That'd be Steve Brookstein, who won the first X Factor back in 2004. And you're right, he's been having a pop about Simon to whichever tabloid journalist/online blogger who'll still listen to him lol

But isn't that the whole idea ? I wouldn't want a show consisting of pros and semi-pros, it's all about finding undiscovered talent. In that respect, it does what it says on the tin. There are the usual looney toons, some self deluded crazies (some of whom must be "plants" surely ?) and the odd decent act. But they should all be a bit "amateurish"..at least to start with. If they open the doors to all the cruise ship performers and lesser known club acts, it will spoil the whole thing..in my opinion.

I fully agree. I think they were completely off key and that the doorman should have easily gone through over them.

The standard this year has been the worst ever. Wasn't the girl with the dog on some other fame chasing reality show a couple of years ago? Kate and Gin were far better.

I really don't care who wins because they are pretty much all rubbish. There has been way too many dance acts too. If I had to choose I would opt for the impressionist fellow purely because it would be good to see a different genre of act win it.

They should only allow people with real talent (whether they be pros or not) into the semi-final stages. I don't want to see talentless idiots who should never have got past the first audition!

I have no problem with contestants being pros. At the very least, you're unlikely to get Hollie Steele-style melt-downs from pros. And a pro will presumably have perfected their act over many years, so will be able to vary their repetoire instead of performing the same thing every time they appear (and being branded 'one trick ponies').

I can see that argument from both sides. There are some fabulous amateurs out there but the stage school and showbizzy types/ club scene regulars usually tend to prosper over them as they have connections. Unfortunately, they seem to select the dud amateurs who are desperate to get on telly for five minutes over the talented amatuers who deserve a shot at the game. They make you think that these acts are 'off the street'but many of them aren't. I still reckon we were stitched up with SuBo! Lol.

The doorman who sang Frank Sinatra was very good, he should be in the final. So should the pole dancer.

I agree Sid.

Oh how I miss Julian, Flawless, Diversity, Signature and Stravros Flatley. Even DJ Talent was a right laugh, even if the laugh was at him.

Apart from Alicia Keys - the acts have all been better than the so called guest "stars"