I rarely watch X Factor live. I watch a recording of it later on Saturday nights. Every week I find my self fast forwarding as I am not getting any goosebumps from most of the contestants. Generally boring or substandard.

Olly is standing out plain and simply grinning and shaking his hips and because Simon Cowel says so. Everytime I watch GMTV, This Morning the Simon Cowell PR machine is buzzing with Olly propaganda.

There is only one convincing singer in the show and that is Joe. (A poet?)

I find myself watching him over and over scrutinizing him more because he has the basic requirement - a great voice. Also, his eye contact with the camera is great and appeals to the viewing audience. He just needs cooler songs that really show off his beautiful vocals and maybe a cooler look. That was my up-to-date assessment last week and I am still sticking with Joe.

Lloyd has a great, commercial voice, but lacks maturity and thus confidence. I have not written him off yet though.

I am not sixty, but have a catalogue of varied, great music. I like what I like and Joe is a winner.

Joe has a fabulous voice, I agree with Danni that he's easily the best male singer in the competition. I adored Circle of Life I thought he sang it beautifully.

He's also a solid performer, very reliable. He's been one of the most consistent x factor contestants ever if you ask me.

However

The 'stage school' tag is proving difficult to get rid of and he's still lacking a persona as an artist.

His "style" is nothing more than singing his choices really well. Which is great (and I wish the others would take a leaf out of his book), but he doesn't yet have his own stamp, his own individuality as an artist. He could do with being a bit "cooler".

Also he doesn't appear to be great at interpreting the lyrics/mood of the song. Everything has been delivered with a big smile, which hasn't been particularly fitting for some of his choices.

These are definitely things he could improve upon in the next few weeks though. I feel that Cheryl's not an amazing mentor for him, in the hands of Danni or Simon he'd progress more.

The only reason Joe isn't a winner for me is because at the moment he doesn't seem to know his direction. He needs to be more modern and put more emotion into his ballads.

The reason some of Alex's performances last year were so great, was because she was such an emotional wreck (Listen in particular, as it was going to be her sing-off song) and she was always fighting. I don't get that from Joe, but I really want to.

Joe is a nice guy but his voice is very average. He sounds pleasant. Its prbably very likely that he's going to win. Simon will no doubt turn him into another Leon Jackson clone who wil be around for five minutes to make and get a chirstmas number one and maybe release an album down the line then go off into obscurity just like Leon.

I loveee joe I think he has an incredible and I think tonight will be a good night for him

He has got the looks, the smile and the voice

It's a singing competition not a personality competition that's why he should win

I agree he has to put some emotion into his performances and actually listen to the words and what they mean. That's what the voice coach and Cheryl should be trying to get across to him but it seems that Cheryl is not spending as much time with her acts as she does in hair and makeup, she needs a kick up her backside really. If Joe is guided in the right direction and starts to really feel what the song is about, he will be fantastic but he needs help to do this, from the experts. If anyone on here actually knows Joe or twitters him, please tell him this is what is missing, once he gets this right, he will be amazing.

....funny -I feel the same way about Ollie - just don't get it.

Okay guys, had to dig out this old thread which was my first posting on DS. I predicted right again! Hope those who asked me who I was backing put a bet on as I am obviously the voice of the public! And....I got it right it would be close between Joe and Olly, can't believe it and I never ever bet either. That's it, I'm starting to go to the bookies now and start making some money, Mystic Jo!

Agreed He will end up in the lion king musical this time next year