I know there's a public vote, but absolutely everything else about the contestants is managed by the production company.

The production company has two goals, which are NOT mutually exclusive. Firstly they want to produce the best television show possible and secondly they want to control a great new talent who will have worldwide success.

I get that it sometimes doesn't work out as expected, but the intention is still clear, right? Rhydian lost to Leon Jackson because of a public vote, but despite the best efforts of the show to make him a winner. Rhydian was fairly hated in the early rounds because of his attitude but every week he was massaged into something the public would support.

This year the leaks and press stories have all been about warping voters' opinions. The real problem the show has is that these days the contestants all have their own press and PR crew to fight back with.

Not really what we were sold on day one when it was a new show.

No. It's not fixed.

So... the stories that circulate about the contestants on the show.... you don't think they influence the voting public?

I can respect that you don't think that, but those stories come from somewhere. They don't just happen.

I think the X-Factor as we see it, is decided from day one. They know what they want and they mold what they're given. Whoever wins is the closest to what they want to win.

It doesn't always work, but we get a Leona one time and a Cardle another. I like Matt Cardle (and Little Mix) but you can see the judges lie back and sigh when the "wrong" result happens at the vote.

I just don't think it's fixed.

Influenced is a very different scenario and I think the public voted with who they liked best, some of this will be based on how people perceive contestants but generally the winner is voted on who they like most.

As you said, it doesn't always work, the voters decdide,

The primary responsibility of the production company is to meet financial goals. The delivery of a tv series, of whatever quality, and rooted in income-generating formats, is the means by which these goals are met.This is a commercial product, not public service broadcasting.

It's fixed. ... Because most of the public are gullible.

Tomorrow night will they put James on last YET AGAIN?

Jahmene is the only singer left. James can't sing and his 'Extra' songs prove he can't write either.

What..and Jahmene can??

Shut up