Stephen Mulhearn on Xtra Factor tonight actually said exactly what I have been thinking the whole series. I felt that at last someone can see what I see - he really is this year's most over-rated over praised contestant.

They gave him that song as it's a similar version of Holly's that's in the ads and top 10 or so (not sure of chart position) as he is the show's favourite and wanted him to sing something familiar to all ages to help push him in to the top 3.

James is usually excellent but I think this was his worst week. He was pushing on the voice too much. I suppose he was trying to fight for it and give his best but it sounded rough to us.

I'm warming to Stephen Mulhearn. I think he's a very honest guy. He was on some TV prog last week and they were all pulling his leg because he has never eaten curry in his life.

A lot of people would have tried to come up with a load of excuses but he just said that his upbringing was meat & 2 veg and in their house that was how they ate and he never had any desire to try curry.

Poor week for him, this week. Probably not helped by the fact that I hate U2.

I think James threw in the towel tonight, he seems to really not want to be part of the shambles that is the X Factor anymore.

Easily his worst two performances to date.

He wants out and the chance to work on his own stuff realitively Syco free, thsi is the best way as a runner up not a winner.

I thought I was the only one that can't stand James Arthur, just cannot see why he gets so much praise each week, he is boring and totally murders every song and people talk about Jahmene (sp) using his brother's death to promote his song this week, but James does it every week about what a hard life he has had, but that is quite acceptable

Ok, I can only conclude that the four 'judges' are listening to something and someone totally different in their ear-pieces and commenting on that. Surely??? Seriously.... His voice has the same effect on me as nails on blackboard.

Did you not see how happy he was when Tulisa said he should win? You people are nuts.

I agree that people hear different things and some people think James is awful and won't ever change their minds about this . What I don't get is that they can't hear that the others aren't equally as awful or even worse .

I can't understand people who don't hear that Jahmene is out of tune half the time.

James will never be my cup of tea.

However, I do think he's done some really interesting things with some of the songs he's worked on and showed enough due respect to ABBA to leave the melody largely intact for S.O.S. last week.

I like what he did with "The Power Of Love," but I thought what he did to "One," was an abomination..it was all over the place.

Sometimes, great songs are best left alone, or when covered, left largely as they were in the original, sometimes a change of voice is enough.

Rich.
x

It's actually quite sad because he seems a nice guy but the judges do him no favours by praising him when even he sounds frankly awful . I can see that there's a voice in there somewhere it just hasn't come out yet in my opinion .

I agree about Jahmene, potentially he has a good voice, its in there but he hasnt really learned how to control it yet, imo This results in him sounding/being out of tune and the OTT vocal gymnastics which isnt to my taste.

I didn't recognise The Power of love song I still loved it (he might've been singing a different power of love song)
I loved his first song , i still like James though.

Thank Gawd i am not alone!!!! Thought it was a case of "the Emperors got no clothes"!!!

James is well overated. No way could I listen to a whole song of his let alone an album of them.

I could listen to all the 3-4 albums he'll make in the next year back to back

its a shame hes going tonight

James = very overrated

wouldn't it by cheaper to just find out whichever train station hes going to be busking outside of and go there to listen to him live , you could even get him to do requests for you ...

Oh, it's there, no doubt.

He's potentially a great singer but he hasn't got the vocal control to do what he tries to do so often.......and it wouldn't sound much better if he did.

I agree, the judges are wrong for praising it, he needs to pull it right back and show some respect for the melodies.

Do they even like him? I get the feeling they're operating under producers' orders with their insane over the top hyping......it's hard to imagine Tulisa or Louis ever buying a James album.

I truly wonder what some people here.

Because what you all seem to want is bland, dull, middle of the road performances where the song is copied almost exactly by some Leona type?

Is that what you're really after, deep down?

Cos its fine if it is, but at least say. Because I get very confused by people slagging James off when I think he's done quite well.

Just can't stand him, sounds like he's constantly contispated or off his face (Neither of which are attractive qualities I look for in a singer :P)