This article was written by guest blogger and X Factor enthusiast Max King.

As the sun is about to set on the 8th season of X factor I think it’s time to reflect on this year’s X factor. Many critics have claimed it’s the worst series in a long time, and ratings have been falling. For me however, this series has been the best since Series 5. It hasn’t been as clear cut as usual. There have been genuine twists, and it feels like it’s been a story unfolding, not the white wash that was last year with Matt Cardle winning every single week and being favourite from start to finish.

Week 1, 15 bright young hopefuls, and Johnny Robinson. While the standard was lower than previous years, 3 acts stood out for me in Week 1, Amelia Lily’s performance of Billy Jean I thought was amazingly polished Little Mix’s version of one of my favourite songs Superbass, was a particular highlight for me, I was unsure they would be able to tackle such a difficult song but they did spectacularly and finally, Kitty, a captivating performance, her version of Queen’s who wants to live forever was not as good as Stacey’s version back in 2009, but it was good enough to earn her a spot in my Top 3. But disaster struck, the judges were eliminating their own acts, I’d successfully predicted the first 3 to be eliminated, however Kelly ruined it all when she eliminated Amelia instead of Sophie as planned, a bad start, one of my Top 3 was gone and it was only the first week.

Week 2 was the first week of the phone vote, however it was a dull, there was no stand out performance for me this week. The bottom 2 was good, both acts I dislike intensely Frankie Cokeuser and Nu Vibe, however, I was enraged when the judges sent home Nu Vibe instead of Frankie. Week 3 for me was another disaster; Gary had misread the theme and was taking rock songs and slowing them down to within an inch of their lives. Again the results didn’t go in my favour and I was beginning to lose faith as Kitty was in the bottom 2, luckily Sami was evicted, but it still meant one of my 2 had narrowly missed eviction, it was week 3 and I’d almost gone down to 1 act. Also Tulisa stirred controversy by accusing Misha B of bullying, something I feel, backfired on Tulisa unfairly as Misha was portraying an innocent persona to win votes, and the public had a right to know what she was like.

Week 4, is where this series of the X Factor came to life for me. We saw what the panel would be like without Kelly (a much better place) and the amazing Alexandra Burke stood in (the last act I supported who actually went on to win) We had several “moments” it was a highlight for Kitty, as her performance of Sweet Dreams, was clearly the best of the series so far, and involved her powerful vocals and creative flare. It was also the week where Little Mix’s performance of Katy Perry’s E.T finally got them noticed as having the potential to go far in this competition. The bottom 2, while disappointing that Frankie survived again, was positive as Sophie was eliminated like she should have been in week 1.

Week 5 saw the first twist of the series, a double elimination, speculation was rife that Frankie surely would not be able to avoid the axe for a 5th time, Little Mix were my favourite again with their performance of Rihanna’s don’t stop the music showing their vocals, and showing they were current and contemporary, as opposed to Marcus who sang reet petite. The results were a shocker, favourites to win at the time The Risk came last, then not so surprising was Johnny Robinson and Kitty being in the bottom 2, Kitty survived but I was sure I would lose her soon, and be down to only 1 act.

However with X Factor you can never be sure, Frankie Cokeuser was finally given the boot midweek. A twist was announced, one contestant eliminated in Week 1 would be brought back and immediately, all signs pointed to Amelia. For a few hours, after Amelia was voted back in and gave an amazing performance of The Show Must go on, I had all 3 of my chosen acts again, and it was week 6, a first for me. However it was not to last as Kitty was voted out, and I was back down to 2.

Week 7 saw the previously invincible Craig Colton eliminated, this was a success for X factor, as I am sure Craig’s dull performances were the cause of declining ratings, also we had 2 more of those “moments” I am unable to call who gave the best performance this week. It was between Little Mix singing Don’t Let go, easily the performance they should do again in the final and Miss Misha B, who finally showed this talent all the judges had been going on about since Week 2, singing I have Nothing. Unfortunately, my comeback kid Amelia was in the bottom 2, I was sure that I would lose her soon, as she just hadn’t built the fanbase all the other contestants had.

Another great week, the Quarter final another one of the previously termed Invincibles (Marcus, Craig, Janet) was eliminated, Miss Devlin, who forgot the words for a 2nd time in a row, while singing a kids song from Butlins. Amelia proved she wasn’t a one hit wonder, and her performances of China In Your Hand and Since You Been Gone proved she was still a contender for the X factor Crown. However I was worried for my Little Mixers, they performed first (the death slot) and gave a bad first performance, however there 2nd performance of Beautiful, was well, Beautiful and they sailed into the semi final.

The semi finals, and the bookies were saying Misha B would be eliminated but I wasn’t sure. Yes she was performing first, but Little Mix had overcome that last week, and Misha gave an amazing performance of Perfect. I was worried for my acts as Little Mix had given a bad first performance again, and there 2nd performance while amazing was tactically assaulted by Gary Barlow, and as Marcus still had untouchable status, I thought Little Mix and Amelia would be in danger. Luckily I was wrong and Misha was eliminated. We had another one of those “moments” at the end, when Misha reprised her performance of Who You Are.

I had 2 of my top 3 still in the competition; and Little Mix were the first girl group to ever make the final. Looking to the weekend, my favourites are Little Mix, but equally I would love Amelia to win as well, for me personally, anyone but Marcus, as both Little Mix and Amelia have star potential and will go on to sell records!