In Tabby and Brad’s absence (happy birthday ) y’all have the joys of my X Factor Chat.. so here we go!

1. Ben Mills: Well, it couldn’t really be anyone else. Ben did an amazing job tonight, despite having struggled with laryngitis this week. Brilliant performance, spot on song choice, and he didn’t need to get by With A Little Help From His Friends.

2. Robert Allen: Robert sang You Are Not Alone, the Michael Jackson hit, but with his talent he’ll never be alone. He has such a totally soulful voice, which just shines now he’s curbed his Tiggerlike enthusiasm.

3. Leona Lewis: Her Bridge Over Troubled Water was far from her best performance, and, despite Sharon’s affirmation that it was flawless, there were problems – again with her lower register, and her tendency to screech at the top notes. But when she gets it right, boy does she blow your socks off.

4. The MacDonald Brothers: Yes, I can hardly believe I’ve typed their names in 4th place, and I shall do proper penance. Hopefully, this will be the kiss of death, and they’ll go out. With Love is All Around, they actually sounded tuneful, if a little Cheesy. I fear they will survive to next week.

5. Eton Road: I love the Eton Road boys, and on paper, I Don’t Feel Like Dancing should have suited them down to the ground. But there sounded to be something decidely weird with the sound production during their song, so I have no idea if they were harmonising or not. In all consciousness, and based on Simon’s opinions on the individual vocals, I have to assume they weren’t.

6. Raymond Quinn: Ray was absolutely dire. Livin’ La Vida Loca is about as close to swing as you can get without being swing, but he oh so struggled with the verses. He didn’t even command the stage in the way he does normally, and I feel that he’s just used up his final life.