X Factor 2010 Betting: One too many guitars and not enough criticism

X-Factor / Mike Norman / 25 October 2010 / 4

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Cher Lloyd has put in a ‘rap’ every week but appears to be immune from criticism

"It’s clear to me that the judges are protecting Cher Lloyd – probably because she's had some bad press and is only 17-years-old – by giving her excellent comments each week when quite frankly she doesn’t deserve them."

Mike Norman isn't happy today; Matt Cardle was allowed to play a guitar and Cher Lloyd didn't receive criticism for rapping for the third week in a row.

For two years they've clashed over the X-Factor. In 2008, Mike Norman prevailed. In 2009, Jack Houghton made it honours even. Norman's claims of foul-play last year sparked a brawl at the betting.betfair Christmas party. To avoid a repeat performance, the editors have decided to formalise things this year. Each armed with a £1,000 and their We-Love-You-Simon badges, Mike and Jack go head-to-head - tipping their way to a Christmas number one."

I wasn't bowled over by Saturday's show, not in the slightest. In fact, if week two was high on quality, then week three was distinctly average at best, with only two or three acts performing to the standard we've come to expect.

The star of the show - arguably for the third week in a row - was painter and decorator Matt Cardle. He took a huge risk singing Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time, the song that was famously 'killed' by former pop-style reality TV contestant Darius Danesh. But Cardle's acoustic version of the song was lovely on the ear (is that even a saying?) and completely error free, so much so that all four judges were drooling over this year's favourite once again.

But I have a problem with Cardle's performance - not quite in the 'he should be disqualified' type of way, but more in the 'what is going on here?' sense. And that's because he played the guitar. I'm really struggling to remember when another X Factor contestant was allowed to play their own instrument on the show. In fact if I remember correctly, there was once a time when someone turned up at an audition with an instrument and they were told it wasn't allowed. So has the rule changed? If it has then I only wish I was made aware because I'm sure I would have went a lot further than just the audition stage if I was allowed to play my kazoo!

I got a lot of stick - which I welcome by the way - for saying that One Direction performed brilliantly in week two. On reflection they weren't brilliant but they were still good, and they were just about as good on Saturday. For me they are one of the few acts who will get better and better as the weeks go on and I certainly rate them the biggest danger to Cardle.

In this year's Winner market Matt Cardle is available to back at [2.84], just ahead of One Direction ([4.2]) and Rebecca Ferguson ([6.4]) who has come in for support following her excellent performance that had Louis Walsh declaring, "Liverpool has definitely got a brand new popstar".

As Sod's law would have it, John Adeleye - who was my selection to be eliminated in week two - was the fifth act to be eliminated from this year's show. It was noticeable to see that Adeleye - who performed ok I thought - was in one of the two graveyard slots and that now means that he, Storm Lee, and FYD have all been eliminated after performing first or second in that week's line-up.

For that reason then I hope Cher Lloyd gets to sing first or second this week as I just can't stand the girl. It's clear to me that the judges are protecting her - probably because she's had some bad press and is only 17-years-old - by giving her excellent comments each week when quite frankly she doesn't deserve them. Take Cheryl Cole's comments about Mary Byrne for example. Cole criticised Byrne for singing the same type of song week in week out, yet Lloyd has rapped every week but receives praise. How does that work? Tell Lloyd to sing, not rap, and if she can't do it, let's have her off the show.

With only one act being eliminated last week it means my £30 back of Paije Richardson in the 6th Elimination market still stands. I'm not too happy about that but such is life.

Wagner is the [3.2] favourite in this market but I'm in total agreement with my friend (or is it foe?) Jack Houghton on this one. Wagner is rubbish, but he at least gets people talking - and more importantly, voting - which is more than can be said about similar rubbish acts Belle Amie ([3.4] to be eliminated this week) and Paije ([8.0]). You've also got to understand that some of the voting public are completely bonkers, so whilst there are some 'boring' rubbish acts still in the competition, Wagner - in true Jedward style - is likely to last a bit longer yet.

Betting bank running total = £370
This week's recommendations

£30 BACK Paije Richardson at [5.4] in 6th Elimination market

Previous recommendations

£50 BACK Aiden Grimshaw at [5.8] in Winner market - OPEN
£30 BACK Treyc Cohen at [19.0] in Winner market - OPEN
£100 BACK Rebecca Ferguson at [5.2] in Winner market - OPEN
£50 BACK Aiden Grimshaw at [12.0] in Winner market - OPEN
£75 BACK One Direction at [5.8] in Winner market - OPEN
£75 BACK Simon Cowell at [3.5] in Winning Mentor market - OPEN
£100 BACK One Direction at [4.0] in Winner market - OPEN
£60 BACK Treyc Cohen at [4.7] in Girls market - OPEN

£30 BACK John Adeley at [7.6] in 3rd Elimination market - LOST
£30 BACK Wagner at [5.2] in 3rd Elimination market - LOST
£30 BACK Paije Richardson at [5.4] in 5th Elimination market - LOST

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ac | 25 October 2010

Didn't Olly Murs play the guitar last year? didn't Katie play the keyboard in the first show? More to the point, didn't Wagner use the bongos in week 2?!

There have been others who have played the piano over the various series too...
Anonymous | 25 October 2010

Ben played his piano in Series 3 and Journey South played guitar in Series 2
Anonymous | 26 October 2010

if you watched the first live show youd know that katie waissel played the piano aka an instrument. clearly there allowed to play instruments now
Mike | 26 October 2010

Thanks for the reminders guys. As I alluded too, it wasn't a criticism that Matt played the guitar, more of a query.

I'd completely forgot abut Journey South, those were the act that should have sprung to mind.

As for Katie, I was aware of the piano but I was under the impression she wasn't playing it, it was there just as a prop. Having watched the clip again I'm convinced that she wasn't playing it.

But thanks for putting me right. I'm getting on a bit now and the memory isn't as good as it used to be :-)