X Factor 2011: The final 16 revealed

X-Factor / Mike Norman / 02 October 2011 / 3

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Destined for fame: Johnny Robinson

"Johnny Robinson has an infectious personality and I have no doubt whatsoever - regardless of how far he goes in this competition - that he will emerge as one of this year’s success stories."

It's official, this year's 16 X Factor Finalists have been revealed and the betting is about to intensify. Mike Norman explains...

It was hardly the best kept secret in the world but tonight ITV revealed the 16 acts that have made it through to the live TV stages of this year's X Factor. All bar two or three come as no surprise though there is one notable name missing from the final line-up.

High street bookmakers made 21-year-old Jade Richards their early favourite to win this year's contest immediately after her rendition of Adele's Someone Like You was shown four weeks ago. But hopefully regular readers of this column will have saved their money after I refused to put her on my 'Ones to Watch' list, insisting that she was nowhere near as good as the judges - and the nation the following day - were making her out to be.

Richards didn't make it but if I'm being honest she was better than I originally thought, it just so happened that the other seven girls at Kelly Rowland's house were also very good. In fact, the four that didn't make it could easily have made it to the final in any previous year of the X Factor.

And what all that means is that - as I've said from the outset - the Girls category looks exceptionally strong this year. The four that did make it are 16-year-old Northern Irish lass Janet Devlin, 19-year-old Mancunian Misha Bryan, 19-year-old Sophie Habibis from London, and 16-year-old Middlesbrough girl (that's my neck of the woods) Amelia Lily.

Devlin is my favourite. For one so young she has so much maturity in her vocals, she sings beautifully and is pitch and note perfect every time. Her vulnerability and genuine personality also appeals, and I have to say that at this very early stage she is the one to beat.

I'll be back in a few days to give a full preview of all 16 finalists, betting updates, and selections to win, but I have to agree with Betfair layers who are currently offering no bigger than [1.96] on Kelly Rowland in the Winning Mentor market. If you remember, I advised a wager on her at [2.6] a fortnight ago.

In the Boys category, Gary Barlow had some tough decisions to make but he eventually went for 18-year-old cheeky chappie Frankie Cocozza, 22-year-old biscuit factory worker Craig Colton, 23-year-old former Eton Road singer Marcus Collins, and 20-year-old Liverpudlian James Michael.

Cocozza, Colton and Collins were all on my ones to watch list so whilst I'm delighted to see them in the live TV stages, I'm not convinced that any will become the eventual winner. Cocozza is probably the least talented of the boys purely on vocals, but he has the potential to be highly entertaining and likeable. His confidence and personality should stand him in good stead as the show progresses, and as a result he is the one I like most in this category.

The Groups and the Overs (full list below) look pretty weak in all honesty, though I have to admit to taking a huge liking to Johnny Robinson. He has an infectious personality and I have no doubt whatsoever - regardless of how far he goes in this competition - that he will emerge as one of this year's success stories.

Betfair will have an Outright Winner market up within the next 24 hours which will stay In-Play until the winner is decided so there's absolutely no reason not to get involved by having a flutter on your favourite finalist. Weekly elimination markets also prove very popular, but remember to read the rules and always be aware that double eliminations and big twists can occur at any time.

The 16 Finalists

Girls category - mentored by Kelly Rowland
Janet Devlin
Misha Bryan
Amelia Lily
Sophie Habibis

Boys category - mentored by Gary Barlow
Frankie Cocozza
Craig Colton
Marcus Collins
James Michael

Groups category - mentored by Tulisa Contostavlos
The Risk
2 Shoes
Rhythmix
Nu Vibe

Overs - mentored by Louis Walsh
Johnny Robinson
Kitty Brucknell
Jonjo Kerr
Sami Brookes

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(3)

lindsey warnett | 02 October 2011

at the moment im confused becuase showing the live show it shows sami brookes and not goldie, if itv wanted to do a suprize you wouldnt show sami brookes in the live shows, what is going, it just ridicolous , you cant fool viewers to believe thats there mot no more twist and his simon coming back the live shows as i have heard he his taken one of teh jugdes off, thankyo for pour time
jane | 02 October 2011

I think that Mr Walsh will be the first to lose all singers first poor choice
Mike Norman | 03 October 2011

Hi Lindsey. I don't think the surprise (or the big twist as ITV have put it) is the saga surrounding Goldie. It was announced during last night's show that Goldie has withdrawn from the competition and that Sami Brookes had replaced her, hence why Sami was shown in the 'live shows' line-up.