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MSN X Factor BlogDecember 24 And Finally...Leon Jackson has just wiped the floor with all comers and hit the charts at Number One! Jackson sold 276,000 copies of When You Believe, which is the highest total for any 2007 track (almost five times as many sales as the 'number two' duet by Katie Melua and Eva Cassidy. Jackson told BBC Radio 1, "It's been a great ending to a fantastic year and it's just the best Christmas present I could ever wish for."
What more can I say - Job done! Join me in the new year for the Dancing On Ice and Big Brother Hijack Blog... Merry Christmas! Selena x Selena Ledgerton Cooper MSN Reality TV Blogger December 18 What A Nightmare!So all in all, it's been a hell of a ride! Judges meet auditionees, auditionees are sliced and diced... Surviving auditionees sing their little hearts out, judges cut them down to twelve... Twelve auditionees battle it out, judges break their hearts and crush their dreams... Final three reach the final, winner is chosen... AND THEN WHAT? What happens now people? Ofcom are investigating complaints about Rhydian's phone lines and the phone voting system, the X Factor wrap party went ahead and Rhydian didn't go and to top it off, The Sun claims that Rhydian's dad believes "it's all a fix! Most of Wales couldn't get through." ITV insist that there was no problem with the lines whatsoever. From previous reports Rhydian is not a sore loser and has said he does not want to be associated with any of these reports. From here in, it just gets worse...
Leon has been through the mill thanks to these voting issues. I can only imagine how he feels and his nerves must be shot! Every performance he's made this weekend has been critiqued by the national papers and online. THEN he's had a real nightmare, as his single was MISSING from the midweek sales charts and representatives blamed 'data reporting issues' (whatever that means). The midweek chart figures state that Katie Melua and Eva Cassidy's duet will be the Christmas number one, but this is an error and when all of the figures come through from across the country and online (at the end of the week), Leon will be miles ahead.
It's all very strange isn't it? What on earth is going on? Can you smell something fishy? I smell something that's for sure! Oh well... We shall have to wait and see. Only time will tell... I hope you have enjoyed the blog and keep popping back. I'll be here to post the lastest news and goss as it happens (especially about this voting lark!) As always, feel free to leave your comments (but keep them clean please) - Can you believe I had to delete over 90 messages from yesterday's post (they were all from four people). This is a family blog for fans of the show, please do not swear x Hope to see you soon on both the Big Brother Celebrity Hijack and Dancing On Ice Blogs. Have A FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS!  Hugs Selena x Selena Ledgerton Cooper MSN Reality TV Blogger December 17 X Factor Voting InvestigatedOfcom are investigating numerous complaints about X Factor voting on Saturday night. Click here for the full story and pop back to let me know what you think. Back in a mo! Selena x Selena Ledgerton Cooper MSN Reality TV Blogger December 15 The Live Final!Here we go... Are you ready? It's Scotland V England V Wales tonight and each act managed to return home to rally support from friends and family. Same Difference returned to Portsmouth and performed in their old junior school and town centre. They're up first and perform All I Want For Christmas Is You. Oh my God they're wired up!! Same Difference fly into the air and illuminate a Christmas tree, how fab! It just gets cheesier as they sway with all of the dancers and then a ton of kids run on stage and dance around. You have to love 'em guys, I can't fault the vocal and they put on a great show! Cheddar rules!
Even Louis (the SD hater) said it was a great start to the show. "You have big smiles and I didnt think you were gonna make the final, but people out there love you!" Both Dannii and Sharon agree that it's the best show opening ever and Simon, well Simon just loved them! "I love this song, I never had presents as a child at christmas time you see. You are coming into this final as the underdogs. It's England versus Scotland and Wales tonight and maybe England is gonna cause an upset tonight. Talk about rallying the troops eh Simon? Leon returned home to Scotland and (bless him) he couldn't get in the door to perform at his local shopping centre. There were 11,000 people! He performs White Christmas and it's a great choice for his range, but sadly the song itself is bland. It's a little slow for the final, though Leon did spice it up towards the end with some SUPER POWER BELTING! Louis insists that he should make a career from this, Sharon says he should have a hit single and Simon thought it was smooth. It would have been nice for Simon to stop there, but it wasn't to be. "The start was nervous and the last twenty seconds were the best. If I had to be honest I would say 1-0 to Same Difference". Bless Rhydian, he deserves to win this for his voice alone. The VT runs as he returns to his Welsh homeland and you can really understand where he's coming from. His whole village had come out to meet him and then he was totally overwhelmed by the reception in Cardiff. He's so humble. He sings Oh Holy Night and I love it! He has SO much passion and you can see how much he wants it. His vocals were flawless as always and as pure as snow (sorry!) Louis thinks Rhydian can be an international star, Sharon says that he is divine and Simon admits the prize should go to Rhydian if it was for consistent performances. It's hilarious when Dannii tells "if you're free on Christmas day, you can come to the Minogue house and sing that". Rhydian turns to his parents in the audience... "Sorry mum, I'm going there!" I have to say, I don't think Rhydian's hair can get any whiter! The duets are up next... Can't wait! Sorry can't type, I'm singing along with Same Difference! LOVE IT! They belt out Any Dream Will Do with Jason Donovan and hold on... Here come the swaying, singing children with the candles. What did I tell ya? Sean loved singing with Jason and told him tha this was the first single he ever bought. When asked what he thinks of Same Difference, Jason says, "they have so much heart. Music is about fun and that is what this show is about, making fun music. We get paid to enjoy what we're doing!" Well said Jace! Who's next? I'm loving this duet lark! Oooh Rhydian... WOW and once more WOW! His duet with Katherine Jenkins was nothing short of sensational! Their voices matched perfectly and it was just a beautiful sound. Rhydian admits that it's a dream come true to sing with Katherine, but Katherine has plenty to say herself... "Isn't he amazing. I'm sure he has a career in this business, I've loved singing with him. It's been a pleasure". Rhydian is chuffed to bits and who can blame him! Time for the ads.. I'm off to dip my fingers in cold water. They're on fire! 2 secs... Poor Leon... He sings Better The Devil You Know, but is totally upstaged by the wonder that is Kylie! Even the cameraman can't take his eyes off her and it's just like I predicted in my previous post, he's very nervous. To be honest, I think Kylie wearing nothing but a body stocking didn't help either. Thankfully (as always), Leon pulled it back toward the end and I was impressed with the swing version of the song (I thought I'd hate it!) HOW HILAROIUS WERE THE AUDITIONEES? As is the case every year, producers gathered up the classic auditionees from every region and they stepped out in force. Singing One Moment In Time it was pure genius and car crash TV combined. Remember the girl who's dad made her skirt for her, the 'No Way' girl and the tiny Japanese lady that Simon wanted to take home with him (she couldn't sing, but was just that cute) - They were all there and it was a side-splitting performance. I held my breath at one point when the young girl (with the skirt) was carried onstage via a huge thrown and four hunky guys. The throne slipped and I thought they were going to drop her. Did you see it? I screamed and Sharon Osbourne had her head in her hands - It was frightening! Time for the final performances. It's their favourite songs from the series... Same Difference perform Breaking Free and although it's a little delicate for me, it works. They're so emotional by the end of it and seem relieved that it's their final song. It's no surprise though, all of the acts have been through the mill this series. Simon sums it all up, "we didn't win the football this year and I'm not Italian, but I think for you to win this for England would be fantastic. I know you two would be so happy to win this". Sharon agreed and begged her mum to let the kids vote for Same Difference. This was my favourite song from Leon (when he sang it previously). He performs You Don't Know Me and I love it, his tone is perfect for this song. He's so smooth! All of the judges agree that it was his best performance and Simon says it was "sensational. That was when you turned it around for me, when you sang that song." Me too Simon... me too! Well b***er me, what can I say! Rhydian just floored me with Somewhere. It was just awesome. Go on Rhdian! Louis says "you are world class, you have it all and you deserves to win this. Andrew Lloyd Webber is gonna call you on Monday, but don't take his call". Simon says that it was simply "Brilliant! I have to agree with Louis. If the prize goes to the act with the best singing voice, you should win it". What can I say? There are your finalists guys and what a show it's been. I think it will be such a close call between Same Difference and Rhydian (for totally different reasons obviously!) and Leon will be third. I would love to see Rhydian win, but I know he'll fly regardless. The question is, if Rhydian is going to be a star anyway should Same Difference win the grand prize or should it be credit where credit's due to the Riddler? Will SD be massive if they DON'T win the show? Then again, that's just my opinion - What's yours? Let me know... NEWS FROM XTRA-FACTOR - Sharon thinks the performance of the night goes to Rhydian with Somewhere. - Louis says that Rhydian or Leon should win and Simon thinks it's no surprise. He tells the public, "if you hate Louis vote for Same Difference!" - Futureproof have a house together now and are working on their music.
- Hope, Alisha, Kimberley and the gang are enjoying gigging.
- Andy is working on his music and also has a calendar available ladies!
- Rhydian takes a moment to thank all the people in the 'UK' (as well as Wales) for voting for him.
- Leon is overwhelmed after his performance with Kylie, "I loved it!" - Same Difference were worried about opening the show and terrified of flying. Sarah said, "Now I love it, I want to be supergirl". Can these two get any cuter? - A whole ton of celebrities send their best wishes to the finalists, but Rhydian is gobsmacked when Andrew Lloyd Webber appears. He wishes him well and says he'd make a cracking phantom! I'll be back for the results - Who wins? THE RESULTS: OMG, Rhydian and Leon are through to the final two! What a shocker Same Difference are out! I'm gutted SD have gone first though... Both Sean and Sarah say they've had the best time. Simon thinks they are genuinely nice people and it's not the end for them (yeah, I can hear the tills ringing already Simon). Enjoy yourselves guys and rake in the readies. We love ya! Now the final two must perform When You Believe and the lines are reopened... So let's get down to brass tacks shall we? Either of the boys could take this. Dermot has just revealed that there's only 1% in it and that's no surprise when you think about it. These boys have two totally different styles, musical backgrounds and voices. Their demographics are on opposite ends of the spectrum too. I loved Leon from the start, but I think I have to go with Rhydian. His performances have been both consistent and amazing. The main reason I'm opting for Rhydian is because of the winners song. I thought it suited Rhydian's voice perfectly and with the current trend in uplifting ballads, I think he might just edge it. Leon's performance was fantastic, but as before he was nervous at the start and gained confidence toward the end. The winner needs to act like a seasoned performer, they'll be performing all over the country from next week. Rhydian's final performance was just in a different class. I just hope he still gets the votes after Andrew Lloyd Webber said he'd make a great phantom. What more can I say, time to wait for the result... Lines are now closed. Hang on... I think Leon is gonna win this you know. Don't ask me why, but I'm very suspicious all of a sudden. The judges have just spoke to Rhydian after his performance and Simon said "if that's the last time you sing that song, what a way to go". Then Dannii said, "it's been a pleasure working with you". You would think they know who's won before we do? It's like they're saying goodbye to Rhydian. What's up with that? Here we go! The winner of X Factor 2007 is... LEON! Leon is speechless and can only say "thank you". Rhydian is gutted (so am I) and says thank you to all who voted for him. "I have had a fantastic time and some things are just meant to be. Leon is a fantastic singer and a real character". Kudos to you for being so humble Rhydian. Leon sings the winners song once more and I have to admit, it's much better second time around. It's almost like he's let go of all the tension and fear now he's won. After his performance Leon bursts into tears and says, "I persued this because I loved singing and I wanted to change my mum's life... Now I have!" Well done Leon! Just don't let that music biz eat you alive. They decide whether you're a Michelle McManus, a Steve Brookstein, a Shane Ward or a Leona Lewis. What do you think MSN blog fans? Which way is this going to go? Look into your crystal balls and make your predictions... Dare I say, I think we'll be hearing more of Rhydian! Leon is a lovely guy with a great voice and personality, but watch the show again tomorrow guys - he had a lot of bum notes! As the winner, he better polish his act and work on his nerves or he won't last five minutes - Maybe less! His saving grace is how much he's improved from the start of the show... Just cross your fingers that he keeps improving. I'll be back on Monday with the final round-up. I hope you have enjoyed the blog guys, I've loved it! I'll be back real soon so keep your eyes peeled... Selena x Selena Ledgerton Cooper MSN Reality TV Blogger Don't miss a trick - Add MSN Reality TV Agent to your IM December 14 Countdown To The FinalWARNING SPOILER ALERT! Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock... Just one day left until the final. Is it just me or is this going to be a close one? Personally, I can't wait for Saturday night and although I think Same Difference are the most likely to win, I'm still not convinced that it's a done deal. For one thing the 'duets with the stars' will be a huge vote grabber and each performance will depend on how the contestants handle the pressure! Could you bop your socks off and hold a tune opposite Kylie? Then you have the song choices... If you ask me, they all seem pretty good and from what I hear the duets are crackers too! (But more of that later...) So what do the contestants have to do to win? Well... Leon has to keep his nerve and be consistent. A few weeks ago Leon seemed to have overcome the 'bunny in the headlights' thing and calmed down, but last week the panic stricken face returned and he looked awkward. He can't afford to do that in the final, he has to be consistent through EVERY performance. Oh yeah and can we stop with the Michael Buble comparisons. He is not, nor will he EVER be Michael Buble. It's getting on my wick... With Leon it's not so much about the vocal and all about the delivery! If he can hold his nerve, present us with the beautiful vocals he has before and belt out a classic with Kylie, he could stand a chance. With Same Difference it's just the opposite. They have no problem with performance (that's for sure), but sometimes the extravagant sets and complicated choreography (and props) can throw them off key. It's a bit OTT and you know that their final performances are going to be something special. I just hope they don't let the gimmicks take over the song. I think their performance with Jason will be sensational. I'm guessing that there'll be a lot of swaying and a children's choir... Can you guess what the song is yet? These guys have the best attitude and it's genius to match them up with Jason. After all, he's had such a turnaround in his life and is super-smiley himself at the moment. Come on, who are we trying to kid - If all goes well they could walk it! Now on to Rhydian... This is a tough one! Rhydian can perform his heart out and sings like a pro, there is nothing I can suggest to help him improve. My only hope is that Dannii has learned her lesson and avoids camping him up. If he steers clear of gimmicks and JUST SINGS THE SONG, there's no reason why he shouldn't win. Sadly, perfection may be his downfall. Everyone knows that he'll do well regardless and I'm not sure if they'll vote. For pure unadulterated talent he should win, but I don't think he will. AND FINALLY... If you want to know the songs that the contestants will be performing with the stars, just highlight the lines below... - You Raise Me Up - Better The Devil You Know - Any Dream Will Do Do I ever let you down guys? (For the other songs see the posts below) Join me LIVE tomorrow night from 7.15pm I'll be here for the whole show to blog every moment and chat about the final. What do you think the contestants could do to win? Leave your comments here and don't forget to make your predictions... Selena x Selena Ledgerton Cooper MSN Reality TV Blogger Don't miss a trick - Add MSN Reality TV Agent to your IM
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