We are going to let you into a secret….come here…move closer…..now don’t tell a soul!

Last years X Factor finalist Robert Allen will make an appearance later in this years series of the X Factor, but we are warned that we will see a big change in the cheeky chappy.

We asked Simon Cowell if we could expect to see any familiar faces during the X factor four auditions and he told us that soul singer Robert Allen came along, although just as emotional support for his girlfriend who was singing for the judges.

Well according to Simon, his girlfriend was not up to scratch and didn’t make it to bootcamp, and it seems that Robert, complete with dark glasses and a menacing snarl, was not too happy with the judges decision. Simon told us to watch out for him in a later episode and we can be sure of a shock.

I find this a bit weird, as when we interviewed Robert last year, he could not have been more helpful, nice or accommodating….strange! Many previous auditionees have been complaining over on our forum about the manipulation of the X Factor cameras….could this be another case? Robert came across so well on TV last year and was so easy to chat to when he was voted off. Can someone change that much in a year? What do you think?

Anyone who watched last years UK X Factor series will remember the talented Robert Allen.

Robert had a fantastic voice (at least 100 times better than Ray Quinn’s!), however it would seem that talent is not everything, and Robert fell way short of making it to the final of the show.

It’s a pity, as Leona Lewis, the winner, has landed a £1 million recording contract along with a promising US career. Robert on the other hand was last seen singing in a club in Magaluf….it could be worse I suppose. He could have ended up on the dole!

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)

Leona Lewis’ mother has recently claimed that the X factor is racist and because of this her daughter will never win.

GMTV’s Fiona Phillips also believes that the Great British Public have been displaying racist tendencies while voting in shows like the X factor and Strictly Come Dancing.

After last nights shock eviction of Robert Allen many people have claimed that this failure to vote for Robert, who was definitely one of the most talented people on the show, proves that racism is alive and well in the UK.

A few weeks I would have strongly disagreed with this analysis, but now I’m not so sure. Our voting behaviour is certainly not based on talent or merit, so how do we choose who to vote for?

I’d be interested in hearing other peoples view on this matter. Do you think the British Public are racist at heart?

In Tabby and Brad’s absence (happy birthday ) 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 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’

Its chart time of the week….so here we go:

1) Leona Lewis: Of course! She was amazing tonight and I couldn’t agree more with Simon’s comment “That was world class!”

2) Robert Allen: Robert sang ‘Always and Forever’, a song that meant a lot to him, the last time he sang it was at his sisters funeral. Robert’s vocals were soulful and strong and almost hypnotising.

3) Ben Mills: Ben had a shaky start to his version of ‘Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing’ but he quickly recovered and this song was right up his street.

4) Ray Quinn: Ray’s swing version of ‘Crazy Little Thin Called Love’ shouldn’t have worked, it should have been awful….but it wasn’t. It was fun and energetic and engaging. This boy can work a crowd!

5) Nikitta Angus: This version of ‘Last Dance’ was Nikitta’s best performance to date. She showcased her vocals at the start of the song and then she just took off as the tempo lifted. The judges liked it for once and Nikitta was thrilled!

6) The MacDonald Brothers: Tonight the Maccy D’s gave their strongest performance to date. I knew within a few bars that they were going to do well this evening and I think that for once Louis picked a good song for the boys that showed their personalities off well.

7) Eton Road: I love Eton Road but Louis let them down tonight. The vocals were great as always, but the dance routine was too corny and very stilted. Eton Road are a funky band and this was song not in their style at all! Anthony’s solo in the middle was majorly strange. It did show off his vocal range but it didn’t fit in the song and it was just bizarre.

Ray – Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Robert – Always And Forever
Nikitta – Last Dance
Eton Road – From Me To You
Ben – Don’t Want To Miss A Thing (so Ben obviously had a blonde moment on the radio this morning!)
Leona – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
The MacDonald Brothers – She’s The One

I have just finished with my weekly dose of Xtra Factor: The Aftermath and thankfully I now know what songs lie ahead for the contestants in this weeks show.

I can spend the next two days debating the judges choices and wondering how they will all measure up. Roll on Saturday!

The song choices are:

Eton Road: With Love From Me To You

The MacDonald Brothers: She’s The One

Ben Mills: Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing

Leona Lewis: Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

The song choices for Ray, Robert and Nikitta weren’t revealed on the show, maybe the judges are trying to maintain the element of surprise!

What I can tell you is that Ray will be singing in a ’swing’ style…..yet again! That should please Louis.

Tell us what you think! Jump over to our forum and hera what everyone else thinks of this week X Factor songs!

Mum of X Factor contestant Robert Allen has told papers that Robert has vowed to ignore upsetting stories in the national press about his family.

His mum Aldith told the Recorder: “He was upset by a nasty story last week saying he was going for the sympathy vote by talking about his unborn baby. There was also a comment knocking his pregnant girlfriend.

“He’s being brave but it’s been tough. Robert realised he could be in for some stick in the papers but he didn’t think his family would be too.

“I’ve told him he’s got to be strong and focus on what he does best, which is singing.”

Aldith continued: “It’s been a stressful week for Robert. He was sure he’d done enough to escape this week. It left him very deflated.

“Nobody can understand why he keeps being in the bottom two, especially with some of the others left in the competition.”

“He lives to fight another week, and hopefully this will be the end of his bad luck,” she said. “Robert is good enough to make it to the final, I just hope people vote for him.

“He’ll get people swooning this week and will carry it off. I’m begging people to vote.

Andy Abraham has warned ‘X Factor’ contestant Robert Allen to calm down or he risks being voted off the show.

Andy said: “I think Robert needs to calm down his enthusiasm. I think what Simon Cowell said is right – sometimes he can come across a bit comical.

“The songs and performances are great, but the jumping about he needs to stop.”

Andy, who is releasing his second album, ‘Soul Man’, this month added: “I think if the soul angle worked for me there is no reason why it can’t work for him. There is space for somebody else.”

..but that winner won’t be Ashley McKenzie.

To be honest, he was lucky to survive last week, he’s never really fulfilled any of the potential he showed at his audition, and it was only really the Rod Stewart week where he showed any kind of spark – and I’m not sure if thats because I hadn’t really heard the song before, so had no preconceptions about how it should sound.

If you want to see my run down on all the contestants last night, you can click here: Live Show no 4

I truly feel that Ashley is out, not just because of his rather arrogant attitude, but because Simon let him down with some appalling song choices. Moonwalk last week was just horrendous, and last night’s song was abysmal. He couldn’t cope with the lower register, his phrasing was odd, it just didn’t sound right.

I think when Simon watches the show over, he will realise that Loius had no choice but to send Ashley home.. never mind giving him the evils Simon! It just makes you look ridiculous and you’ll have to have Botox to get rid of the frown marks on your forehead if you ain’t careful.

What on earth was Robert doing in the bottom two though? Sharon must be wondering what the British Public are upto. When we still have travesties in the competition such as the MacDonald Brothers (STOP VOTING FOR THEM – ITS NOT BIG, ITS NOT CLEVER) and Ray (SWINGERLOO IS WRONG ON SOOOO MANY LEVELS!), I can’t understand why acts which at least have potential, like Ashley and Robert, are in the bottom two.

Most bizarre.

The show has finished, we have no idea who will leave tonight, but here’s our Unreality TV weekly X Factor chart.

For a rundown on each individual performance including judges comments, jump over to our forum and let us know what you thought of tonights show!

1) Leona Lewis: Leona Lewis took on Chiquitita tonight and until I heard her I wondered if she could make it interesting. However Leona made the song sound like a completely different song, she sounded vulnerable yet confident all at the same time and her vocals were astounding (as always!).

2) Robert Allen: Robert Allen tackled ‘Take A Chance’ as part of tonights Abba week and I thought he did Abba proud. Robert is a superb performer and an excellent vocalist and I don’t think there is a song he can’t sing!

3) Ray Quinn: I loved Rays performance of Waterloo tonight, he was cool, confident and very very suave.

4) Eton Road: I didn’t think it was the boys best performance, but I think much of that was down to sound problems rather than their vocals.

5) Ben Mills: Tonight Ben sang SOS in a soft rock style and I didn’t think it worked. His vocals were spot on, but he looked uncomfortable and I didn’t like the arrangement very much. I don’t think the Abba theme did Ben any favours this week.

6) Nikitta Angus: Tonight I thought that Nikitta failed to nail the song she performed. In theory ‘Dancing Queen’ should have been just up her street. But it didn’t allow her to show off her vocal range, if anything her tuning was out at times. I hope that people will vote for Nikitta and that next week she gets a song that truly suits her.

7) Ashley McKenzie: Tonight Ashley sang ‘The Winner takes It All’ as part of the X Factor Abba night. I didn’t like it, I thought his tuning was off in the lower aprts of the song, I thought he looked scared and entirely uncomfortable. I think Ashley could do very well in the music industry at the moment and I think Simon could make a lot of money from him, however he failed to shine tonight.

The MacDonald Brothers: Tonight the MacDonald Brothers sang ‘Fernando’ and I think Louis did them a HUGE disservice by giving them this song! It is a boring song and this week we needed to see a bit of MacDonald soul, we didn’t. They were in tune and sang nicely, but it wasn’t enough to make me want to vote for them.

As you all know this weeks X Factor show will be following an Abba theme. The judges have chosen the songs for their contestants, so for the curious ones amongst you here they are:

The MacDonald Brothers – Fernando
Eton Road – Does Your Mother Know?
Ben Mills – S.O.S
Robert Allen- Take a Chance On Me
Ashley McKenzie- The Winner Takes It All
Nikitta Angus- Dancing Queen
Leona Lewis- Chiquitita
Ray Quinn- Waterloo

The mum of X Factor contestant Robert Allen, has revealed that she thinks he will breeze through this weeks Abba themed show as he was raised singing Fernando with his wooden spoon!

Aldith Allen said: “Something tells me Robert’s going to be fine this week. I loved Abba and he was always singing one of their tunes. He’ll be able to handle it well, and I think he’ll put his own stamp on it. He’ll give it the special touch.”