Dermot O’Leary has said that it is nearly impossible to predict the winner of this year’s X Factor series, at this early stage.

With the live shows about to kick off tonight, Dermot told The Sun:

“”If you look on paper the over 25s and the girls are very strong. But no-one was talking about Alexandra Burke this time last year – everyone was talking about Laura (White).

“It’s not just a singing contest – you have got to have a personality to connect to the people at home.”

Dermot is concerned for girlband Kandy Rain, who he says need to form a connection between themselves and with the public fairly quickly.

He said: “They are not like JLS who were in it from the start.

“The groups have got a chance if they stay in a few weeks and people get to know them.

“I feel sorry for Kandy Rain. They did what they did for a job and they obviously did it because they needed to earn money. It’s then difficult to go ‘Hey, you can take them round to your mum’s.’”