They don't need to rig the votes. All they need to do is ensure the judges follow their script, increase the studio mic volume to catch applause on certain acts, edit the trailers accordingly and ramp up the press releases ...... Then the public generally vote the right way.

As long as their chosen acts don't cast the lowest votes, the judges can always save them.

Once it gets to the final, they're happy for the public to actually choose the winner.

Admittedly, maybe it went a bit wrong with the risk this week ....... Or did it? Now more people are talking about the merits of their return so more will watch the show to see what happens, resulting in higher advertising revenue yada yada yada ...

I like the idea of Charlie being brought back as a solo singer, although in fairness Johnny should be given first choice. No way should the risk be brought back.

Has it ever occurred to anyone, that most people that pick up the phone to vote do so on a limited budget. Remember it is a vote to SAVE. There have been plenty of examples in the past where popular acts have had the least votes simply because we assumed they are safe and we've voted for others we also want saved, so I have no problem with the Risk coming back.
Also when you look at the bookies' odds for Frankie leaving in recent weeks and wonder why he's still there, I have to ask "is there a possibility of some sort of betting scam going on?"
Wouldn't a win on placing a large enough bet (or multiple bets) on Frankie staying more than cover the cost of the number of phone votes to keep him in? Now there would be something for the Mail (& others) to look into - proper investigative journalism for a change, instead of printing idle malicious hearsay or gossip!

Can anyone remember the darius scenario in pop idol? how did he end up back in it?

Should bring Frankie back. Was looking forward to his next performance.

I don't think anyone believes the show isn't manipulated. The argument was against vote rigging which is different.

The voting last weekend was done under the premise of a double eviction. Dermot stated at the start that there would be 2 acts leaving, and that may well have influenced people to vote, for instance, who may not have voted if only one person was leaving.

What the vote is actually for, and the consequences thereof, must always be stated in advance and that was what was done.

The rules concerning last weeks vote cannot now be retrospectively changed (ie by bringing either Johnny or the Risk back) without a complete refund of the whole voting revenue for last weekend. And there may well be an argument also for a refund for the people who voted for Frankie, even if nobody is brought back.

Rik Waller (one of the top 10) got ill and after being given a one week 'bye' was still unwell the following week, so Darius was brought in as his replacement. I'm assuming that, of those who didn't get through, Darius got the highest number of votes. Hence being Rik's replacement.

I hope you know they're getting their info from this forum.

Charlottesweb says The Daily Mail is widely tipped to print a complete load of old bollox today.

It's not "unfair" to the voters, because they vote to save not to elminate.

But it is pretty pointless. The Risk surely don't have enough support to remain for very long, so they'd be out the door as soon as they walked back in.

I don't see them bringing anyone back, if they do it should be Jonny but they won't risk him coming back and one of their favourites going. The Risk got the fewest votes so bringing them back would be a travesty.