X Factor 2011 (UK show)

[Perdita]

Paddy Power will refund outright bets on Frankie Cocozza in The X Factor following his axing from the competition.

Cocozza departed the competition today (Tuesday, November 8) after breaking a "golden rule" of The X Factor.

The 18-year-old was kicked off the ITV1 talent show and has issued an apology to fans and his mentor Gary Barlow for his "out-of-control" behaviour.

Over £10,000 had been placed on Cocozza to win the competition at Paddy Power and that sum will be refunded.

"Frankie's punters didn't get much of a run for their money so we're only too happy to have a decent excuse to give their money back," said a rep for Paddy Power.

Kitty Brucknell has now replaced Cocozza as the favourite to be eliminated from the competition on Sunday night.

Marcus Collins is the 9/4 favourite to win the ITV1 talent show.

The X Factor will reveal details tomorrow (Wednesday, November 9) of any plans to change the format following Cocozza's exit.

[Perdita]

Frankie Cocozza was kicked off The X Factor earlier today (Tuesday, November 8) after it was revealed that the 18-year-old singer had broken one of the show's "Golden Rules".

Details on Cocozza's rule break have not been confirmed, but the singer confessed that his behaviour had got "out of control" behind the scenes in a statement about his departure.

According to tabloid reports, Cocozza is being punished for boasting about taking cocaine to production staff.

Drug-taking was Golden Rule number six on a list revealed during the 2010 series of the show. The list was unveiled last year by the News of the World following bad behaviour from some of the contestants.

It is not clear if The X Factor's contestant restrictions have been updated this year, because Cocozza has been on numerous boozy nights out, breaking the first Golden Rule.

The 2010 X Factor 10 Golden Rules:

1. No getting drunk
2. No sexual relationships between contestants
3. No leaving the house without permission
4. Lads and girls must stay apart overnight
5. No pornography in the house
6. Zero tolerance on damaging property
7. Zero tolerance on drug use
8. 24-hour-a-day security surveillance
9. No relationships with X Factor fans
10. No overnight stays for contestants' boyfriends or girlfriends during live finals

The X Factor will confirm details of any format alterations tomorrow, following Cocozza's exit from the show.

[tammyy2j]

My guess is drugs

[pipette]

What'd you know turns out there is a God.



How he got so far is entirely beyond me, he cannot sing. James should have gone through in the judge's vote from the first week. Wonder who they'll bring back Johnny or The Risk personally I think both should be given the opportunity to come back as both are good and didn't deserve to be in the bottom three, and neither did Kitty and I'm not her biggest fan compared to Frankie who after the performance he gave on Saturday should have occupied all three of the bottom places, one for the fact he can't sing, the second for being there in the first place and the third for extraordinarily inappropriate behaviour.

LFC FOR LIFE YNWA JFT96

[megan999]

IMO this has been both the worst and most disruptive series of X Factor ever

[Perdita]

This weekend's X Factor will have a Lady GaGa vs Queen theme, it has been confirmed.

All six remaining acts will sing tracks by either GaGa or Queen on Saturday night.

The X Factor famously had a Queen week on the 2009 series, which featured Jedward covering 'Under Pressure', Danyl Johnson tackling 'We Are The Champions' and Olly Murs covering 'Don't Stop Me Now'.

Eventual winner Joe McElderry covered 'Somebody To Love'.

Lady GaGa is the special guest performer on this Sunday's results show, so she will be able to give her verdict to the finalists on their performances.

It is still not known whether a previous contestant will be allowed to return this weekend to replace the axed Frankie Cocozza.

The X Factor airs on Saturday at 8.15pm on ITV1.

[lizann]

Kitty will be happy about Gaga

The season has been like a soap opera more than a talent show

[Perdita]

Four former X Factor contestants have been given the opportunity to win back a place on the show.

One of James Michael, Amelia Lily, 2 Shoes or Jonjo Kerr, who were all eliminated by the judges in the first week of the live shows, will replace axed singer Frankie Cocozza on Saturday's show.

The public will have to vote for James, Amelia, 2 Shoes and Jonjo for the first time.

An X Factor spokesperson said in a statement: "The four acts have never been in a public vote so, with Frankie leaving the competition, this is an opportunity for the public to decide who comes back to the show."

Whoever receives the most votes will win their place back in the competition from this weekend.

The X Factor's returning contestant will be revealed this Saturday at 8.15pm on ITV1.

[Perdita]

A four-way phone vote for the act to replace Frankie Cocozza on The X Factor will open this afternoon (November 10).

At a London press conference, it was confirmed that the poll between Amelia Lily, Jonjo Kerr, James Michael and 2 Shoes will open at 4pm today and close during Saturday's live show.

22p from each phone vote will be donated to Help For Heroes, which works to provide better facilities for wounded British servicemen and women.

Head judge Gary Barlow said: "I don't think any of us here are guilt-free with Frankie... I'm always on the phone. I just hope he's okay.

"I can't follow Frankie around all week... we've all encouraged Frankie to be bad... I do feel sorry."

Cocozza was axed from the show on Tuesday amid rumours that he had bragged about taking cocaine.


Barlow added: "Frankie was silly. But I'm a parent. He's got to live with this forever, so I feel guilty about that."

Tulisa Contostavlos defended Barlow, explaining that Cocozza's mentor was "not a babysitter".

During the conference, Barlow explained that legal reasons prevent the panel from revealing which 'golden rule' Cocozza had broken, while Walsh explained that it was a "lack of professionalism".

Walsh, who had frequently been critical of Cocozza's live show performances, added: "It's a pity. I loved Frankie's first audition."

Judge Kelly Rowland, who eliminated Lily in week one, said: "It's really good that these acts get a second go... we have bonded with these acts."

Of the suggestion that the wildcards have an "unfair" advantage over the acts already in the competition, Rowland added: "Everyone has to come out swinging. It should bring everyone up a notch."

[tammyy2j]

I think Amelia Lily will be back in