Yeah, I was surprised when those stories came out that it had been slashed from ten nights to one, because I always thought it was only one date. I think that's probably more of the papers trying to create a story again than anything more substantial.

Meh, I don't feel sorry for Sam B, I suppose it was a bit misleadingly revealed but meh, she shouldn't have made that comment about needing to learn to dance, even though we all knew she'd win she could at least pretend to be humble. I've tried to like her and never been able to warm to her. It probably sounds a bit irrational but the Daily Mail posed paparazzi pics of her husband buying sexy underwear for her killed any respect I had for her - you go along with something as crap as that and drag your family into it, you're a bloody idiot that deserves all the mockery you get.

I imagine, with Sam B, you're always going to feel seriously short changed.

Yeah, this.

I'm going to have to avoid watching the NTAs on catch-up as I think I will just make myself angry. I'm starting to feel like they're going to slowly airbrush Nicky out of the series and pretend Luke came 2nd.

When the bloody hell did this happen?

I think you're absolutely spot on.

You know what though? Nick's going to have the last laugh. I totally believe this. I know you do too

If they do that's so ****ing low

Here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...h-sex-ban.html

How, though? If the industry wants him to fail, he will fail. Half of the game is PR/marketing etc.

As much as I like Luke (most of the time), I completely agree.

Only half?

My reaction entirely!

I hope you see my point now

/cringecringecringecringecringe

He will buck the trend. Just watch...

I hope you're right, but I fear I may not share you optimism,

Basically, if a show such as XF decided to write you out of their history books, you're pretty much ****ed. It's not just the lack of PR/marketing that's dangerous, if something like that is telling it's audience what you're supposed to like again and again, year after year, it influences people's perceptions. Let's face it, the music press aren't going to pick up the slack, because they'll automatically be sniffy about anything that comes from XF anyway, so it's really the only powerful influencer available to an act like Nicky, until he's established himself independently from it. If they're already skipping over him in recaps of this year's series, then it really doesn't bode well. It's telling people 'these two are the IMPORTANT ones' and starts to build a perception that he's unsuccessful before he's even started his career.

It's not just pr/marketing either. It's investment, access to producers/writers etc. Hopefully it's just ITV being asshats and it's an attitude not shared by his record company but it's a really worrying sign.

I honestly think that people are so media savvy/jaded that it doesn't matter any more. Nicky has established a fan base that is growing day by day despite the manipulations. He is genuinely a breath of fresh air.

#naivemuch?

God. I hope you're right, I really really do.

I just think so much of it lies in the hands of the media bods that it's be almost impossible without them onside.

And I totally agree about him being a breath of fresh air. The market is saturated with r'n'b-flecked sass-machines selling attitude and sensitive faux-folk troubadours selling their tortured souls. I'd like to see something similar to the new-pop movement of the 80s happen. Something a bit more widescreen, something with a bit more grandeur.

Luke has tweeted this

Luke Friend ‏@LukeFriendMusic 10h
nickymcdonald1 think you'll find I'm boss...💋🍉😆 #Friendieship http://instagram.com/p/jfOd76OJjJ/

I see a couple of people on the Luke thread are gloating that he got more coverage on the NTAs clip. Classy. :/

I'm from the Luke thread

To be honest, the clips were so short it was almost 'blink and you'll miss them'

A great picture of Nicky and Luke here

http://www.examiner.com/article/nich...e-friend-devon

I know and you weren't one of the people I was referring to. Hopefully that was clear. Maybe I'm reading too much into the apparent lack of Nicky footage but I do find it depressing how some on these forums appear to revel in underhand manipulations/distorted representations as long as it benefits those they favour, and appear to actively want others to fail. Luke doesn't do an awful lot for me currently, but I am interested to see how his career develops and I wish him well.

Nicky wants a Nandos, who's gonna deliver ?

Oh. You're back, Cake. I've been saving a little something for you. I'll probably go to hell for this but it'll be worth it to witness you spontaneously combust.

https://twitter.com/nicky_team/statu.../photo/1/large