her potential for later stages of X Factor. For such a nervous person, you couldn’t tell it when she got up on stage!
4. Leona Lewis - Another strong singer. I don’t think she was a Mariah mimic as some said - her performance was closer to the original that Carey’s terrible warbling. Liked her.
5. Kerry McGregor - Again, I disagree with the judges here. Kerry put in a great performance and looked stunning this evening. I had my doubts about her ability to perform, but she had no problems at all. Maybe the song was a bit safe, but that’s not going to stop her.
6. Ashley McKenzie - I was slightly disappointed by Ashley’s performance tonight. Although he had confidence and good stage presence, his singing wasn’t up to scratch.
7. The McDonald Brothers - Despite a good performance, the McDonald Brothers were less than impressive. They could get better though - Louis thinks they’re this year’s Journey South.
8. The Unconventionals - Unconvincing. Another group with great potential forced into mediocrity by Master Walsh. As Simon Cowell commented, it was a mess - everybody singing at once. These guys are capable of so much more!
9. 4Sure - I’ve no doubt they’re a great bunch of lads, but they did nothing exciting tonight. Another blogger likened them to Boyz II Men, but the gist is they’re in danger of becoming forgettable unless they do something to distinguish themselves soon!
10. Robert Allen - While I thought Robert performed well, I noticed in the playback that I couldn’t actually make out what he was singing. His diction is quite bad.
11. Eton Road - The camp one looks like an extra from The Munsters, and the band is as bland as…well, anything else Louis Walsh has a hand in. He’s taken a fairly unique group and turned them into production-line pop. Rubbish.
12. Ray Quinn - What can I say? It’s the X Factor, not the pretty-boy factor. Ray can only grin his way through so many mediocre performances.

So, that’s my opinion. I’m staring at the wrong end of a bottle of red wine, so forgive any inconsistencies in my post!

Ashley McKenzie - Easy

Looks like Ashley got the pick of the bunch: Easy by The Commodores. Ashley’s got a great look, and comes across well on stage, and he had a great song to top it all off. Some of the Motown tunes that others sang tonight were obscure.

Louis’ comment was that he was glad Simon picked him and “you’re difinitely one to watch”. Sharon said “you’re just a little bit individual” and Simon wasn’t completely impressed but said “you brought your own version to the song….you brough charisma and star quality…thank God you’re in the show”.

My verdict: Looked better than it sounded, but he’s streets ahead of fellow group member Ray Quinn. Ashley needs to raise the bar because he won’t coast along on his looks for long!

Kerry McGregor - You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

I’ve never seen anyone perform on stage in a wheelchair before, so I didn’t quite know what to expect. But when Kerry took the stage, she looked stunning and sang beautifully. She sounded so professional and managed to perform the song without letting the chair get in the way.

Louis “you deserve to be on stage because of your vocal talent….I’d like you to be challenged a bit more”. Sharon agreed but said that she “did just fine tonight”. Simon was less impressed, describing her as forgettable with a “horrible song and a horrible arrangement”.

My verdict: Like a lot of the acts, Kerry has fallen victim of tonight’s Motown theme. For my money, she sang beautifully, but again some of those tunes are unfamiliar to people and maybe not as popular.

16 - 24’s

Ashley - Easy - Lionel Richie

Ray - Ben - Michael Jackson

Leona - I’ll Be There - Jackson 5

Nikitta - Heaven Must Of Sent You - The Elgins

Over 24’s

Ben - Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson

Dionne - I’m Gonna Make You Love Me - Diana Ross & The Supremes

Kerry - You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder

Rob - All Night Long - Lionel Richie

Groups

4Sure - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin

The Unconventionals - Dancing In The Streets -Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

MacDonald Brothers - Three Times A Lady - Lionel Ritchie and the Commodores

Eton Road - My Girl - The Temptations

This article was written by Jan, our newest contributor at Unreality TV. Check out Jan’s own X Factor journal here.

Sometimes I wonder if Simon Cowell is on a different planet to me. Not very often - but definitely after his decision to send Gemma home, and not include her in his final 4.

Okay, so it didn’t help that we only saw them sing one song (when they actually sang two) - but Ray has already shown he can’t hack it when put under pressure. Perhaps Simon believes that Ray will be bringing along his Brooky Fan Base?
I hope Simon doesn’t live to regret the decision.

I also hope that Ashley doesn’t have any more fallings out with his mentor. This guy has such an unusual voice, but can be a .. shall we say tad arrogant? I also hoped that Carlo would go through. Why didn’t we hear more of his voice throughout the audition/bootcamp sections? He was melodious and tuneful, and damn easy on the eye (obviously one of my main criteria) - I hope he comes back and tries again next year.

Sharon was another one who surprised me. Jonathan has never really lived up to his Audition promise: he bombed at bootcamp, and his rendition of Maroon 5’s ‘This Love’ was strained and awful. But.. he had bucketloads of charisma, and I really felt that Sharon would keep him in. I’m glad she didn’t - I think Dionne has much more to offer, and I’m looking forward to seeing her in the Live Shows.

Now, Robert and Ben….. ahhhh I love them both. Robert is just so full of enthusiasm, has a great voice. And Ben is so not your average X Factor contestant. That could play against him, but I have only seen good things said about him. I’d hope to see both of them go a long way in this competition.

As for Louis.. Louis, Louis, whyyyyy did you have to send Pure Liberty home? These girls were bubbly and bouncy, and filled your heart with laughter. They would have done well, I think. I’m glad he didn’t go for the Half Brothers as they were definitely missing the darker twosome from the line up, and didn’t really bring any depth to their performance. 4Sure leave me cold (I don’t know why - they’re polished and look good, but they don’t move me in any way), The Unconventionals may be too weird for the target audience, and with his red hot favourites disqualified, Eton Road may have to be his saving grace. I just hope they can pick themselves up from the emotional rollercoaster of the last few weeks.

Simon Cowell has n’t spoken to his four X Factor acts since telling them they were in his final four last month.

Leona Lewis, 21, said: “The last time we saw Simon was in Miami. We haven’t seen him for three weeks.”

Ashley McKenzie, 20, added: “I’ve seen him in the paper. He’s a busy man.”

Cowell has stayed in the US working on American Idol since the final audition of his under-25s.

At the same time, fellow judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne have given their acts presents and posh dinners.

All contestants are living in a house in North London under strict rules.

Cowell’s group had to watch in envy as Sharon’s over-25 contestants were driven off to dine at her Buckinghamshire home.

Rocker Ben Mills, 26, said: “I think they were jealous. It came at a stage we all really wanted to get out.”

Louis Walsh has been working closely with his groups, discussing what songs his acts want to sing and helping to ease their nerves.

He even sent 37-year-old Liz Ewing, from band The Unconventionals, to Harrods with cash to buy her a present for her four-year-old daughter Jasmin.

Instead of the usual stories of ‘management connections’, we now have X factor contestants who have famous relatives too. One even has a connection with a very famous Liverpudlian - one of the Beatles -George Harrison. According to one newspaper, Daniel Morris, of Liverpool band Eton Road, is distantly related to George on his grandmother’s side. How distant I don’t know, but I would be more than happy to be classed as ‘distantly related’ to one of the Beatles myself!

And there are more of them too! Jermaine Sanderson of boyband 4Sure in Louis groups category, is the nephew of famous Olympic athlete Tessa Sanderson. And Ashley, the guy with the fabby mad hair who is in Simons 16 - 24’s category, is the nephew of two boxers and a footballer!

This article was written by Jan, our newest contributor at Unreality TV. Check out Jan’s own X Factor journal here.

Name: Ashley McKenzie

Age: 20

From: Croydon

Occupation: Unemployed

The Story So Far…

* Ashley auditioned in Bristol singing ‘Ribbon in the Sky’ by Stevie Wonder and ‘Holding Back The Years’ by Simply Red. Simon thought he was brilliant with a great style. Sharon said “you’re the second person I’ll remember today� and Louis said “great voice, we’ll remember you.�
* On the first day of Bootcamp, Ashley decided the song that could possibly get him a number one would be ‘Be My Baby’ by The Ronettes. Simon said “I feel like I’ve backed a horse that won’t go the distance, I really thought if anyone could do it, he could. His phrasing was so bad.�
* For the final task of Bootcamp, Ashley opted to sing ‘Beautiful’ by James Blunt. Simon said “thank you God, this guy is really really good, when he’s good he’s good, when he’s bad…�
* At Simon’s Judges House Ashley sang ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’ by George Michael and ‘All In Love Is Fair’ by Stevie Wonder.
* In the deliberation Simon said “He’s cocky, unreliable and all over the place. I worry about his reliability will he perform in the live shows?� Sinitta said “I love him. We should take a chance on him.�

History

* Ashley is one of five children. He has two brothers David and Rory, and two sisters Leah and Ella.
* Ashley has been singing all his life, but not professionally.
* Ashley is also very interested in gymnastics and has won many awards for his skills.
* He has done modelling work for Storm and Topman in the past.

What would winning The X Factor mean to you?

“Winning would mean a lot to me! In fact it would mean everything because it’s the start of the beginning and it would mean the world. If I won I would buy the family a new home – a really big house.�

Are you looking forward to moving to London?

“I’m looking forward to living with everyone because over the last couple of months I have made really good friends with the people in my category and I’m really looking forward to meeting the rest of the acts. I’m also looking forward to the vocal training, in fact the whole thing, I just can’t wait. To live on my own without my Mum as well will be a great experience as I’ve never lived away from home before. But I’ll miss my family and my Mum’s food.�

Do you come from a musical family?

“My family is quite a big boxing and football family. My cousin plays for Crystal Palace and my Uncle Clinton is a boxing champ . I won a gymnastics trophy in 2000. It’s the first award I actually won and it was a huge plate. I was over the moon because it was something that I really loved doing.�

Where did you go to school and what were your favourite subjects?

Ashley went to the Archbishop of Lam Frank in Croydon where his best subject was art. He went on to do a GNVQ in Art Design. But he says “education’s just not for me. I hated school. I think some people are academic and some people are more creative.�

What are your musical influences?

“My musical influences are varied. When I was young I used to listen to what my sister listened to back in the day like Grease, Dirty Dancing, old school R & B, a bit of everything. From my Mum’s music I learnt to appreciate Reggae, Queen, and retro music through to my taste Little Mo, Amy Winehouse, Beyonce and Stevie Wonder. Little Mo is underrated and my favourite artist vocally. And my favourite album is one of hers called ‘Based On A True Story’. I respect all the top artists, Barry White, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder. I think if I wanted to wow the Judges though, I’d try something a little different – maybe some Ska!�

We are almost there! The live shows kick off next week and tonight our 12 X Factor finalists were revealed!

They are as follows:

SIMON’S SINGERS: 16-24

Nikitta Angus
AGE 17: Fulfilled mum’s dying wish to go on show. Simon said: “Your voice is fantastic… your mum would be proud.�

Leona Lewis
AGE 21: Wrote first song at 12 and debut album is out already. Went to prestigious Brit drama school, now works as receptionist.

Raymond Quinn
AGE 18: Awardwinning ex-Brookside actor, broke down as Simon rejected him, then tracked him down and asked him to return and take a place in his final 8 acts.

Ashley McKenzie
AGE 16:student and ex-male model. He told Simon: “Singing is my life… without it, it’s a dead end.�

SHARON’S SINGERS: 25+

Kerry McGregor
AGE 31: Mother to 16 month old Joshua, Kerry broke her back falling from a tree in her teens - singing career is her lifelong ambition.

Dionne Mitchell
AGE 26: Dionne, a Londoner, wowed judges with a soulful take on Aretha Franklin’s You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman).

Ben Mills
AGE 26: Long-haired rocker Ben has a huge ambition to make it as a singer. He currently runs a business renting out marquees.

Robert Allen
AGE 27: Robert is a hospital worker whose pregnant girlfriend is due to give birth in December.

LOUIS’S GROUPS

The Unconventionals: Three boys, three girls… longtime pals Drew, Andrew, Tom, Nicola, Lucy and Liz. Can they score a Hear’Saystyle victory? The group thought they had sang themselves out of a place in the final as Drew forgot his lyrics in their final audition, but Louis loved them anyway.

Eton Road: This quartet are James, Anthony, David and Daniel - pals with an unusual style.

McDonald Brothers: These Glaswegian brothers are Brian and Craig MacDonald. Handsome boys, I’d love to meet their dad!

4Sure: Four boys… Donovan, Andrew, Chris and Jermaine.

X Factor contestant Ashley McKenzie could be kicked off the show after a having a furious bust-up with mentor Simon Cowell.

The former model reportedly lost his temper with Mr Nasty, Simon Cowell, over the songs he was given to sing for tomorrow nights show.
The outburst was said to be so heated that Simon Cowell personal bodyguards had to step in and calm things down.

An eye witness said: “We couldn’t believe what was happening. Ashley was fuming.”

The source added: “Ashley’s got some nerve - actually daring to question Simon Cowell, who has been behind so many huge acts. He should have just shut up.”