OK, let’s get started with the night’s liveblogging…Big Band week, one of my personal pet hates about X Factor.

First up is…

Scott Bruton

Scott’s mother tells us that he’s never had an interest in the 9 to 5 – does that translate as “he’s a lazy git and won’t get a real job?”

Looking relaxed on the stage steps, Scott approaches That’s Life with a chirpy grin and is shortly joined by a Westlife in ‘Rat-Pack mode’ style lookalike group. The overall effect, unfortunately, is slightly bland as Scott has been for me each week.

Louis: You’ve got the pop star look but each week I think something’s missing. Danni: That song’s a bit old for you, but you did the best with what you’d got. Cheryl: That was your best performance of the series so far. Simon: You looked nervous, but you showed personality. You showed a bit of grit.

Daniel Evans

Daniel turns on the waterworks in the VT, so get your sympathy on viewers. Worse still – shockingly – he’s having trouble remembering the lyrics. Simon, speaker of truth, says “he can’t win”.

To be fair, this style seems to suit Daniel reasonably well. The verdict from this living room is that he was better than Scott.

Louis: Very good song choice, I loved the big band arrangement. Are you going to sell a million records? You’re not. Cheryl: It’s the first time I’ve seen your eyes sparkle in a performance. Simon: I don’t believe you are better than a lot of the other singers in this competition. Dannii: That was your best performance – everyone was standing up.

Laura White

Fresh from the epicentre of the latest X Factor scandal, Laura White comes to the stage. We’re all very excited. Cheryl’s excites. Simon’s excited…

Despite singing on the flat of her back, (cue jokes about ‘she could do this kind of thing lying down’) Laura starts off well – God Bless The Child is the song in case you were wondering. Amazing performance, probably her best of the series so far.

Louis: Tonight, that was absolutely world class. Better than Diana Ross’s version. Dannii: I would run out tomorrow and buy that if I could. Simon: By any standard I have ever heard, that was incredible. Cheryl: I don’t have to say anything – the crowd reaction and the judges comments say it all.

Eoghan Quigg

We love that Derry accent “Ah cyan’t balieve ah’ve got this far…” And Simon assures us that there will be no ballad! Yay!

So Eoghan is doing a version of L.O.V.E. and we’re already bracing ourselves for a slew of comments about his ‘likeability factor’. But that’s a good thing, as far as we’re concerned, Eoghan is the primary competition for Austin Drage in his age group.

Louis: You’re starting to get cheeky – you;re the one to beat. Dannii: I think that just endeared you to a whole other audience. Cheryl: You has some tough acts to follow, but it was amazing. Simon: You’ve completely changed. Your confidence and the way you made it your own. You’re the best performer by a clear mile.

Ruth Lorenzo

After a stunning 11th hour performance of Purple Rain last week, Ruth is sticking to her guns on the Spanish singing thing.

She comes out, looking a million and one dollars in a stunning red dress, singing  Summertime. Could Ruth be the strongest performer in her age group? I think so. An amazing vocal performance.

Louis: I can’t believe you were in the bottom two last week. Cheryl: You’ve just proved that you’re one of the strongest singers in this competition. Simon: I love a feisty girl! I thought it was your best performance so far. You interpreted the song very well. Dannii: You are fantastic – I love you!

Alexandra Burke

Alex is my favourite. Best looking, one of the best singers, a complete pop star in the making. She’s taking on Candy Man previously heard belting from Aguilera’s mighty lungs – how will Alex handle it?

I’ve been told by Lisa to put my tongue back in my mouth. She’s phenomenal though, wow!

Louis: What a total transformation. You are back in this race. Dannii: [Made some incomprehensible remark, but good comment] Simon: We’ve been waiting for the performance that shows us you are a great artist – and you’ve just delivered it. Cheryl: You proved your individuality tonight, incredible.

Austin Drage

Austin’s upset this week because he wants to be an artist and not just copy other artists. Maybe he should take a look at the track listing of most X Factor graduates – original material is usually lacking.

Austin hits the stage for Mack The Knife dressed in an exceedingly shiny suit. Would it be wrong to admit that I’m starting to like Drage? And this performance is pretty spectacular…over to the judges…

Louis: You totally changed my mind tonight, you remind me of a young Bobby Darin. Dannii: That song enabled you to do what you do best. Cheryl: That was my favourite Austin song of the series. Simon: I thought your voice sounded more authentic tonight, a great great performance.

Dermot is moaning because there’s literally no dissent among the judges tonight. It really is the best production of the series so far.

JLS

JLS get the rat pack treatment too, singing Ain’t That A Kick In The Head. This is a

Dannii: I loved that. Cheryl: I’m in the jealous club – but if I was your mentor those cloaks would have gone. Simon: I thought the performance was great, but the vocals were weak. This could be the first week you’re in trouble.

Diana Vickers

Another one of my favourites, Diana’s concerned about song choice tonight. Smile is the song. A classic.

My worry for Diana is that she seems to deliver faultless performances, and I think the public may start to take that for granted. Tonight’s song is no exception. Jazzy and laid back, she pulls the whole song off with amazing professionalism. Another wow.

Louis: For some reason, you’re the one I always remember. You made a really old song sound new. Dannii: You really do have a great voice, this is so stunning for you. Simon: You managed to make a 60-year-old song sound current. There’s something special about you, Diana. Cheryl: I know this is the most nervous you’ve ever been, you’re a little star.

Rachel Hylton

Dannii tries to introduce Rachel as an amazing soul songstress, but to date we’ve been underwhelmed. Each week, we’re rooting for Rachel to do something special, but she’s fallen short since the auditions. Rachel, we need something special this week…

What’s this? Is that Ella I see before me? Rachel emerges in a real old-school dress singing Feeling Good. And this is is the one – that alchemical mix of right song, right style and right vibe. This is what Rachel Hylton should have been doing all along. OK, the dress looks like all kinds of awful, but we’re being blown away by that voice, so that’s alright!

Louis: You had a tough time the first two weeks. It’s all gonna change tonight, and you’re back in the race. Cheryl: That’s what I’ve been waiting for. Your best so far and you look incredible. Simon: Arguably the best performance of the night. It wasn’t perfect, but you have a rawness and a passion that I absolutely love. Dannii: I love the way you look tonight and I’m so happy for you.

In Summary…

There were so many standing ovations from the judges tonight that you can bet there’ll be a tight finish. Scott and Daniel could have been the weakest acts, and there was that stunning comeback from Rachel.

It’ll be hard to pick a favourite from this bunch. When you consider what a mess Michael Jackson week was last week, this evening of Big Band and swing has been nothing short of amazing.

We’re off to rack our brains and write tonight’s X Factor chart. It won’t be easy! In the meantime, tell us who your favourite was tonight…