‘X Factor’ evictee Kerry McGregor claims that taking part in The X Factor has cured her of her post-natal depression.

Kerry said: “Being on ‘X Factor’ has been the natural high I needed to go home and be the mother Joshua needs.

“I had the baby blues for the best part of a year. I found it difficult to adjust to being a full-time mum as I was always so career-driven.

“I love my son dearly and I would never trade him for the world. I’m proud of the experience on ‘X factor’ and I’m sure he will benefit.”

Kerry now hopes to persuade Joshua’s father, Dean Robertson, to give their relationship a second chance.

She said: “I would like to think we could get back together. That would be the perfect fairytale ending.”

X Factor evictee Dionne Mitchell has hit out at Simon Cowell after she was booted off the show last weekend.

Dionne left the show as part of a shock double-elimination, which also saw Kerry McGregor being voted off the show.

At a press conference after her eviction from the show, Dionne said: “I felt that Simon’s comments were a personal attack against me.”

“I have always held Simon Cowell in great esteem. But last night shattered every illusion that I had of him.”

“I didn’t come on this show to be a backing singer,” she said in response to Cowell’s claims she should be singing back-up vocals.

Fellow contestant Kerry said: “When Louis said I had peaked, I really knew he was wrong. I think last night’s performance was one of my best on ‘The X Factor’ so far – but people have not heard me at my peak yet.”

Finally, a decision I can’t complain about. And its taken us to week 3 for me to stop shaking my head at the Great British Public.

Okay, so the MacDire Brothers are still there (have the people voting for them considered seeing their doctor, their audiologist or their psychiatrist? Perhaps a block booking to all three would do the job) – but Dionne and Ashley were definitely two of the worst performances last night. If you want to see my thoughts on all the songs last night, you can look at Lynne’s Blog And poor Dionne, whose performances have worsened week after week was inevitably going home. At least she’ll be spared Sharon picking any more dodgy songs for her (why on earth was she singing that song? She could have done an amazing job on Fever, which would have been endlessly more Big Band)

Just for a change, I can even agree with Louis Walsh. Yes, yes, I know, its not often I have anything in common with the weird little Irishman, but he was on the ball. Ashley was horrendous last night – but he can do better. I don’t think that Kerry will be able to raise her game any higher. She didn’t have a bad voice (well, she can sing better than I can) – but she just didn’t have any stage presence or any passion. There just was no X Factor – and that’s what the show is all about. Hopefully, Ashley will now realise that he isn’t as good as he thinks he is, and will buck up his ideas. Quite how well he’ll do with an Abba track, I have no idea.

It will be interesting to see just how well the boys do with the whole Abba theme. Of all the themes, this will probably be the one where Ben will struggle the most – having said that, his performance last night is still sending shivers down my spine.

I’m also dreading to see just how smug Simon is next week – the only mentor with all his acts intact. With both Sharon and Louis now down to two acts, they’ll both have to raise their game – and actually consider what songs SUIT their remaining artists.

In tonight’s X Factor double eviction Kerry McGregor was the second act to leave. Kerry, Dionne and Ashley were all in the bottom three acts with Dionne leaving after polling the lowest number of votes.

Kerry and Ashley then participated in the weekly sing off and it was predictable from the start that Kerry would be the act leaving tonight.

I am glad that Louis saved Ashley tonight as he is definitely the most marketable of the two acts. I half expected Louis to send Ashley home purely to spite his arch rival Simon Cowell, but for once Louis played fair and as a result Kerry McGregor has sang her last X Factor song.

Another week, another show, another Unreality X Factor chart!

Be sure to let us know your thoughts and suggestions either here or on our forum!

1) Leona Lewis: Tonight Leona blew the judges away with her version of ‘Summertime’. Her performance was reminiscent of early Mariah Carey (before she turned to crap) and her vocals were truly amazing.

2) Ben Mills: Ben took a risk this week with the big band number. He performed for the most part without a band! Ben sang ‘Smile’ and accompanied himself on piano. His vocals were unrivaled by any other male on the show tonight. Without the backing singers and band we were able to fully appreciate Ben’s voice, it was one of those hair raising performances. This man has to make it to the final 3!

3) Robert Allen: Tonight Robert sang Mr Bojangles and it was a much more restrained performance than we are used to seeing from Rob. Probably because of that, I found the performance a bit bland to begin with, but as the song went on, Robert began to let go somewhat and he really took off from there. I have loved Robert’s performances every week and this week he didn’t let me down!

4) Eton Road: The boys tonight gave a great performance of ‘Mack The Knife’ and although Simon thought it was a “complete and utter mess”, I loved it! I think the boys manage to shine no matter what the genre of music and can somehow adapt themselves and the song so that it seems the track was written just for them.

5) Ray Quinn: Ray opened the show with ‘Ain’t That A Kick In The Head’ this evening and I thought it was his best performace in the competition so far. He looked confident and comforatble with his song, he danced brilliantly and for once his cheesines was entirely suited to the song.

6) Ashley McKenzie: I realised something was a bit off with Ashley’s rendition of Moondance tonight even before he fluffed his lines. I thought he looked nervous and like he was really concentrating and for once his performance did not seem anywhere near effortless. Ashley has a fantastic voice and a great style, but tonight though he got a lot better as the song went on I felt he struggled a bit with this number.

7) Dionne Mitchell: I love Dionne’s voice, she is probably one of the best vocalists in this years show, but tonight she failed to blow me away. I didn’t feel that she was given the chance to show off with this song and I felt that in picking it Sharon made a very poor choice. Dionne is every bit as talented as Leona but tonight she did not manage to showcase her talent in the way which Leona did. I agree with Simon that at times Dionne can look uncomfortable on stage and certainly did at points tonight, however, I imagine that with some coaching this could easily be rectified and I don’t think it is nearly as big a problem as Simon would have us believe.

Kerry McGregor: Tonight Kerry performed ‘You Can’t Take That Away From Me’ and I think it was her best performance in the competition so far. Kerry looked much more relaxed and confident than last week and the song definitely suited her voice very well.

9) The MacDonald Brothers: After much debate The MacDonald Brothers and Louis Walsh finally decided on ‘I Love You Baby’ for this weeks song. The boys harmonies were good and their vocals were spot on, but it lacked something. There was no spark, I just couldn’t get excited. I hope these boys last another week though, I thought they were really good in bootcamp and maybe with a different song they would be a bit more impressive.

10) Nikitta Angus: Nikitta had a hard task tonight, not only did she have sing but she had to perform a choreographed dance routine as well. Sharon Osbourne felt that her vocals suffered somewhat because of the dancing and I would strongly agree. Firstly the song didn’t allow her to show off her vocal ability and secondly she was trying so hard to get her dance steps right that she forgot to put her heart and soul into the song. I think Nikitta has massive talent for such a young girl but she didn’t quite hit the mark tonight.

Leona Lewis singing First Cut Is the Deepest.

Simon “she looks like a star and acts like one but we have a shyness issue with Leona that she needs to get over. But I would rather work with someone shy and sweet than someone who is arrogant and cocky backstage.”

Rod admits to Leona that even he suffers from his nerves, “I couldn?t sing in front of three or four people and I still get nervous today when I go out and perform.”

The MacDonald Brother singing Sailing

The MacDonald Brothers said “We got a battering form the judges last week and it was quite hard to take, we are used to doing small clubs and weddings and we’ve never felt that pressure to perform. Meeting Rod brings it home and this week we are going to show everyone what we are made of, and it is the quiet ones you have to look out for”

Judges Comments:

Louis - You don’t look like the same 2 guys who were on stage last week, you had a mountain to climb but you did it.

Sharon – first time I have ever seen anyone play a guitar with a sporran. Definitely better than last week and I think Rod is right, concentrate on your voices and the rest will come.

Simon – Guys, I think you are 2 really nice kids, but I thought it was terrible, I hope Rod was watching with the volume down. It was verging on the insane, all the key changes, the guitar and the dress. After a performance like that there is not a cat in hells chance of you boys winning this competition. Even the boo?s in the studio are low.

Ashley McKenzie singing I’d Rather Go Blind

Ashley, “Last week it was Motown which I loved but this week it is Rod Stewart which is really not my thing and if I had been asked to sing this song two months ago they would have kicked me out the competition because I wouldn’t have done it, but tonight I hope I don’t let anyone down.”

Judges Comments:

Louis - That was a classy and very polished performance, thank be to god you are in this competition. You are different

Sharon – You know how to work it kid, you have everything going for you. You know how to milk those notes and I have to hand it too you. And I can tell you are going to be a right handful, you have a right attitude but you’re a great performer.

Simon – I thought you did really well, it’s not a well known song and it did take me some time to pick the song for you this week, but you made it your own and we are very lucky to have you, you are original and it was a mesmorising performance.

Dionne Mitchell singing Tonight’s The Night

Dionne “Last week I was devastated and my confidence was knocked quite heavily and it has made me doubt myself”

Rod on Dionne “She could be wonderful, she has such a powerful voice but it is in the lap of the gods”

Judges comments:

Louis – Last week I said you were my favourite and I could not understand why you were there, you deserve to be on that stage 100% you are like Tina Turner.

Sharon – You owned that stage tonight you so deserve to be there, I love the inclination in your voice, you got it going girl.

Simon – I was very surprised to see you in the bottom two last week. There is no question of doubt you are a very very good dinger, but there are a tonne of backing singers who are as good as you, and if you stay in this week you need to spend a week in front of the mirror practising your performance

4Sure singing You’re In My Heart

Rod Stewart “For your style I know this is not your thing, and last week you had your shot with the Motown thing so you just have to give it your best this week”

Judges comments:

Louis – I know this song was out of your comfort zone, but that is show-biz, Jermaine you were great on leads and I think you did well.

Sharon – It was a very good arrangement, and I agree with Louis but you did very welll with it and you all look great

Simon – I like you guy’s but I didn’t like the arrangement

Nikitta Angus singing Bring It Home To Me

Nikitta “Last week I felt comfortable on stage and I knew my Mum was with me, as whenever I have performed in the past when my Mum has been there I always felt comfortable on stage, and that is how I felt last week. This is the best thing to ever happen to my and I have never been more happy in my life”

Judges comments:

Louis – You know I like you, but last week I didn?t like your song and this week is the same, I am not blaming you but I am blaming Simon, why the silly song Simon?

Sharon – You are a very talented young girl but Simon is very wrong tonight with both the song and the styling, it looks like you are wearing OJ Simpson’s glove. It is a shame you are not in our group as we would look after you

Simon – Louis, was Nikitta in the bottom 2 last week and Louis what do you know about fashion?

Louis – More than you I don?t wear my trousers up here!

Simon – You’re not exactly Giorgio Armani! Nikitta I know we have made some changes to the song and you were nervous before you came on tonight but you did yourself proud.

Robert Allen singing Try a Little Tenderness

Robert “last week being the first to perform was nerve wracking but I just went out there and gave it my best. I got great comments from the judges but I am not going to let it get to my head and I will keep myself grounded”

Rod Stewart “I love energy and he has tonnes of it”

Judges comments:

Louis – What can I say! You have everything, soul, emotion, great singer great performer best of the night so far!

Sharon – You have to stop being so shy! You were running around like a bat and you do have to be careful because of your tuning as you fell out of key but your performance made up for it.

Simon – You need to listen to Sharon, the audience love you but you have to be careful your performances don’t get too clownish, it was like a Chippendales performance, which Louis would know!

Eton Road singing This Old Heart of Mine

Eton Road “Appearing on the stage on Saturday was fantastic, the buzz we got off each other was amazing.? Anthony, ?I am hoping that being different is good and meeting Rod proved that being odd can result in success.”

Judges comments:

Louis- You have improved 100% you are already looking like a slick sophisticated boyband. Fantastic, I hope you get the votes

Sharon – Just when you think boy bands are done to death, and then come you guys, you are so unique and you know I love you Anthony, I adore you, and you know Kelly has already proposed to Anthony today!

Simon – There were some tuning problems, but it didn?t matter because something is starting to work for you guys. You are young you have energy and are really enthusiastic and the only decent group Louis has got is the one he didn?t put through!

Raymond Quinn singing What a Wonderful World

Ray “I don?t want to go home tonight, I am loving being in this competition I am just so excited.”

Judges comments:

Louis – Much better vocals than last week and if this was a smiling competition you would win it. But the song was a bit boring but the Mum’s will vote for you

Sharon – You are in a tough category and I feel you are in the wrong time zone compared to all the cutting edge acts in your group.

Simon – the first time you walked in the audition room you sang a Dean Martin song the other two wanted you in their category. What I disagree with what Sharon says is that although there are a million kids out there who could sing what you did tonight, you have the charm and style they would all lack.

Ben Mills singing Maggie May

Ben “I loved it last week, the crowd went wild and that is why I am here. Last week the judges compared me to Rod Stewart so this week is going to be a challenge. I don?t want people to see me as a Rod Stewart sound-a-like”

Rod “He has got a very powerful voice but he just needs to channel it.”

Judges comments:

Louis – What can I say, you owned that stage, you are brilliant, you are not just a great singer but you are also a great performer, you are going to give Robert a run for his money. I am going to predict that you make the final, with one of my acts!

Sharon - I would never be biased but I loved the arrangement, it was fantastic

Simon – You are in a very difficult position tonight as you have been compared to Rod Stewart and you performed one of his biggest hits. But you have an amazing voice and you have showed a different side to yourself tonight and I agree with Louis you should be in the final.

Once again its time for the weekly Unreality TV X Factor Chart.

Be sure to let us know your thoughts and suggestions either here or on our forum!

1) Ben Mills: Once again Ben tops our chart tonight. Rod Stewarts ‘Maggie May’ was perfect for Bens voice. The fact that Ben showed his musical talents off by playing the first verse on piano just added to the whole performance. Ben had fantastic energy and there wasn’t a dull moment throughout the whole song.

2) Robert Allen: Tonight Robert sang ‘Try a little tenderness’ and to say he nailed it would be an understatement. Robert obviously loved every minute of his performance and although I would have to agree with Simon Cowell’s comments, that at times he came across as a little desperate, it was still an amazing performance.

3) Leona Lewis: Leona opened the show with ‘The First Cut Is The Deepest’ and her vocals were astounding. Leona looked much more confident and less shy this week and all three judges praised her highly.

4) Ashley McKenzie: Ashley was at a bit of a disadvantage this week as the song that Simon chose for him was one of Rod Stewarts lesser known numbers. However I felt that this actually turned out to benefit Ashley as he was able to make it 100% his own. Ashley as always was supremely confident and sang fantastically. I would not be surprised to see this boy in the final.

5) Dionne Mitchell: Tonight Dionne sang ‘Tonights The Night’ and to be fair I don’t think that Dionne could sing any song badly! Dionne’s voice is so powerful and both Louis and Simon compared her to Tina Turner tonight. Simon thinks that Dionne’s performance can a times be very clumsy and while I remain a strong Dionne supporter I definitely think she needs a bit of coaching in that area. She can sometimes look uncomfortable on stage and if that could be remedied I think Dionna could go far.

6) Eton Road: Eton Roads performance tonight wasn’t perfect. There were definitely some tuning issues and at points the song seemed to run away from them. But the energy that the boys brought to the stage made up for any problems. Both Simon and Louis compared the band to an early Take That and I definitely got that vibe.

7) Nikitta Angus: Nikitta sang ‘Bring It On Home To Me’ tonight. She sang brilliantly and did not appear to be in any way nervous. However I agreed with Sharon and Louis when they criticised Simons song choice for Nikitta. She looked like an older woman, which took away some of her charm and the song didn’t entirely suit her voice. I hope she lasts until next week though, I really would like to see her doing some more contemporary numbers.

4Sure: I really liked 4Sures version of ‘You’re In My Heart’ on stage tonight. It was obviously out of their comfort zone but I liked the new slant they brought to the tune. The boys performed it flawlessly but for some reason it failed to blow me away.

9) Kerry McGregor: Kerry sang really well tonight and I liked her version of ‘I Don’t Want To Talk About It’. However it wasn’t very exciting and I think that with her voice she could have attempted something a bit more adventurous.

10) The MacDonald Brothers: I think The Mac Donald brothers have really great voices and although they came across much better tonight than they did last week I just couldn’t get excited about their performance. I loved their kilts and I liked their arrangement of ‘We Are Sailing’ it was a bit mroe adventurous than their song last week. However a few acts tonight really blew me away and The MacDonald brothers just didn’t move me much at all.

11) Ray Quinn: Tonight Ray sang ‘What a Wonderful World’ and it was….well….. a bit boring. Ray has a nice voice and he is so so cute. But his performance lacked the edge that it needed and if it wasn’t for the teenage girl vote i don’t think he’d last long on The X Factor.

So far as part of the X Factor competition we have seen Kerry McGregor as all sweetness and light. A lovely girl who has fought in the face of adversity and overcome the odds.

That all still stands true, but few of us would have guessed that Kerry was in the last few years the cause of a marriage breakup, or that she has a boob job in order to enhance her pop career.

Strange the things you find out, it makes me look at Kerry in a whole new light!

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.

X Factor finalist Kerry McGregor is pining for her baby boy who is currently hundreds of miles away in West Lothian, Scotland.

While Kerry shares a house with her fellow X Factor contestants, 17 month old Joshua is living at home in Scotland with Kerry’s mum.

“It’s absolutely heart-wrenching,” admitted single mum Kerry.

“I’ve left him with my mum and I’m desperately missing him, I want to see him so much.”

Kerry added: “Life is a raw deal. But at the end of the day the only restrictions you have are the ones you place on yourself. I can’t walk away from this a failure. It’s going to make me a stronger person.

“And if he can see his mum giving it her all it will show him that it’s possible to achieve something that seems impossible.He’s going to benefit from it.”

Name: Kerry McGregor

Age: 31

From: West Lothian

Occupation: Full Time Mum

The Story So Far…

* Kerry auditioned in Glasgow singing ‘Show Me Heaven’ by Maria McKee. All three Judges liked her. Simon said “good voice, good song choice – yesâ€?, Louis said “good voice – sounds like you mean it. Yesâ€? and Sharon said “great voice, great face. Yesâ€?.
* On the first day of Bootcamp Kerry sang The Beatles track ‘Something’. Mark Hudson thought it was “beautiful�.
* On the second day of Bootcamp Kerry sang ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ by Dusty Springfield. Mark Hudson said “I think she’s beautiful inside and out�. However Adrian Williams thought she was not as good as the other contestants. Sharon agreed with Adrian, saying she’s not as good as some of the other female contestants but she has a great aura about her.
* At Judges Houses Kerry sang ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ by Carole King.
* After the performance Adrian said that he had been negative about Kerry at Bootcamp but this performance had changed his mind. He thought this was the best he’d seen her perform, and even though she was not vocally as good as the other girls, he liked her. Sharon said her eyes sparkled when she sang and loved her lust for life. After much debate Sharon thought she deserved the chance.

History

* Kerry is a single mum and lives with her son Joshua (aged 18 months) in West Lothian. She was born and raised in Scotland.
* She is very close to her mum and says she is her ‘backbone’. Her dad was knocked down and killed by a drink driver when she was six. Her mum and grandpa were singers too, her grandpa was known as the Scottish ‘Bing Crosby’.
* Kerry is a paraplegic and uses a wheelchair and crutches. She broke her back when she was 13 after falling out of a tree.
* She came second in the song for Europe. Her song ‘Yodel In The Canyon Of Love’, lost out to Katrina And The Waves.
* Kerry has had a record deal in the past and made it to number 21 in the charts a song called Freedom.
* Kerry played Carol-Ann in the Channel 4 show The Book Group in 2003.
* Kerry won the Child of Achievement Awards in 1988.
* She appeared in a play on Radio 3 called ‘Peeling’ which was about disabilities.

What would winning The X Factor mean to you?

“Winning The X Factor would be a great sense of achievement because my life has been a bit of a toil and I’ve always fought against difficulties in my life. It would mean so much to me – it would almost be like the proof is in the pudding by winning The X Factor. It would prove to me that everything that I’ve ever done has been worth it and that I’ve always been fighting in the right direction�. If she does find herself in the position of winner she says that she’d buy her mum a house, “It would be so close to Christmas so I’d probably spoil my wee boy a bit that Christmas� she adds.

What do your friends and family think about you getting through, and what will you miss?

“I’ll miss my son, my family, my friends and I’ll also miss my parrot Sonny. The parrot doesn’t get on with everyone so it will be hard to clean him and feed him while I’m away. But my friends and family are ecstatic. They have seen me striving for this career so they are so excited for me. They are absolutely over the moon. I’ve never been so far away from family and friends before and had to get on with it myself without their help. I’d probably say I’m looking forward to the independence that it will give me as well as appearing on the live shows and getting the opportunity to sing in front of all those people at home. So getting the chance to come down there, being independent, being with everyone in the house would be one of my biggest accomplishments yet I suppose.�

Have you had any brushes with fame in the past?

Kerry has had a couple of brushes with fame before. She acted in Channel 4’s The Book Club and came runner up on Song For Europe behind the Katrina And The Waves. She says “I performed on the National Lottery so that was probably my five minutes of fame but nothing came from it as I was just the session singer on it.�

Where did you go to school

Kerry went to West Calders High School in West Lothian where her favourite subjects were music and english. She says that she comes from a very musical family. “We’ve all been vocalists throughout the generation. My Grandfather was classed as Scotland’s Bing Crosby and my Mum was a fantastic singer and sung on the circuit and had opportunities to take it further but was always too nervous. She never had the confidence to grab and run with it but I think each generation gets that little bit more experience so hopefully I can pick up and fly the flag for them and maybe achieve something for all of us.�

What is your proudest achievement to date?

She says that one of her proudest achievements was when she won the Child Of Achievement Award. “It was my school that put me forward and I had to go to The Guild Hall in London to collect my trophy. That was quite a momentous time for me because it proved to me that everyone realised how hard I’d strived to get back to my old school because they wanted to put me into a school that was specially designed for disabled people. I could cope with the disability but I really needed to be surrounded by people who I’d always been surrounded by. So that was quite an achievement in itself to fight my way back to school that had no disabled facilities at all and also be recognised for it.�

Who are your musical influences?

Kerry has varied musical tastes. She cites her influences as including Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Talking Heads, The Eurythmics, Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston. “Pink Floyd have great depth and The Eurythmics are one of my all time favourites.� Her favourite album is ‘The Division Bell’ by Pink Floyd and her single is ‘Summer Sun’ by fellow Scots, Texas. To wow the Judges she’d love to sing ‘Woman In Love’ by Barbra Streisand.

What are your hobbies/passions?

Her hobbies also include painting, drawing and craft. She says “I made a dolls house with all the furniture for a little girl. I just love making things. I play a little of the guitar. A five chord wonder!� But singing is her first love. She explains, “Before I broke my back I always believed I would be on the stage dancing but after I broke my back things obviously changed. I still saw myself on the stage but couldn’t really do much dancing so I’d say from 13 onwards I always saw myself as a singer because that was the way of getting myself to the stage again.�

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 bosses have went to extreme lengths to keep the identity of the final twelve acts to appear on the X Factor live shows a secret from the public.

When being ferried from their house to the X factor studios the finalists in question have their heads and faces covered at all times in a bid to add some mystery to the show.

However there is not much that the producers can do to disguise Kerry McGregors wheelchair, and so when the crew were snapped leaving their Battersea home it was pretty obvious that Kerry was through!

An insider said: “Kerry had a good giggle about the fact that it was really obvious that it was her.”