X Factor 2009

[Perdita]

Rihanna has confirmed that she will be performing on The X Factor later this month.

The 'Umbrella' singer is expected to sing her new single 'Russian Roulette' and act as a guest mentor on the ITV1 reality show.

Her appearance is expected to tie in with the release of her fourth studio album Rated R, which is released on November 23.

Speaking to The Mirror about working on the show, she said: "I am beyond excited - it was the easiest decision I've ever made. A lot of people watch the show over here on YouTube and I personally caught a lot of it when Leona Lewis was on, who's an amazing artist.

"So to say yes to Simon was an honour, especially as I know the show so well."

Shakira will be the celebrity guest on this Sunday's X Factor, while Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle will perform her debut single 'Wild Horses' on the November 22 episode.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/...-x-factor.html

[tammyy2j]

Simon Cowell has forbidden the X Factor contestants from discussing the controversy over the Jedward vote.

The show boss is desperately trying to keep control of the public uproar following his decision to back Irish twins John and Edward Grimes, and could even apologise to the nation for causing such an upset.


One of Simon’s own acts, Olly Murs, 25, confessed: “I can’t say anything, they won’t let me.” And when Lloyd Daniels, 16, was asked about the twins, he replied: “I’m not allowed to say anything, sorry.”


They have all been warned not to add fuel to the fire by giving their opinion on whether the music mogul was right to back the twins.


An insider said last night that Simon, 50, might use Saturday’s live show to say sorry, but warned he would not back down over letting the public have the final say.


He said: “Simon will only hold his hands up if he thinks he’s done something seriously wrong. He’s sorry so many people are upset but stands by his decision to send the result to dead lock and see who the nation wanted out.” But he added: “When Simon lays down the law only someone stupid would think about breaking it.


“The whole thing is getting a bit out of hand and Simon doesn’t want to make things worse with contestants mouth- ing off about the scandal.


“He runs a tight ship and they have been warned there will be serious consequences if they discuss anything outside the X Factor family.”


Simon’s warning came after more than 3,000 people complained to ITV and telly watchdog Ofcom about Sunday’s results show.


Many fans accused him of manipulating the show so one of his acts will win, even though it meant getting rid of talented Lucie Jones, 18, who he described as the “strongest girl in the competition”. And yesterday a poll on the show’s website revealed 89% of fans were left “completely numb” by his decision to save them.


But the Irish duo are backed by star Robbie Williams, 35, who said: “What do you look forward to every week on that programme?


“For me it’s Jedward, I love watching them. I think it’s an entertainment show and I am entertained by those two.”


Their mentor Louis Walsh, 56, aims to give them a show-stopping routine on Saturday when they belt out Queen classic track Radio Ga Ga.

[megan999]

My Mum was so angry about what Simon did last week she said she won't watch it this week, but I said it wouldn't make any difference to the viewing figures, because ages ago I read somewhere that a company gives a gadget to so many thousands of people to attach to their TVs so what they watch can be tracked and then they multiply it by how many thousands to work out the general viewing figures for the whole of the UK (for all programs and channels). Does anyone know if this is actually how it works? BTW I WILL still be watching X Factor, but will be MUCH HAPPIER when the Twins get sent home

[Meh]

I agree wholeheartedly with Sting.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8355611.stm

Rock star Sting has called the X Factor "televised karaoke" and said judges like Simon Cowell have "no recognisable talent apart from self-promotion".

The singer, 58, told London's Evening Standard that the Saturday night show was "a soap opera which has nothing to do with music".

[Perdita]

Lucie Jones's agent reportedly wants to change the terms of the singer's X Factor contract.

According to The Sun, Leigh-Ann Regan claims that the 20-year-old has been offered record deals, a role in a BBC drama and an audition for a Hollywood film.

Regan, of Regan Rimmer Management, said: "It's frustrating because we represented her before she went into the X Factor and are still representing her.

"There are lots of offers on the table, but we can't do anything with them because she's now under contract with The X Factor until March 2010."

She added: "We're not willing to pass the deals over to the [X Factor] management company because we discovered her."

Jones lost the public vote on Sunday's results show after Simon Cowell's decision to save John & Edward left the panel in deadlock.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/...ct-change.html

Surely X Factor can release her seeing she is no longer part of the competition

[lizann]

If the twins make it to the final and get to do a duet i hope its with Ant and Dec - Lets Get Ready To Rumble

[tammyy2j]

Dannii Minogue has dedicated her Cosmopolitan Ultimate TV Personality of the Year Award to her last remaining X Factor act Stacey Solomon.

The Aussie star said she had forgiven Simon Cowell for saving John And Edward but was determined to win the ITV talent show with Essex girl Stacey.

Dannii brandished her award saying "I'll keep it in my dressing room as inspiration for Stacey (Solomon) - a bit of girl power from Cosmo."

The X Factor judge insisted she wasn't angry with Simon Cowell over the events at the weekend which led to her act Lucie Jones's departure.

She said: "Simon and I spoke yesterday, it's fine."

But she added: "Taking it to deadlock is not something I would have done. I thought as soon as he did it of all the hype and press John And Edward had had all week. But it's something he did in the heat of the moment and now he has to live with it, and if he ends up with John And Edward winning the record deal, well..."

Meanwhile EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who won the Cosmopolitan Ultimate TV Actress Award revealed John And Edward are her guilty pleasure.

"I love them", she confessed.

"I don't think they should win but I think they should be in the final. They're so entertaining."

But Girls Aloud's Kimberly Walsh said: "I don't get John and Edward. They're very entertaining, I can see that, but they can't sing. I love little Joseph. I think he's great but you just don't know with X Factor."

[lizann]

The X Factor contestants are going to sing Bohemian Rhapsody as a group this week

[sindydoll]

The X Factor contestants are going to sing Bohemian Rhapsody as a group this week

that should be easy enough for them

[Perdita]

X Factor judge Louis Walsh has complained about Irish viewers being unable to vote for their favourite contestants.

The boyband manager claimed that Dublin-born brothers John & Edward are at a disadvantage in the contest because they do not have a hometown vote like the other acts.

Speaking to the Evening Herald, the pair's mentor commented: "It's ridiculous Irish viewers can't vote. I'd be far more confident of keeping the twins in if we had a vote in Ireland."

He added: "I know from just walking down the street here and the reaction I'm getting that they have huge support here."

Fans who watch The X Factor on TV3 in Ireland were able to vote for the first four series. However, the Irish phone lines were scrapped in 2008.

Walsh recently admitted that John & Edward were "slagged off" in Ireland during the initial stages of the competition.


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