What I wouldn’t give to be in the X factor finalist’s shoes tomorrow.

Ben Shepard has just announced on the Xtra Factor that X Factor finalists, Leona and Ray, will be duetting in the X factor final tomorrow night with Westlife and Take That.

I wouldn’t particularly be fussed on singing with the Westlife boys, but I really believe I would sell my soul to Simon Cowell for the chance to share that stage with Take That….or even just with Howard Donald!

Ben wouldn’t reveal who would be singing with which band, or what they would be singing, but if I wasn’t already on the edge of my seat….I surely am now!

As they prepare for Saturday’s X Factor final, Ray Quinn and Leona Lewis have spoken about how they are feeling the climax of the series.

Ray said: “What a journey, I can’t believe it. Leona and I have come all the way through Bootcamp and Miami, and I knew all along that she would go all the way and be in the final, but I never thought I would.

“To be able to share it with Leona is amazing,” he said.

Leona said: “This ‘X Factor’ journey has been going on for me for six months now. I cannot believe I have got this far and that I’m into in the final.”

“This final week has been the most intense week, filled with so many different emotions. One minute I am crying and one minute I have been sad, then the next I feel elated and happy. ”

In true Simon Cowell style, the honour of opening the X Factor final this Saturday was decided by a simple coin toss.

Ray Quinn won the toss, but couldn’t decide whether he wanted to go first or second, after a second coin toss it was decided that Ray would perform second, leaving Leona to open the show.

Louis Walsh is certainly not getting his dream X Factor final as he believes neither of the finalist have the ‘X Factor’.

Speaking exclusively to the News Of The World Louis stated:

“Leona hasn’t got a great personality. She’s very, very shy and very normal. Female stars have to have that X factor, otherwise it can hold them back.”
He then shared his thoughts on Ray Quinn saying:

“He has the likeability factor, the mums are voting for him, but I don’t think he’ll actually sell records. He’ll always work, but I think he’s more likely to be in musicals.”

“Sharon has said before he reminds her of a panto boy and I have to say I can see it too.”

After the shock eviction of Ben Mills from last nights X Factor competition, Simon Cowell has control of the X factor final.

Ray Quinn and Leona Lewis will be battling it out next week for the title of X factor winner and for the chance of achieving a Christmas number one single.

In the final show Leona and Ray will perform four songs each. These will include:

A new song
A Christmas song
Their best song of the series
The X Factor winners single

What would you chose as Ray and Leona’s best song of the series so far? I liked Rays My Way, for Leona, I’m just not sure.

I can’t believe how devastated I am that Ben was kicked off last night. Admittedly, I don’t feel it was his best performances - but he was still 3000 times better than the gurning Scouser. (Is Ray lining up toothpaste sponsorship? Or perhaps tissue sponsorship after his murdering of You’ll Never Walk Alone.. I’m not surprised he cried, I was too.. nothing to do with any ‘emotion’ he showed in the song, more that a travesty was being perpetrated in front of my eyes)

I’ve linked to a couple of my favourite Ben tracks here: See Ben Singing One More Time

Perhaps its time for the hordes of tone deaf teenage voters to be removed from the equation? Or at least for their faddish effects to be toned down. Its time that the ‘judges’ were just that - impartial judges, with no tie to the mentoring process (from what I’ve seen, I doubt they actually do that much mentoring to begin with). Their comments SHOULD count for something - perhaps something similar to Strictly Come Dancing, where the judges votes count for half of the final vote - hopefully that would have prevented the ridiculous situation of the MacDonald Brothers being in so long - or for Ray being through to the final two.

Leona sang her heart out last night - probably the best I’ve ever seen her sing, and Simon Cowell must be rubbing his hands in glee at the thought of her being his million pound contract winner. Sharon must be bewildered and amazed that her star talent has gone out (although hopefully this could be a good thing, especially if the rumoured interest from EMI pays out, and Ben doesn’t now have to suffer a year’s ‘management’ from Simon, whose track record with X Factor winners isn’t really that great). I’ve still got my fingers crossed from two weeks ago, when Louis promised he’d get the Eton Road boys a record contract.. and I still maintain that the finallists (if Simon hadn’t done a shock two act eviction) should have been Ben, Leona and Eton Road.. At least I got one of the finallists right (makes a change)

I can’t begin to imagine just how smug Mr Cowell will be feeling this morning - guaranteed a winner, with both of his ‘rival mentors’ left high and dry - lets hope that something with integrity can be dragged out of this whole sorry affair, and that Leona emerges as a true winner.

This is where the X Factor gets exciting and in the penultimate week of the competition the contestants really gave their all.

Here is the Unreality TV X Factor chart.

1) Ben Mills: This is the first time in weeks that Leona hasn’t topped our chart. That isn’t because she wasn’t amazing, she was, as always. But I thought that Ben really gave something a bit extra tonight. It was as if he finally realised how important this was and he injected a bit of oooomph into his performances.

2) Leona Lewis: As always Leona was astounding tonight. She performed faultlessly and passionately and her voice was astounding. I just wish that Simon had chosen some more exciting songs for her.

3) Ray Quinn: Ray was a bit off key in parts tonight and I think the realisation of this is what reduced him to tears. In saying that he was probably the most passionate and believable and I have grown to like Ray more and more each week. He can’t quite match the other two and he shouldn’t get through to the final, but I hope he does well outside the show.

For the rundown on each individual performance and the judges comments and to let us know what you thought of tonights show, just follow the links on the contestants names above!

Louis Walsh has spoken to The Mirror today and offered his professional opinion on each of the three X Factor finalists.

Here’s what he had to say:

LOUIS ON BEN

I LOVE Ben’s voice. He’s different from anything we see on these shows - the long hair, the image. He’s a rocker like a young Rod Stewart or Joe Cocker.

Ben has progressed and taken a few chances. Last week he tried a Queen song a cappella. It was good but would have been better with some music.

He’s consistent but a hard card to read.

He’s shy but he will get the female vote. He has been in bands so he has the advantage over Leona. I knew he’d be in the final. He will go far in the music business.

LOUIS ON RAY

I WOULD never have thought Ray would be in the final three. Never ever. I thought Ben and Leona had so much more to offer.

But of the three acts left he’s the hardest working and the most professional. I’ve never seen anyone so determined.

He’s a great dancer and a good singer. He’s got a great personality and a great work ethic.

I think he’ll end up a star in the West End.

You never know, he might even make the final two.

LOUIS ON LEONA

LEONA is a great singer and there’s an opening for a girl like her in the UK - a big female solo act.

Her voice is amazing. When you think about it, we’ve had Lulu and Dusty Springfield but not many big female singing stars since.

She’s understated and not very confident and that’s why people like her. She takes everything on board, she treats it all very seriously.

I think Leona will do well. Her future in this business is very bright.

The only problem with Leona is that if she wins Simon will be so smug.

These charts are getting easier (and shorter) as each week passes.

They are also becoming more and more predictable. Leona and Ben have topped my personal chart every week and this week is no different to any other:

1) Leona Lewis: I loved Leona’s performance of ‘Could It Be Magic’. It was upbeat and fun. Leona is growing in confidence each week and her version of ‘Without You’ was breathtaking.

2) Ben Mills: Bens first song, ‘I made it through the rain’ was a bit predictable. It started quietly then built to a huge crescendo ending. I liked it but it wasn’t his strongest performance yet. His second song however was a different story. Ben chose to sing ‘Somebody To Love’, accapella style with only a choir for backup. Not only was this brave but it was a wise choice. It was a little different and Ben put his heart and soul into the whole thing.

3) Ray Quinn: I liked the side of Ray we were allowed to see tonight. No cheesiness, no spins, just Ray, singing and meaning it. I still think Ray would be better suited to the West End than Wembley Arena but he was good tonight.

4) The MacDonald Brothers: The boys were clad in tartan tonight…in case any of us forgot where they were from! Their first song ‘Can’t Smile’ was a bit boring and uninspiring but thier version of ‘Shang A Lang’ was at least some fun. It wasn’t overly strong on the vocal front, but the boys enjoyed it and it was nice to see them have some confidence in themselves.

For more information on each individual performance and also for the judges comments, click through on each artists name above.

On tonight’s X Factor show I believe that there were three clear winners.

Both Ben Mills and Leona Lewis performed brilliantly and I loved the contrast between their two songs.

The MacDonald Brothers started off on shaky ground with a rather boring performance of ‘When You Say Nothing At All’ but their second song was excellent. The boys attempt to sing ‘I’m Gonna Be (500Miles)’ should have been awful but it was actually rather fantastic. The looked confident for the first time and even won over Simon Cowell….maybe they can win! I certainly don’t think they will be leaving tonight.

Eton Road were disappointing tonight and I thought their song choices were poor. I liked their first song, the harmonies were strong and it was really fun, but their performance of ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ was a bit boring to be honest. These boys are quirky and individual, Louis should really put more effort into their song choices. i also didn’t think they were just as polished as some of the other acts.

Ray Quinn gave his best vocal performance of the series during his first son ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ and then ruined it by singing Jailhouse Rock. It was predictable and was the kind of thing that ray had done a million times before. i think Ray should stick to showcasin his vocal talent instaed of spinning around the stage.

So here we go, my official X FACTOR CHART! Follow the links on each name for more info on their individual performances and judges comments

1: Leona Lewis

2: Ben Mills

3: The MacDonald Brothers

4: Eton Road

5: Ray Quinn

This weeks X Factor will be following the theme of songs from movies. Each act will be singing two songs.

Tonight on ITV2’s Xtra Factor: The Aftermath some of this weeks songs were revealed:
Eton Road -
Everybody needs somebody to love
Can You Feel The Love Tonight

Leona Lewis -
I will always love you
Lady Marmalade

Ben Mills-
Your Song
Live and Let Die

Ray Quinn-
Jailhouse Rock
The Way You look tonight

The MacDonald Brothers
I’m Gonna Be (500Miles)
When You Say Nothing At All

I have to say Leona’s song choice was PREDICTABLE as was The MacDonald Brothers……if they are kicked out after this week they never will be!

In Tabby and Brad’s absence (happy birthday :-D) y’all have the joys of my X Factor Chat.. so here we go!

1. Ben Mills: Well, it couldn’t really be anyone else. Ben did an amazing job tonight, despite having struggled with laryngitis this week. Brilliant performance, spot on song choice, and he didn’t need to get by With A Little Help From His Friends.

2. Robert Allen: Robert sang You Are Not Alone, the Michael Jackson hit, but with his talent he’ll never be alone. He has such a totally soulful voice, which just shines now he’s curbed his Tiggerlike enthusiasm.

3. Leona Lewis: Her Bridge Over Troubled Water was far from her best performance, and, despite Sharon’s affirmation that it was flawless, there were problems - again with her lower register, and her tendency to screech at the top notes. But when she gets it right, boy does she blow your socks off.

4. The MacDonald Brothers: Yes, I can hardly believe I’ve typed their names in 4th place, and I shall do proper penance. Hopefully, this will be the kiss of death, and they’ll go out. With Love is All Around, they actually sounded tuneful, if a little Cheesy. I fear they will survive to next week.

5. Eton Road: I love the Eton Road boys, and on paper, I Don’t Feel Like Dancing should have suited them down to the ground. But there sounded to be something decidely weird with the sound production during their song, so I have no idea if they were harmonising or not. In all consciousness, and based on Simon’s opinions on the individual vocals, I have to assume they weren’t.

6. Raymond Quinn: Ray was absolutely dire. Livin’ La Vida Loca is about as close to swing as you can get without being swing, but he oh so struggled with the verses. He didn’t even command the stage in the way he does normally, and I feel that he’s just used up his final life.

Once again bookies have named The MacDonald Brothers as the most likely act to leave The X Factor show tonight. However Ray Quinn is named as the second act most liely to get the boot.

Bookmakers Coral said: “Punters have realised that the MacDonald Brothers have nine lives and with their record for survival, it doesn’t look good for Ray.”

Judge Louis Walsh told brothers Craig and Brian to follow Westlife’s example. He said: “They’ve never been cool but they’ve had 14 No1s.”

Rival Simon Cowell hit back: “The MacDonalds are not winning me over.

“It’s getting beyond a joke right now. The more I criticise them the more people vote for them.”

Once again I got my weekly fix of the Xtra Factor tonight and here’s what songs the contestants were rehearsing for Saturdays show.

Eton Road: Scissor Sisstors - I Don’t Feel Like Dancing

MacDonald Brother: Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around

Robert Allen: Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone

Leona Lewis: Bridge Over Troubled Water

Ray Quinn: Ricky Martin: Livin La Vida Loca

Ben Mills: ‘I get by with a litlle help from my friends’

The News Of The World have today released video footage that would imply that both Eton Road and Ray Quinn cheated their way onto the X Factor stage.

The News Of The World reports:

Our sensational shots show the boys auditioning for a showbiz agency in Liverpool just weeks before they appeared on the ITV1 show.

The footage confirms BOTH acts were put together by professional management and entered into the talent hunt in a cynical attempt to fast-track them to stardom.

The tape, in possession of the News of the World, also reveals that scouts experimented with including Ray as a member of the band before choosing to enter him as a solo artist.

X Factor rules strictly forbid contestants to have any management. Last month boyband Avenue were kicked off after it was discovered that they were put together by an agent.

But judging by these shocking pictures Ray, 18, and Eton Road are every bit as GUILTY.

The video does seem convincing, and if the story is true what does this mean for ray and Eton Road. Is it too late for them to be disqualified or will mentors Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh be able to turn a blind eye…..