“There are people who are going to be very good winners and who are going to sell records…

“But who is going to be around in a couple of years’ time?

“Probably Luke, probably Tamera Foster…”

He continued, “Originally I thought Nicholas was the one, mainly because he’s so young and kids will vote for him.

“I also thought Scotland always back their own – Leon Jackson, Michelle McManus – but Luke has come from nowhere and is a contender.

“The public are in charge though and we can’t control it.

“Sam Bailey is the one to beat for me.”

Source:- UNREALITY TV

What a prat.

Didn't he chose Nicholas over Luke live on air?

Didn't he say Sam was world class and deserved to win?

This mans comments really do depend on whether he has taken his medication for the week.

His opinion changes by the minute, he's a prat.

He was just being honest. I don't usually like what he has to say but this time I'm in full agreement.

You're not their mentor

I love Louis but his comments and opinions change daily.

I wouldn't trust anything he says re. X Factor. He's a producers' puppet and mouthpiece (and actually looked annoyed when Luke got through last weekend......he won't dare say anything nice about Nicholas, because his paymasters don't like the guy).

A few weeks ago he said live on radio in front of both Luke and Nicholas that he'd prefer Nicholas to win. As Nicholas' fans seemed to have no problem with that even saying that Louis was only being honest. They can't really complain about this just because they are now on the over side of the comments.

THIS!

He said that Nicholas was the one who could win, and he's right on that. This is about which of them is more likely to sell records and he's right on that too.

Although he wants Sam or Nicholas to win, he also acknowledges that neither of them is likely to have a successful career as a recording artist, which mirrors what many people on here have also said anyway.

I suspect even that was what the producers wanted him to say though at that moment in time. He might personally prefer Nicholas as an act or Luke, but will only say in public what the producers and his pals at Syco want him to say

He might be right regarding who could sell records (Luke and Tamera, and even RC). Sam may shift a few albums but Nick?? Good luck to him

I would agree with him - they're the only two (along with Rough Copy) who are marketable and will probably be able to cross over from Reality TV into the mainstream.

Well said

Bingo! And didn't it encourage subsequent voting for Luke?

No matter how many say Luke has been in bottom two three times he has made the final which has confounded many. No one to date on X Factor has managed to do what Luke Friend has done.

Apart from Cher Lloyd in the UK and Samantha Jade is the OZ (who went on to win)

Wasn't Cher in the b2 twice? Against Paige and Mary

Yeahh you're right...

In that case just Samantha Jade

Ahh, I didn't know about Cher or Samantha. So it really isn't the death knell when anyone gets so many bottom twos.

I agree. When Cowell said he could see three marketable acts out of this years final 12, my first thoughts were Tamera, Luke and RC and that hasn't changed through the weeks

That's exactly what I was thinking when Simon said that

Nobody connected with XF ever says anything random or by chance. Especially Louis. He's TPTB's main mouthpiece.

Didn't he say that about the same time as he said he didn't understand why Miss Dynamix went and Hannah stayed though? I mean I agree with you, but I always thought he rated Miss Dynamix and they were one of the three.

He also said two more POTENTIALLY. Also just because he said he wanted Miss D over Hannah (possibly for the shock factor), doesn't mean he thought Miss D could sell. He may have thought Miss D did better in the sing off.

Hannah was definitely going to be the shock exit if Simon was here. What a horrible man.