X-Factor Review: Cutie-Pie waits in the wings to destroy Alexandra's dream

X-Factor / Mike Norman / 30 November 2008 / 2

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Mike Norman is smitten with Alexandra and believes she deserves to win this year's X-Factor. However, a certain contestant may be poised to scupper Mike's girl's dream

No lessons needed, here beginith the truth.

Alexandra is the best performer on this year's X Factor. Forget all this nonsense that she has a poor tone in the lower regions and that she lacks control and finesse (of her voice I'm assuming). If you're going to oppose her in the Winner market, then please don't do so on this ridiculous suggestion.

As she proved on Saturday, Alexandra is a sensational singer who can pull off absolutely any kind of song - and she can dance and entertain too, unlike certain other female contestants.

She is the only person left in the competition who, in my biased opinion, has put in faultless performances every week. Her vocal range is incredible, she is a very humble and pleasant girl, and she looks and acts like a true star.

These remarks are not based on hindsight because of the fantastic comments she received from the judges recently. This is a view I've held since I saw her audition in September, a view that I was happy to share at the time.

Alexandra has now took over as the favourite to win this year's X Factor, but her strong performances and her odds of [2.56] to win by no means make her bomb proof. This is because that cutie pie Eoghan ([3.95]) is still lurking in the wings.

I find it amazing that someone can win such a high profile singing competition because, as Cheryl Cole put it, everyone thinks he is so cute. He won't be cute in five years time when Alexandra is having hit after hit, but he will still be an extremely average singer.... and no doubt a largely unheard of one. My colleague Jack Houghton is the betting expert around here and he has correctly recognised that it's not the always the best singer who wins this competition, it's often - like Eoghan seems to be - the most appealing one.

As for Diana Vickers ([3.65]), last week I was beginning to like her, this week I'm dead against her again. Louis Walsh was absolutely correct in his condemnation of Diana's refusal to move any part of her body during her performances other than her hand. In fact, I'm beginning to think she is a robot that gets programmed for a three minute rendition every week - unfortunately the word 'dance', always seems to be omitted from the program.

JLS ([12.5]) make up the final four acts and I for one am delighted they are there. I'd love to see them make the final (at the expense of Eoghan or Diana obviously) but they will have to improve a lot on Saturday's performances. They followed their opening challenge to hit them one more time (I wish someone would have accepted if only to stop that dreadful song) by singing a song dressed as four ice-cream salesmen. Come on boys, you're better than this.

The 9th Elimination market has yet to materialise, but expect JLS to be favourites to go, and don't forget to check these pages later in the week for Jack's thoughts on who he thinks will wave goodbye to the competition.

Finally, I had my back put out of place this week by insinuations from a colleague that I was a rubbish tipster and that I would never have my own premium rate phone line. "We'll see about that", was my Dunkirk-like reaction!

Unfortunately for me, at the same time that I was putting together my expert X Factor betting advice I was also penning a letter to Dear Deidre about some problems I was having in the bedroom department. Imagine my horror when I realised that I had sent the X Factor advice to Dear Deidre and the details of my personal problems to the guy who puts together my phone line.

As you would expect, Deidre was non too complimentary about me when she read my letter advising people to spend all their Christmas savings on backing Alexandra Burke.... then to go out and get lashed on the winnings. However, it wasn't all bad. I got some great feedback from my phone line - apparently some desperate punters were touched by my heart-warming story that life isn't all a bed of roses, especially when you come first all of the time. Keep smiling.

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SLou | 04 December 2008

Have to agree about Alexandra now she is looking the real deal, though whether she wins is a completely different matter.

Very funny ending to the blog by the way hehe.
Christina Nicholas | 05 December 2008

I agree thast from among the remaining contestants Alexandra is now the best and for this reason I would predict her win. However, Cutie-Pie was even better and it is her who should be the winner! She had incredible voice versitility which made her good for jazz songs as well as for pop and other kinds. Her voice colour was rich and very warm and edearing, something very uniqe and distinguishing (whereas Alexandra's voice could be copied)
Diana is a like a poppett, dshe has most iritating manerism with hand and posturing, her voice is flat and shouty and she does not move sufficiently well.
Honestly JLS and Alexandra are the only two candidates for the winning award.
To avoid public's voting blunders like in the case of Laura, the judges panel should have some sort of discretion to intervene. Re4sults would b e fairer.