Fraser Massey, a showbiz reporter for NOW magazine, has recently stated that he isn’t sure the future is bright for the X Factor runners up.

“I think Ben has a chance of putting out an album,” Fraser stated, but he added, “which will sell on Mother’s Day”.

“Ray could also sell up to 300,000 on Mother’s Day,” Fraser continues.

Fraser thinks Leona will do better, but ultimately her shyness will hold her back.

“Leona does have a voice and does have a look but she has things against her – she can’t move and has no charisma,” he explains.

Fraser believes that few of the shows competitors will enjoy long term success in the music industry.

“It’s not a show that’s intended to find stars, it’s a show intended to get ITV ratings.

“You look back at Steve Brookstein – he had a talent but no way of marketing it.”

“There’s not really a history of it unless it’s an act that’s different, like G4.”

Fraser adds, “In Britain, it hasn’t worked. But for Simon Cowell, he has managed it with Kelly Clarkson in the US, so one day it might.”

Fraser, also believes that the earlier an act was voted off the show by the public, the smaller their chances of success.

“For the MacDonald Brothers, I’m not sure it’s really about selling albums, it’s about appearing on TV reality shows, Scottish shows and Hogmanay, things like that,” he predicts.

And for the rest? “They’ll sell on Mother’s Day, maybe that’s enough.”