Well, after a run of good luck that even John Sergeant would be proud of, Daniel Evans has finally bowed out of The X Factor. He’s incited a support campaign from Chris Moyles, and even received a letter of support from Gordon Brown (that’s the Prime Minister, for those of you who are apathetic about politics).

Despite getting a critical bashing week on week from the judges, Daniel remains on chipper form, and he’s full of chat on the phone as we talk about X Factor, older contestants and what he’s up to next.

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Saturday night, and Louis Walsh, the man responsible for booting most of the talented acts OUT of X Factor put an end to Laura White’s dream of winning the competition. Described by the evil Irishman as “The Voice Of The Competition”, Louis chose to save the inferior Ruth Lorenzo instead.

We catch up with Laura after she’s finished her early morning round of TV interviews, and surprisingly she’s very upbeat. In our chat with Laura, we find out how to get her original music online, and how she feels in the aftermath of Saturday night’s shock eviction.

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Every X Factor reject has a busy day on the Monday after getting voted out - but none more than Austin Drage, who is at Number 1 in the singles chart with the Help For Heroes charity song. So this Monday is a little busier than usual, and we eventually catch up with Austin in the afternoon.

He’s getting a little tired out from all the questions, but we get what is possibly the most frank and honest X Factor interviews we’ve ever done.

Unreality TV: Harking back to Saturday night, one of Louis Walsh’s comments was that you were failing to connect with your audience.

To be honest with you, I thought that was a bit of a silly thing to say, because obviously I’ve connected with the audience every week since starting the competition. I’ve connected with the audience as much as anybody else, but I haven’t had the great songs that everybody else had, I haven’t been that lucky.

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A devastated Scott Bruton shuffled off the X Factor stage on Saturday night, having lost his place in the competition to an outstanding last-minute performance from Daniel Evans.

Still choked up after Daniel’s performance, Louis Walsh sealed Scott’s fate and sent him home. And as Dermot O’Leary attempted to interview him, it was obvious that Scott was shell-shocked from the sudden defeat.

We caught up with Scott during his hectic Monday morning interview schedule and asked him how he felt in the wake of Saturday night.

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It’s 11:00 in the morning, but Phoebe Lau – one part of aptly-named X Factor act GirlBand - is buzzing, despite being up since 6:00am…

GirlBand were ejected from the competition on Saturday night after being in the bottom two for the second week running. When we catch up with Phoebe, she’s just come off the Lorraine Kelly slot on GMTV and the girls are gearing up for an interview on This Morning.

She tells us “It still hasn’t sunk in yet that we’re out of the show. We’re just happy to have got this far and have the opportunity to sing in front of so many people.”

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Andy Williams was the fourth singer to leave X Factor this year. He was eliminated after singing a version of Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars in a head to head with Beverley Trotman.

We caught up with Andy earlier this evening for a short interview about his evicition, his plans for the future, and who he thinks will win X Factor.

How are you feeling since your exit from X Factor on Saturday?

It’s a bit weird trying to come back down to normal life after X Factor, but each day’s getting a little better. I’m trying to pick myself up now and be a bit positive about things.

You’ll be on the X Factor tour though?

Yeah, I’ll still be on the tour. I’ll be trying to keep my profile up and work as hard as I can to prepare for the tour and to keep my face out there.

Not just your torso?

(Laughs) Not just my torso, no…

So what’s next, have you had any approaches for your post-X Factor career?

There’s been a mixture of different ideas with regard to music, with regard to modelling and makes of clothes and stuff. It’s been a good mixture so far, so I’m feeling more positive than I did on Saturday night.

How did the pressure of the show get to you?

It’s high pressure, it’s tough. I knew when  I sang the first song that I started off key, but I tried to pull it back. I know it wasn’t the greatest of song choices to show my voice off, but you’ve got to work with what you’ve been given.

Watching your audition clips, you came across much better at audition than you did during the live shows.

Yeah, I know. To be honest, I thought I even looked better at the first auditions and obviously I was singing what I wanted. I think I suffered a bit through song choices.

Do you think a lot of contestants have suffered through song choice?

Yeah, definitely. It’s hard to sing a song if your voice isn’t entirely suited to it.

On the sing-off, both you and Beverley really raised your game at the end. Were you fighting to stay in?

Well, to be honest, I was singing the best I could. It was kind of out of frustration and giving it everything, saying goodbye. I kind of knew I was done because of the situation I was in. For one, Beverley was a very good singer and along with that, Dannii Minogue still had three acts left.

The last line of the song was kind of like a goodbye line for me. It was quite heartbreaking really.

If you could have chosen your own songs, what would you have chosen?

I’d have liked to sing George Michael’s I Can’t Make You Love Me at some point. Songs like Bridge Over Troubled Water, just classic ballads to show people that I could sing.

Is that your style of music? Is that what you listen to?

Yeah, ballads. I love Luthor Vandross, Billy Joel, loads of different mixtures really.

As a contestant, how much control do you have over your performance?

You get some. It’s tough, because obviously you’ve got a mentor and you have to do what they think is best for you. You have control, but you always respect the advice of people who’ve been in the industry way longer than you.

Did you have much experience singing before X Factor?

Well, I entered the competition when I was about 19, but I didn’t get anywhere, but then I worked up to it for this season. Apart from that, I’ve only really sang at karaoke a couple of times in my life and that’s it.

I suppose you’ll be in and out of the X Factor studio until the end of the series?

I hope so, although I’ve got gigs lined up now and most of them are on Saturdays and Sundays so it makes it difficult to come down. It’s looking positive now.

Aren’t you restricted in what you can do until a few months after X Factor finishes?

No, that really only applies to recordings. Everything else is fair game. Gigs, personal appearances and modelling work will all be fine. I’m just trying to make the right choices.

I’ll be on the tour too and that’ll give me the opportunity to show people what I’m made of.

What are your predictions for the final?

I’d like to see Team Minogue at the top, you know, Rhydian and Leon. I’ve got a feeling that it could be Rhydian, Leon and Same Difference in the final three. Hope might be as well.

I mean Niki and Beverley are amazing singers, but I don’t know if they’ll make the final. I think the others have the X Factor, and the support from home. Rhydian will have all of Wales and Leon will have all of Scotland voting.

Rhydian’s got a good chance of winning it.

Were you surprised by Same Difference? I mean, when they went in, we all assumed they were a novelty act, but they’re coming back stronger each week.

They’re good singers. They’ve definitely got something, I mean the likeability factor, they entertain so well. I think more than anyone they’ve got a good market for their music. They’re the most individual.

[We had a brief discussion about Niki going on tour with Sonia back in the 90's, but to my dismay, Andy doesn't know who Sonia is. Don't worry folks I gave him a full history of Sonia, from Bread to Re-Born In The USA. Kids today...]

What about Rhydian? What’s he like in real life?

Nice guy, really. I can’t say much about him. He’s a lot shyer when you first meet him, but you can tell when he speaks in the show that he’s a really decent bloke, he’s a gentleman.

I know at the start he thought he was being edited unfairly.

Yeah, it didn’t go well for him, did it? We all knew though that he was going to shine through eventually no matter what they did. You warm to him very quickly.

Final question: If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?

I suppose be more careful with song choices and just go for it more and have more of a drive.

Alright Andy, thanks for taking the time out to talk to us at Unreality TV, and best of luck for the future.

Thanks mate.

[We're not sure whether Andy will inherit his X Factor MySpace page or if updates will be done through his original page. However, we will keep you posted on ways to keep up with Andy's career if you're a fan.]

With the launch of Britain’s Got Talent just around the corner, we caught up with Stephen Mulhern who’ll be presenting the ITV2 show Britain’s Got More Talent.

According to Stephen, the ITV2 show will be a behind the scenes look at the contestants and judges. Britain’s Got More Talent will have the usual mix of interviews and outlandish features you’ve come to expect from ITV aftershows. Apparently there’s going to be a section called Tony’s Top Talent Tips featuring Simon Cowell’s bodyguard and a Hidden Talents Of The Famous slot, which I can’t wait to see!

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On Monday evening, I had a chance to interview Robert Allen, who was dropped from X Factor on Saturday by the unrepentant Simon Cowell. Despite a fantastic performance or an otherwise lacklustre song.

Robert and I chatted about his plans for the future, children, judges acting like children and Robert spent some time defending the McDonald Brothers’ performances on the show. The interview’s worth a read (naturally) and hopefully you’ll find Robert to be every bit the nice guy you saw on X Factor.

Brad: Hi Robert, how’re you doing?

Robert: I’m fine thank you very much.

Brad: So, I don’t know where to start with you Robert…we were shocked to hear you’d been evicted.

Robert: Aw man, it’s like everybody’s asking me if I feel cheated. I don’t want to think about the downsides of it, I want to keep positive. I know that getting from 100,000 acts to 12 acts down to the final 6 is a great achievement. I’m really proud of myself for getting that far, whatever Simon’s reasons for voting me out.

You haven’t heard the last of Robert Allen, as I said on the X Factor show. I’ve got the X Factor tour coming up in February going right through to March. From now until then I’m going to be working with a couple of producers getting some album material and single material ready.

As soon as the tour’s finished I’m going to try and get a deal and push something out by the middle of next year and strike while the iron’s hot.

Brad: Talk about optimistic! Well done!

Robert: Yeah, you’ve gotta be. I’ve been singing since I was a little kid and I’ve always wanted to sing. I actually signed to an independent label in 2001, that lasted for two years, but I wasn’t mentally ready for it. I’ve been in multiple groups, I’ve toured up and down the UK - I know what I want for my career and where I want it to go.

I can’t be downhearted about being out of the show, because that’s in the past. Unless they’re going to bring me back in!

Brad: Don’t joke! There’s actually been talk about that on our forum today - that your girlfriend’s due any day now and there are plans to bring you back when the baby’s born!

Robert: For real? A twist? Well, she went for a scan today and everything’s cool. They were going to induce her because they thought the baby was quite big, but everything’s normal now.

Brad: Is this your first baby Robert?

Robert: Yes, it is my first and I’m very excited for that. I was doing this competition for myself at the beginning, but finding out I’m going to be a dad gave me an extra boost. It’s inspired me.

Brad: Is the baby due now?

Robert: No, December the 23rd is her due date. It’s not close, but the baby could come any time soon.

Brad: Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl yet?

Robert: It’s a boy.

Brad: Each week we do an X Factor chart on our website saying who we thought was the best performance of the evening. On Saturday, Lynne rated you second best act of the evening. (I read Lynne’s comment to Robert and also a comment from a reader that suggests Simon Cowell should leave the country for evicting Robert!)

Robert: Nice one man, it’s nice to hear that people are supporting me! It makes this whole journey a lot easier to know that people appreciate my singing talent and are willing to support me and help me build a career. Without fans, we musicians and singers don’t have a chance. To everybody out there, thank you very much.

Brad: As I said earlier, Saturday was the third time you were in the bottom two acts. How does that feel?

Robert: Well, I don’t understand how I was in the bottom two so many times, because every time I got up on that stage I made sure I gave 150%, sharing my soul and my passion. Every week I gave a different style - sometimes I went a little bit crazy, then I slowed down and did some more ballads.

I showed my versatility - I didn’t have props. The first time I had a prop was the choir on Saturday. No smoke machines, no wind machines or dancing or backing vocalists. Maybe for one of the judges it just wasn’t good enough….

Brad: When you ended up in the bottom to this week, were you expecting to be evicted?

Robert: Yeah, I was expecting to be evicted. But at the end of the day Simon made his choice, even though it doesn’t really affect him, so it doesn’t really matter to him. Maybe though it’s a little bit to my benefit that I came out so soon.

I still have respect for him. I have bigger respect for Louis and even bigger respect for Sharon Osbourne.

Brad: Simon commented in the early live shows that you need to calm down on stage. I thought your earlier performances were more fun and vibrant though. Did you prefer lively performances or your more ‘controlled’ performances?

Robert: In those performances it was like being in my own Wembley Stadium, it felt like it was an hour for me and I was performing in front of a stadium audience! I just needed to be up and down that stage and connecting with the audience as well as the people at home.

Brad: did you prefer performing in a lively way or did you prefer the more controlled performances that came later?

Robert: Well, before I started X Factor, my performances were actually quite controlled, so to come on to this show and start singing more up-tempo songs gave me a whole new outlook on my performance ability. So I’m glad that I was able to do both.

When I eventually do my own live shows, I’ll be able to do both styles - it won’t just be an hour and a half of slow songs. It’ll be a mixture of different songs and different moods.

Brad: Were you able to see the progression in your performances week after week?

Robert: Yeah, big progressions. Even as I go home this evening, I’m still going to go back and perfect my vocals even more and just get myself ready for the next level of my career.

Brad: Are you a better singer/performer now than you were at your first audition?

Robert: Totally a better singer now than I was seven months ago. I’ve learned a lot from the vocal coaches, learned how to command a crowd, what people like and what they don’t like. The main thing is as long as I get out there and perform and be happy, they will absorb my happiness.

Brad: During the live shows, you’ve managed to entertain us with a wide variety of musical styles. What artists and songs inspire you?

Robert: Mary J Blige No More Drama, Christina Aguilera, Rod Stewart, you know when he does the big band stuff? (sings a bit of Smile…) Frank Sinatra, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Coldplay - those kind of songs with my soul vocal on top.

That’s what I wanted to do in the competition, but for some reason they just wanted me to stick to that soul genre. I like to be a bit edgy though, a bit diverse.

Brad: Were you comfortable with the songs you were asked to sing?

Robert: I was. The one song I regretted was Take A Chance by ABBA.

Brad: You didn’t have much choice there, did you?

Robert: No, I didn’t…

Brad: Was ABBA week the worst week?

Robert: I enjoyed the performance, but when I finished it I regretted it and it was too late to change the song.

Brad: How much input do you, as a contestant, have in choosing your own songs?

Robert: Oh, you have a little input, but at the end of the day, they make the final decision. You’re given a variety of songs, but they might stop you singing one because they don’t think it’s right for you. They know what the audience wants.

Brad: I see from your X Factor profile that you play a couple of instruments. Can you tell me a little bit about your musical career before X Factor?

Robert: When I was at school I used to play the violin, double-bass and I tried a little bit of piano and got to grade 4 on the clarinet. I was in Citizen Kane, a vocal harmony group and did many gigs up and down the country - they supported the Spice Girls and did a lot of TV work and festivals.

Brad: Five acts left in the show, who do you think’s going to win the show?

Robert: Ben or Leona.

Brad: And who do you think will be next to go out?

Robert: I think it’ll be between the McDonald Brothers and Ray. But I want to say, the McDonald Brothers have huge talent - they’re not just singers, they’re musicians as well and they’ve got a lot of fans out there.

Every time they get put down they just come back stronger and stronger. You know, they’re just getting used to performing on TV and in front of a live audience and as the weeks go on, they’re just going to keep getting better and better.

Eton Road didn’t have the best vocal on Saturday but I have a feeling they’re going to come back stronger this week and let the public see who they are!

Brad: Are you getting a lot of comments about the McDonalds today?

Robert: Yeah, I am and to be quite honest I don’t like it. Knowing that we’re singers and we’re up on that stage baring our souls. I know I feel naked up there, they must feel just as exposed as I do. I try not to let things affect me, but sometimes it does affect people and what the judges need to understand is that the McDonalds have a great talent and they need to feed that and nurture it, not knock them down. People out there love them.

I believe in their talent. They’re not my favourite style of singers, but there is a market out there for them and as they progress I think they’ll learn to adapt and be more versatile.

(at this point, Robert’s taxi arrives to take him home and we end the interview)

I got a chance this afternoon to talk to the one and only Ashley McKenzie after his ejection from X Factor on Saturday. Ashley was yet another of the contestants to fall foul of a fickle public and the warring judges Mssrs Cowell and Walsh.

Ashley comes across as a laid back but genuine guy. When I spoke to him, he was gracious about his X Factor defeat and hopeful for the future. Oh….and he’s single ladies….

Brad: Hi Ashley, thanks for taking the time to talk to Unreality TV. You left X Factor on Saturday night after singing The Winner Takes It All by Abba. What happened after the show?

Ashley: Well, I did a bit for the Xtra Factor Aftermath show, saw my family, went to see Simon, and that was it really - just went back to the house. Oh and got absolutely drunk, coz I didn’t have to get up the next day.

Brad: How was Simon Cowell after the show?

Ashley: He was pretty gutted really. He felt that he’d lost a good act and that I hadn’t shone enough on the show. He just said that’s the way it goes sometimes, like Maria Lawson for instance and some of his acts in America that got kicked out early on and they were the best in the show! I’m not saying I was the best in the show, but he was just comparing me to them.

Brad: Even from the first week, we could see your potential in the show. Despite the fact that your song that week wasn’t great, there was a spark that we were hoping to see develop over the competition. We’re a bit shocked that you went out so early - how are you taking it?

Ashley: You know what, I am over the moon. I’m really happy and people are asking me why and I’m saying “Look, there’s people in much worse situations: kids going into war and people dying because they’ve got no food. I’ve gained experience and I’ve loved every part of it and I’m still loving it. I’m really really privileged that I got a chance to do what I love doing.

Brad: We know you’ve done a bit of modelling in the past, but have you done anything musically before X Factor?

Ashley: No, nothing. I did one show for a friend, but it weren’t nothing big. X Factor was the first thing and the biggest thing that I’ve done.

Brad: So, joining X Factor was a big culture shock for you?

Ashley: Yeah, I was thrown straight in at the deep end - no experience, no vocal training, nothing. It’s just like raw talent for me, just going up and giving it all I’ve got. To be honest, I’m glad it went like that because that’s just me right there.

Brad: Is performing on X Factor different to modelling work you’ve done?

Ashley: Definitely! I’m not saying modelling’s not good, but all you do is just sit there and all you are is a pretty face, you’re not really a personality or anything like that. To be honest, I don’t like judging people by their appearance, it’s what’s inside that counts. I mean, materialistic things can get burnt in a fire, but all you’ve got at the end of the day is your soul. I like to talk, to say what’s on my mind, y’know?

Being a model’s just a picture, it doesn’t compare to singing at all.

Brad: Do you write songs or play any instruments at all?

Ashley: Yeah, I write songs, but my voice is my instrument [laughs], but I want to learn to play guitar though.

Brad: What made you decide to audition for X Factor?

Ashley: I went to Spain, after working in TopShop for about three years and just started reflecting on my life. I decided that singing was my passion. My aunt was the one that sat me down and had a talk with me and discussed auditioning and it went from there basically.

Brad: How did you feel getting through the X Factor auditions and discovering that Simon Cowell was going to be your mentor?

Ashley: I was over the moon. I prayed I would get Simon, because I just think he’s the most professional one, the best person to have on my side. I was really really happy about that.

Brad: When you were at Simon’s house, there were reports in the tabloids that you had a vicious argument with Simon over song choices. However, when the episode aired it didn’t look nearly as bad! What’s the real story?

Ashley: No, the papers always, always exaggerate. There were people saying that I was being a complete diva, but I was just speaking my mind. I wasn’t happy with the song and that’s all I said. Simon said you need to learn to adapt to songs and sing what’s chosen, but I said that I didn’t appreciate him judging me - he’d said that he didn’t think I wanted to win X Factor badly enough.

I said to him, “People judge you all the time, but when they get to know you they see you differently.” And that’s all it was, it was just two human beings speaking their minds. There was no bust up. I read in the papers I was spitting blood, bodyguards had to restrain me and I was a hot-headed ex-model and all this rubbish. Simon and have never had a tiff or anything like that.

Brad: The other rumour that we picked up on was about the Love Triangle between you, Nikitta and Jermaine from 4sure. Any truth in those rumours?

Ashley: There is no story, we just got on really well and just because I had my hand on Nikitta’s lap in a couple of interviews…I’m quite tactile, so when I’m close to someone, that’s all it was. There was no love triangle at all, that’s just silly!

Brad: And what about you, are you single at the moment?

Ashley: Yeah, I am single, but at the moment I’m trying to concentrate on my career. If something happens, then good.

[At this point, I mentioned to Ashley about all the comments we've received from his fans - he said thanks very much, he appreciates them all!]

Brad: On Saturday night, you sang The Winner Takes It All. Was it a good choice of song?

Ashley: I thought it was, because the lyrics were deep and the tune itself was nice and I thought the audience could relate to it. I thought it was good, but other people have said they thought it was a bad song choice. They’re entitled to their opinion, but I thought Simon did me well, it was just bad luck.

Brad: I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about the themes each week and how they’ve affected the acts. What’s your opinion?

Ashley: When I was in Miami with Simon, he told me that to become a great artist, you need to learn to adapt, to connect with the song and make it your own. So, from my point of view, they could have given me a Tellytubbies song or a Cheeky Girls song and I’d still have done my best with it. Personally, the themes were fine by me. It’s a challenge.

If we could have picked songs we were comfortable with, it would have been easy, but with the themes, you have to rise to it and learn to adapt.

Brad: If you could have chosen your own songs, what type of music would you like to sing?

Ashley: I really like R&B, soul and a little bit of classical. I love Amy Winehouse, Little Mo, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, artists who talk about real things in life.

Brad: Beyonce?

Ashley: Do you know what I like about Beyonce? How she gets up there and her performance is just sky-high, she dances like there’s no tomorrow and sings her heart out. That’s one thing that attracts me to that lady.

Brad: On X Factor, what were your opinions of the judges? Did you have a favourite?

Ashley: Oh, Simon all the way! I wouldn’t change him for the world. The Sharon and then Louis. No disrespect for Louis, but that’s just how I felt from the beginning.

Brad: And how do you feel toward Louis after getting ejected on Saturday?

Ashley: I feel the same toward him. He didn’t say anything disrespectful towards me. He’s just very professional, he’s a great man and he’s had a lot of success in his life, which I admire. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.

Brad: I was actually surprised a fortnight ago, you were in the bottom two and Louis had the casting vote. I thought he’d tactically vote you out to get a Simon, but he didn’t.

Ashley: Like I say, he’s a professional man, he’s not a sour bitch. He was doing what he felt was right. That night, it really got a bit bitchy among the judges. I think partly he was taking it out on Simon, but I was just in the middle of it. I don’t really mind, though because it is a competition between the judges too.

Brad: Who do you think is going to eventually win this year’s X Factor?

Ashley: Umm…I think Raymond to be honest with you, because he’s got the quirkiness and the whole package. I would love Nikitta to win because she’s strong and I really feel that she deserves it. Leona I’m not even worried about, because she’s beautiful inside and out and she’s got a voice of an angel. I’d like to see Robert win it, because he’s got his baby on the way. Any of those four I’d love to see win.

Brad: I was talking to Kerry about her songwriting the other day, and how it would be to perform her own songs in the X Factor. Do you think it would be a good idea to showcase your songwriting talent?

Ashley: Yeah, I do. Kerry’s very talented when it comes to writing, because she’s very deep and very spiritual and I think she’s got a lot to give to the world. Look at Stevie Wonder - he’s blind, but he still managed to become a multi-million selling artist. I’m sure Kerry can do the same.

Brad: Now that X Factor’s over for you Ashley, what are your plans for the future?

Ashley: Well, for now I just want to rest, because I feel a bit battered emotionally. But I’m going to carry on singing because that’s my passion. Singing all the way…hopefully doors will start opening for me now.

Brad: And what about the X Factor tour, will you be performing?

Ashley: Yeah, I’m going to be performing on the tour. I’ll be there on all the dates. It’s going to be big, so I’ll definitely have to get prepared for that.

Brad: Judging from the comments on our blog, you’re building up quite a following. Have you got a message for your fans?

Ashley: Yes, everyone’s support is really appreciated. Tell them I said Hi and if they want to sing or whatever, just keep going for their dreams, because if you’re determined, you’ll achieve those goals eventually!

The Unconventionals were the most individual act to make it through to this year’s X Factor finals. In a shocking twist, they were evicted during the first live show of the season by Simon Cowell.

I caught up with Lucy Newton today to find out how The Unconventionals felt about their sudden exit from the X Factor and what the future holds for the group.

How did The Unconventionals come together?

Well, Drew was really the lynchpin of the band - he knew most of us already and a couple of us had worked together in the past. Drew came up with the idea of putting a group together for the X Factor, so he contacted us and we started rehearsing for the show.

We got together about three months before the show started.

How did you come to be called The Unconventionals?

Well, it was Drew’s idea initially, although in hindsight having such a long name might have cost us text votes! We were sort of hoping that the producers would allow us to change the name down the line - I think they did that in the first series with G4. Sadly it doesn’t matter now!

The Unconventionals seem to have a very distinctive sound for such a short time together. How did that come about?

Well, there are six people in the band who can sing in their own right. Liz (Ewing) is a very rocky singer. I’ve got quite a high pitched, youthful voice, being the youngest in the group and Drew has a poppy style. Mark Hudson [Sharon's vocal coach] compared us to The Beach Boys. They had a distinctive sound…when you heard those vocal harmonies you knew who you were listening to.

I think that was the idea behind The Unconventionals, to have a unique sound.

Your X Factor profile says your musical influences include Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and 50 Cent. That’s pretty diverse. I didn’t have you down as a gangsta rapper!

[Laughs] I quite like R&B music, their studio voice is the real thing. What you hear on the record is what you’ll hear on stage.

Tell me more about your career before The Unconventionals and X Factor.

When I was 17, I played the second cover for Eponine in Les Miserables. I did 5 performances of that show, and although I was nervous, it was such great experience.

After that, I had roles in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Footloose the musical and Taboo which is where I met Drew. I also did Fame in Holland.

How did you feel getting through auditions, boot camp and through to the live show?

Tom was always the positive one in the group and every audition he’d say “we’re getting through”. The worst was in Louis Walsh’s house, we thought we weren’t going to get through.

We’d been practicing late into the night and Drew decided to stay up and practice in the bathroom, but it just wouldn’t go in. In the end, he kept forgetting the words. That audition was just destined to be a disaster! That was the boot camp audition where we had the fluff-up with the Queen song.

The first day at Louis’ house where we sang Push The Button and Everybody Hurts was great. The production crew loved it and everybody was asking us to record it as their ringtone. On the second day we sang Dedicated To The One I Love by The Mamas and The Papas.

What was Louis Walsh’s Boot Camp like?

The experience was good and we started to bond with the other contestants like 4Sure and the McDonald Brothers. We were at Louis’ house for quite a while, which meant we got to know some of the other groups.

What was it like living in the X Factor house?

Well, we spent 3 weeks in the X Factor house. 24 people living under one roof was always going to be testing, tensions could be raised. You’d be sitting in a room and someone would come in, switch on the stereo and then walk out again. Even things like washing up caused quite a few house meetings!

What did you think of your performance on last Saturday’s show?

We didn’t feel we performed to the best of our abilities on the night. We thought Simon was a bit harsh saying we were diabolical. That pantomime between Simon and Louis took over and we weren’t even given time to respond to his criticism.

I appreciate there has to be a certain amount of pantomime in order to play to the audience. But Simon Cowell knows how powerful he is. People listen to what he says, and he knew what he was doing when he said we were diabolical.

If you could do it again, what would you have done differently?

We’d probably - that’s a hard question - until we got on the stage we didn’t realise anything was wrong. If I had it to do again, I’d make the backing track simpler so that the vocals could work better.

Did the band expect to be leaving so early in the series?

We hoped we’d get a couple of weeks of performances. The majority of the voting public are teen girls who are likely to vote for the good looking boys, so we didn’t ever think we’d win.

Will The Unconventionals be staying together? Some of the visitors on our forum have been asking me if you’re likely to be releasing an album. Is there a record deal in the pipeline?

We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the show. We’ve had offers for gigs and appearances.

The future is we’re going to start recording and hopefully release an album next year. We’ve had some interest from record companies.

Presumably you’ll be doing the X Factor tour when the show ends?

Yes, although we’re not sure of dates yet. We may end up appearing at a handful of the dates.

What are your opinions of the judges?

Well, I think what Simon said about us was very harsh. Having said that, he met us in the corridor afterward and shook our hands and said “you guys are brilliant but your song let you down”. Simon’s very intelligent and he really knows what he’s talking about, but the rivalry with Louis got on top of him.

I’m full of praise for Louis. He’s been supportive of us all along and he’s still being supportive even now, giving us advice. He’s as disgusted as we are about being ejected. I think Louis is very intelligent and loyal, but he’s sometimes overshadowed by Simon. He’s lovely though.

We didn’t see much of Sharon throughout the competition, so I couldn’t really comment. We appeared on her chat show yesterday and she came across as very loyal too.

Who’s your favourite act from those remaining? Who are you rooting for to win?

My personal favourite is 4Sure. The remind me of Boyz II Men [we had a bit of a debate as to whether that was a good of bad thing]. They’re really talented boys and they’re really focussed. While they were rehearsing last Friday, Simon told them to start from scratch and re-do their song. The day before the live show! Yet they worked hard on improving their act. They’ve got clever harmonies, they’re talened and focussed.

Having said that, I think Leona will win it. Simon speaks very highly of her and people are influenced by his opinion. What did he say about her? “There’s never been a performer of your calibre in the UK before” or something like that.