Former X Factor winner has given some advice to troubled Britain’s Got Talent runner up Susan Boyle.

Susan Boyle has become a worldwide sensation but has trouble coping with the overwhelming attention.

Leona says the most important thing is to keep your friends areound you.

MSN report Leona as saying:

“It’s good to have a good support network around you and I think that’s the main thing – to have people that you can speak to.”

She added: “I have seen her singing and she sounds awesome so I mean she’s really talented and that’s all that should speak for herself really.”

Former X Factor semi finalist Ben Mills has given a very revealing interview to The Times today, in which he talks about the amount of staging and faking he experience during the 2006 series of the show.

Ben described his time on the ITV talent show as:

“completely surreal. Sharon [Osbourne, then a judge] wanted me to stage a walkout one week to generate a huge tabloid story and get me votes. When I refused, she didn’t speak to me again.”

Ben also revealed that Ray Quinnn and Simon Cowell were often less than honest with the viewers saying:

“Simon always pre-warned me if he was going to spice up the show a bit by slagging me off, but I’ve never forgiven Ray [Quinn, second, 2006, now playing Danny in Grease in the West End] for crying during the semi. I offered him 50 quid not to, but he’d made up his mind. You could almost hear the old ladies at home reaching for their phones.”

Stories like this make me a whole lot more cynical about any shows that Cowell is involved with. Much as I love X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, only a fool would believe that all is as it appears on screen. Did Simon Cowell really not remember Flawless from their performances on X Factor, was he really not aware that Shaheen’s second song was much better than his first and did he ever even fire Louis Walsh in 2007? I’ll let you make your own mind up!

After spending the last two months working in LA on his new album, X Factor winner Shayne Ward has revealed how difficult he has found the seperation from long term girlfriend, Faye McKeever.

“Faye and I are still very much in love,” Shayne told the News of the World. “Being apart is hard. Because I’ve been in LA, I last saw her two months ago. But we chat every day. I couldn’t do phone sex though, that’s perverted!

“I love being faithful to her, but we’re not getting married. I’m young and enjoying life to the fullest. Marriage hasn’t crossed my mind. Faye’s very supportive, she’d never try to put chains on me.”

Do you remember Dennis the Russian guy from this year’s X Factor auditions? I came across his profile on MySpace this evening. It must be pretty new, because he hasn’t got any friends yet!

I thought he was great on the show’s final with all the other rejects. So in the Unreality TV spirit of Christmas, if you’ve got a MySpace account, send Dennis a friend request!

And while you’re at it, why not add us as well?

Well, here I am late at night having watched the X Factor final with a gang of journalists! What a tense final it was too – I was convinced Ray was going to win on teenager votes, but common sense prevailed and the nation has given Leona Lewis a shot at being a recording artist! And the first female X Factor winner to boot!

We were brought into the studio after the show had ended and the last piece of glitter fell to the stage floor, and press were assembled in the little area between the judges desk and the main stage. By the way, the X Factor studio is so much smaller than it looks on TV!

We could hear the Xtra Factor wrapping up in the other studio and then Leona and Simon came back on to the stage.

Simon mentioned that Clive Davis of J Records in America had phoned him some time ago and said that they were watching Leona in the USA and to count him in. Simon was quick to stress that they wouldn’t be making an album quickly with Leona, they’re “going to take the votes of the public seriously”.

Leona was asked if she felt she had the competition in the bag, but said “No, there were actually moments when I thought Ray had won. I only thought I’d won when I heard I’d won!” She also said that she only began to overcome her shyness through experience on the live shows.

When asked about the final song being more suited to Leona than Ray, Simon responded, “We receive lots of new songs for the show, but none of them were up to scratch. Since we never released the Kelly Clarkson song in the UK as a single, we decided to use it. We approached the final 4 or 5 contestants and none of them had a problem with it except Ben, and he was alright after he recorded it.”

It also looks like Ray Quinn won’t be totally out in the cold after his defeat tonight – Simon said “I’m going to have a little chat with Ray after this and I think there’ll be a smile on his face when we’re finished!”

At the point in the press conference, we were told that there had been an amazing 50,000 downloads of the winner’s single after the show and the voting spilt was confirmed as 60/40 in favour of Leona – a complete landslide, and as Simon Cowell said “A clear winner.”

So, after all these long months, Simon is contemplating Saturday nights without X Factor and Leona is hoping to take her family on a well-deserved break.

I ended the night by actually managing to utter a few words to Simon, who shook my hand before leaving the press conference! I’m certain that to the seasoned press crowd, I was totally starstruck!

To top the night off, I witnessed Antony Hannah and one of the others from Eton Road getting papped outside the venue, and got a little bit papped myself….ah showbiz!

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)

Ben Shepard on ITV2’s Xtra Factor just revealed that next weeks theme will be number one hits.

Simon has no idea how he is going to make ray popular again but Louis wants to try Scissor Sisters and Pussycat Dolls songs with his two acts.

I can just see Eton Road singing Pussycat Dolls, but The Macd’s singing Scissor Sisters…….maybe it’s just what they need.

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!

You’ve probably all read the rumours that X Factor producers are seeking to replace Kate Thornton after the current series. Simon Cowell even made a barbed remark on Saturday night’s show when he asked Kate if she was still here. “Just about” was her reply.

Well, I have to say that I’m on the fence about Kate as a presenter, but there’s a group of people who are serious about Kate staying on as presenter – The Keep Kate Campaign.

When these guys contacted me a couple of days ago, their MySpace had only 12 friends. Now they’ve got 171 and counting! Hey, that’s more than me….

Anyway, if you’re a Kate Thornton fan and you want her to stay on as X Factor presenter, then head on over and pledge your support! Although, it seems like they may have already achieved their goal!

Oh, and while you’re at it, add Unreality TV to your friends list too…

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.