Yeah, so can I I was totally hoping no one would pick up on that as soon as I posted it. Given this thread's history, I should have known better

I so knew that was coming :s

You could do with rephrasing that too I'm so sorry

Speaking from experience?

Yes, totally agree. It really does seem to be Nick and Luke that have kept the momentum going (especially Luke given how many gigs he's done). I doubt anyone was going specifically/mainly for Sam B in any case tbh, it's not exactly an appealing setting even if someone loves her.

Awwww ADORABLE!!!

He does get chapped lips out on that bike.

I must admit, I'm still not quite sure who voted for Sam. I can only think she's one of those winners that people thought 'Oh she *should* win' even though they probably wouldn't be particularly excited by her. I thought my mum would like her, but even she said 'Well, she's a bit dated'.

SINGLEFISH RESCUES THE THREAD

SUPERMAN (Woman)

God knows. I was impressed by her the first few weeks, even though she was never my #1, but the week of New York New York I went massively off her because she was so so boring and she never did anything remotely interesting or entertaining, she was just very very competent. I voted for Leona because of 'she has to win' even though I knew I'd never buy any of her stuff, but Leona was a world better than Sam. Sam's attempt at Bleeding Love (if that's the right title?) was pretty poor, but everyone just carried on raving. I think too many viewers don't decide who's good with their ears.

Spoilsport

(jk jk )

That's so cute.

The baby's not bad either.

As one Scot to another ( and I'm sure our lovely English pals will agree here) it became an England v Scotland victory at the end which is such a shame.

It was, such a shame. I buy the argument that promoting Nick's scottishness is a way of reducing his vote more than enhancing it. I just do not understand why, who would want Sam B to win??

LOL

It's like when I was watching the Skyscraper video on The Box and my mum was there so was listening. Then my mum asked me "why isn't Sam shouting like she did on the show".

I guess Sam is just known being a belter out type singer rather than one who shows light and shade.

As for who voted for Sam, up until the final 2 it was always relatively close between Sam and Nicky. It was just on the Sunday Sam suddenly seemed to race ahead in the voting. That maybe suggests the producers saw the voting figures from the Saturday and thought "eek, how has this happened" and most probably begged/bribed/paid one hundred people to multiple vote for Sam so that they couldn't be accused of phone voting fixing.

That's why I hope Nicky has the last laugh.

It's like tonight at the National TV Awards "Best Entertainment Show", the clip for X Factor was heavily based around Luke and Sam. Why just a quick semi second of Nicky? Hmm...

I liked her in the auditions. She had that 'ohhhh, she's good' thing about her. And sure, she remained consistent and very good throughout the shows, working that belty-diva thing. But there just doesn't seem to be anywhere for her to go, either as a singer or an artist. She's already as good as she's ever going to be vocally, and what the hell is she going to end up releasing?

Damn. I'd found a picture that would have made Cake literally explode, and now I've lost it. AH well, it's probably for the best

Didn't see that! . Honestly he had such a bad deal latterly but I feel kind of exhausted banging on about it. That's why I wish the wee man all the best in the world x

Oh really? Urgh. **** them. Seriously, **** them hard in the ****ing ****. It's like they've decided who they *think* should happen, and not just let *whoever* happen organically. I can only think there's some serious egos involved, people behind the scenes playing tastemaker and feeling all powerful because of it. 'Well this year the season is all about Mumford pastiches and sub-Dion warble-terror'

I do feel sorry for Sam Bailey though because X Factor hyped up the extra prize for the winner where they get to support Beyonce on her UK leg of her tour. Then it was revealed that Sam would only be able to support Beyonce for one date because the other dates clashed with the X Factor tour.

That's like being told you've won 1 million pounds but when you go to collect your cheque, it's for £1,500 instead. You'd be a little bit gutted, no?

Actually yes, you're absolutely right, I was still thinking in terms of what we'd been told rather than what the facts were. I've seen people suggest that the claims she was so far ahead were to discourage votes for her, but I don't buy that one bit, I think it had the opposite effect.

I just don't get why anyone behind the scenes would want her to win, except maybe the people concerned with viewing figures.

He wasn't supporting the child's head

Tbh I think we (and they) knew before it was even announced that it was a lip service one nighter. I wouldn't worry that Sam was under any impressions.

Also, what is all the fuss about her duetting with Michael Bolton? Michael Bolton was terminally uncool even back in the 80s. There seems to be some serious cultural revisionism going on here.