This weekend the X Factor contestants will pay homage to the great, late George Michael.
The music legend passed away on Christmas day last year aged 53. George's untimely death left family, friends and fans bewildered and devastated.
During his musical career George gave us many iconic songs such as Careless Whisper, Fast Love and Last Christmas not only as a solo artist but also during his days of Wham! alongside Andrew Ridgeley.
George Michael made an appearance on X Factor during the 2009 final. He partnered Joe McElderry singing his classic 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.' Joe went on to win X Factor 2009.
In the past X Factor have also honoured other music legends such as Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. Some acts smashed it while other left us thinking 'they've spoilt that song for me, forever!'
Many George Michael fans will be hoping his songs are dealt with sympathetically and given the respect they deserve.
Not only do the contestants have to worry about honouring a legend this weekend but they also have the added pressure of knowing their numbers will decrease by four. It's double elimination weekend, two contestants will leave on Saturday night and two on Sunday night.
Fans have been left shocked after news of a double elimination next weekend as Simon Cowell attempts to shack up the dated X Factor format.
It was announced there would only be six X Factor live shows at the beginning of the series so we expected to culling to be severe however it appears fans of the show didn't do the maths and never expected four contestants to leave over one weekend.
Last weekend we witnessed Rak-Su winning the Saturday show while Leon Mallet was eliminated. On Sunday Tracey Leanne Jefford lost her place and Kevin Davy White won. Rak-Su and Kevin faced the public vote to win the weekends 'Money can't buy' prize, the public decided Kevin was the worthy winner.
Rak-Su are currently bookies favourite to win X Factor 2017 with Grace Davies, Kevin Davy White and Lloyd Macey hot on their heals.
Despite Cowell's shack up ratings continue to fall, Sunday night saw X Fator gain the lowest ratings since the show first aired. Cowell signed a three year contract last year worth a staggering £150m however, he has now been warned the show could be axed once the contact is over unless ratings improve.
The music mogul has allegedly revealed to the Daily Star "Watch this space. We've got a new show soon. I can't say more but it's still music.”
"You'll like this one we're making. You'll have to wait but you will see more about it soon. We make lots of shows but this is a music show."
Cowell hopes this new show will leave his competition standing. Maybe we can deduce from this statement that X Factor could indeed leave our TV screens after next year in favour of a new Cowell production.
Another weekend of shameful patronising and vile treatment of people ensued once again as the X Factor six chair challenge took to the air.
Allegedly Simon Cowell billed this series as the one that would showcase original artists, those who write and preform their own creations. So why was the hugely talented and popular Benji Matthews, a 17 year old singer songwriter from Cornwall, dumped after a sing off with yet another generic wannabe?
Even after Anthony (Skippy) Russell bowed out of the X Factor process due to allegations of drug taking, fans assumed Benji would take his place at the X Factor Judges House section but it was not to be as Sam Black who didn't make it as far as the six chair challenge was asked to rejoin Louis's Boy Category. An absolute joke!
The six chair challenge has always been controversial but this year it plummeted to new depths. Each and every Judge filled their seats immediately then we witnessed contestants being forced to play Russian Roulette. The stress and anxiety was palpable as those in seats waited to see if it would be their turn to exit the building on the whim of their mentor.
Nichole Scherzinger gave the untalented Slavko Kalezic seat number 4 as soon as his audition ended. As others came, were swapped and went, Slavko remained seated. Loverine Fermino took to the stage and belted out her audition and Nicole in her wisdom chose to swap her with Talia Dean. The Audience went nuts and Nichole was forced to bring her back on stage reseating her in Bill Downs' chair.
The fiasco was endless. Kevin Davy White was given Gary Barker's chair, singer songer writer Jon Lilygreen sang an original song and took Loverine's chair who took Talia's chair earlier. Each time the camera focused in on the X Factor Audience they were screaming number four and holding up four fingers and still Nichole chose to keep him in his seat.
It didn't stop there as Matt Linnen stole Genroy Grants chair and Tracy Leanne Jefford took Jon's chair which he'd only just warmed up. Slavko showed little emotion through this process instead as others averted their eyes during Nichole's contemplation, he didn't seem to take his eyes off her.
It is no wonder why the X Factor ratings have plummeted, it has become farcical. Some have switched off all together while others don't intend watching it until the X Factor live shows.
If you're still watching and feel the need to back who you believe will win click this X Factor Odds link. When backing an X Factor contestant you may like to consider not who is your favourite but who you believe has the best saleability. Up until the X Factor final we really have very little say on who leaves – It's the Colosseum manager, Mr Cowell that holds all the cards.
Here is a run down of all the contestants that will go to the X Factor Judges homes next weekend.
Nichole Scherzinger Overs Category Kevin Davy White Slavko Kalezic Matt Linnen Tracy Leanne Jefford Berget Lewis Talia Dean
Simon Cowell Groups Category Jack and Joel Rak-Su The Cutkelvins Sean and Coner Price Lemonade New Girl Band (manufactured band made up from 5 solo auditionees and a girl picked from a failed group)
The X factor machine just keeps pumping regardless of how cruel the outcome. Last weekend we witness the first X Factor six chair challenge after it was revealed Sharon Osbourne had been allocated the Girls Category. One by one the young ladies, some as young as sixteen, took their place on the stage to give the performance of their life.
More often than not they were asked to take a seat and then told to give it up. Why does this section of the show exist? The judges all know who is going to perform and what they sound like. The only reason for this circus is to humiliate the contestants in front of a baying crowd.
We still have to suffer Louis Walsh with the 'Boys', Simon Cowell and the 'Groups' plus Nicole Scherzinger with the 'Overs.' Oh joy!
After this debacle it'll be on to Judges houses. Apparently the lovely Sinita has been dumped by Cowell for Cheryl Tweedy/Cole/Fernandez-Versini and who knows, the future Mrs Liam Payne. These days she just likes to be known as simply Cheryl after changing her name back to Tweedy.
Nicole Scherzinger will be joined by Stormzy at her judges home while Louis has asked Grace Kelly singer Mika to join him.
Allegedly Sharon in her wisdom is steering clear of any well known singing celeb and has plumped for family first. Kelly and Jack Osbourne will be giving their Mother many years of their music wisdom and experience. Really!!
For those who brave the X Factor torture there may be some fame and a little fortune but nothing compared to that of top man Mr Cowell. Contestants should also consider before taking the plunge that a lot of former winners have been dumped by Syco recording company within the first year. Even those that stand the test of time and then want to move on leave under a cloud.
In 2013 Leona Lewis had a Christmas hit with One More Sleep. She wanted to leave Cowell's record company and sign with Universal Island records the next year. In an open letter to fans she wrote "I was threatened with the fact that if I left, it would come out that I had been dropped. That cut deep, but by this time nothing could stop me from walking away." She admitted her journey had left her feeling "extremely depressed".
We sit at home on a weekend night watching the X Factor, shouting at our TV's, commenting on the judges comments without a thought for the people who go through this process. You may say they get what they deserve and you could be right if we were talking about the confident cocky upstart winning but that isn't usually the case. Winners tend to be the Joe and Joanne Blogs in the process as the X Factor is as much about whose personality we like as how well they sing.
The X Factor has changed much since its inception in 2004 and not for the better. One thing that will always stay the same is Simon Cowell making money off the back of youngsters who don't have a clue what they are letting themselves in for.
On Sunday night Mother and Daughter duo Descendance auditioned for the X Factor. Stating they had been singing together for 3 years Mum Debye and Daughter Hayley took to the floor.
Debye, although facially looking many years younger than her age and dressed like an older teen on a night out didn't have the vocals or the moves of the young trendy daughter.
Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger all agreed Hayley was great. Simon claimed 'It's quite rare to see someone like you [Hayley]. I think the fact you're happy to do this with your mum makes me like you even more. What are we doing here guys? Without being rude, it doesn't work.'
Sharon said Hayley was 'phenomenal' yet the combination was 'odd' while Louis agreed and stated he was only focused on Hayley saying she was an 'amazing performer.'
Nicole told Hayley she was 'super dope and relevant right now' and suggested Debye still be involved but maybe not front of house.
By this time mum Debye was in tears and sobbing over the judges' comments. Hayley said she wouldn't perform without her Mum.
I'm sure we were all expecting Mum to to be gracious and push her daughter forward instead she stood her ground and the X Factor judges grudgingly put the Mother Daughter combo through to the next round.
Since the show X Factor fans have branded Debye as selfish calling for her to stand down and let Hayley proceed on her own.
Most of us know the X Factor is full of fakery and manipulation and I'm sure this situation is no different, manufactured to up the programs presence. Some time ago I heard from someone who represents youngsters who apply to these types of show, they said one of their young lads was told prior to his audition 'if you act upset and mortified that you haven't been chosen to go through there's a strong possibility you will be chosen for a group'.....and that's exactly what happened.
It would be no surprise if this isn't a similar situation. All will be revealed at X Factor Boot Camp.
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