Here we go folks, the second-last live show of 2008’s X Factor. Tonight, the contestants are free to choose whatever they like to sing. Goodbye to theme weeks and all of that boring stuff that normally trips up the contestants!

First up, is…

Eoghan Quigg

We were talking about this in the house last night, and Lisa said how she thought Eoghan would suit a McFly-style song. And to be fair, he looks a lot more confident rocking out than he did on last week’s High School Musical stuff.

Despite a fairly weak start (on Busted’s Year 3000), he ended on a real high note. Perhaps not as strong as the judges might have you believe, but still a stronger effort than last week.

Diana Vickers

Diana takes to the stage with Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend. Finally, we get a good performance from Diana again. Looking good and sounding good. And did you notice she’s jettisoned the quirky vocals for a more conventional singing style. That worked well for her. Good comeback.

(Sorry guys, I’ve missed the first batch of Judge’s comments for Diana and Eoghan – I’ll go back and update them later)

Alexandra Burke

Here’s Alexandra with a version of Rihanna’s Don’t Stop The Music. I think we’re agreed that the vocals are suffering slightly due to the dance routine, but still this girl puts on a show!

Louis: Last week, you were incredible – this week you’re just as good. You’ve got everything, you must make the final. Dannii: A feirce performance, I loved everything about it. Simon: We may be seeing the birth of a star here. I said it last week – you want to find someone British who you can be proud of and who can represent this country all over the world. Cheryl: That was the best performance of an up tempo song you’ve done.

JLS

Oh, here’s another Rihanna song – Umbrella this time. Aston’s doing a good job singing solo, then he’s joined by the other guys in a Bee Gees stylee. Then it goes all hip-hop. Nice. Hell, they even worked in a backflip. Fair play lads, I always said you were better than people thought!

Dannii: The best performance we’ve had from a band on this show ever. Cheryl: You’ve smashed it, smashed it, smashed it. Loved the Chris Brown slant at the end and thought it was fantastic. Simon: This is arguably one of the most important performances of your lives. You’ve chosen one of the most recognizable songs of the last few years and it was amazing.

First part of the show’s over…

Some feedback from our forum devotees – the judges are being over-enthusiastic about some of the acts tonight. You know, where the compliments they’re bestowing are miles ahead of how good the performances actually were.

Still, everybody’s raised their game tonight, even Diana and Eoghan who were fading last week. Here’s comes the second part – will it be as good?

Eoghan Quigg

OK, Eoghan’s tackling an ABBA song tonight, Does Your Mama Know? He’s dancing on a piano. Tonight’s repositioning Eoghan as a rocker is working well, but we still can’t hear him as well in the mix as we’d like.

Louis: That was a fun performance. You’re only 16 and you’ve no fear. Dannii: I did not get that song choice at all. For me, it slants towards cheesy. I thought it was dangerous song choice. Cheryl: You know what – you bring the fun factor to this show. Well done son. Simon: It’s a great song, biggest band in the world, and it’s your favourite.

I wonder if he’s really an ABBA fan?

Diana Vickers

This second part of the show must be the ‘stand up on something high’ round, because Diana is standing on a stepped platform. She’s singing a Dido classic – White Flag. She looks angelic in a white dress, and the singing is really back on form (okay, until that note. gulp). Nice ending.

Louis: That was a perfect song for you, and I hope it’s enough to get you into the final. Dannii: You are having a strong night tonight. Simon: I preferred the first song to be honest. It’s not my favourite song in the world that. Having said that, you sang the second half of that song well. Cheryl: I believe that you’re a little star in the making.

Alexandra Burke

Aren’t these VT’s a total soap opera, folks? They set it up: massive song, don’t know how she’ll manage this, etc. Then the performance starts, and you know she’s going to walk her performance.

Alex takes the stage looking hella classy, and singing…well, the singing’s amazing. Wow. You know, this girl just blows me away. In exactly the same way Leona did a couple of years ago. Standing ovation.

Louis: You’re an incredible singer, you’re an incredible performer. Dannii: Alex, you are a star. You have to be in the final. Simon: It occurred to me that actually you could leave this competition tonight.  But that song may just have changed everything now. If it is a talent competition, you have to make it through to the final and I hope people vote for you. Cheryl: I want to take this opportunity to thank you for making my first experience here so good.

Cue lovefest between Cheryl and Alexandra, and a little bit of a blub about how people need to get out there and start living their dreams. Vote Alex people!

JLS

OK, the obligatory Westlife-alike part of the competition. JLS get dresses up in semi-casual suits, looking snazzy and Louis is pretending to cry. Seriously he’s pretending. This is ridiculous.

These guys have been turned into a black version of Westlife. I’m sorry, but it’s true. They are the natural successors to Westlife. I guarantee that they’ll pick up the mantle.

But it’s the semi-final, so expect a whitewash from the judges.

Dannii: That was so classy and beautiful, a great song choice, congratulations. Cheryl: That was my favourite ballad of your throughout the competition. Simon: Aston, this is the first time I’ve seen you emotional, but your three mates came in an supported you in the chorus. I’m going to make a prediction – you could actually win this show. The last two performances, you and Alex were in a different league. Louis: I want you in the final so much.

Right, I’ve been watching Cowell send coded messages to the public a lot over the years, and his comment about Alex and JLS is pretty much solid proof that the judges want a two-way final between those two. As I said during the week, they’re both highly marketable. And when you consider that last year’s final three all got signed, there’s every chance that you’ll be able to buy albums by JLS and Alexandra (and possibly Diana) this time next year.

Does this mean Simon has unofficially dropped his support for Eoghan?