Okay so its a talking point every year about who gets preferential treatment from the producers with the running order and things like that so for the artists who made it to week 5 I thought I would quickly work it out.

Okay so obviously in

Week One there were 16 acts.
Week Two there were 14 acts
Week Three there were 12 acts
Week Four there were 11 acts
Week Five there were 9 acts.

If you half each of those act numbers to get the middle of the pack and add them together (8 + 7 + 6 + 5.5 + 4.5) comes to 31 and if you divide that by 5 weeks it comes to an average running order performance of 6.2 So if they are averaging around 6th in the running order it means they are coming middle of the pack. Anything more means their getting an easier go of the running order. Anything less means their getting a worse time with the running order.

Obviously each of the first 4 weeks have eliminated acts not accounted for here.

So here we go.....

Paul Akister
Week One: 1
Week Two: 11
Week Three: 6
Week Four: 8
Week Five: 1
Total: 27
Average Running Order: 5.4

Andrea Faustini
Week One: 16
Week Two: 3
Week Three: 4
Week Four: 6
Week Five: 9
Total: 38
Average Running Order: 7.6

Lauren Platt
Week One: 10
Week Two: 4
Week Three: 7
Week Four: 7
Week Five: 3
Total: 31
Average Running Order: 6.2

Only The Young
Week One: 15
Week Two: 13
Week Three: 2
Week Four: 9
Week Five: 4
Total: 43
Average Running Order: 8.6

StereoKicks
Week One: 8
Week Two: 7
Week Three: 11
Week Four: 10
Week Five: 7
Total: 43
Average Running Order: 8.6

Ben Haenow
Week One: 12
Week Two: 5
Week Three: 12
Week Four: 1
Week Five: 5
Total: 35
Average Running Order: 7

Jay James
Week One: 4
Week Two: 14
Week Three: 3
Week Four: 5
Week Five: 2
Total: 28
Average Running Order: 5.6

Fleur East
Week One: 14
Week Two: 6
Week Three: 9
Week Four: 3
Week Five: 8
Total: 40
Average Running Order: 8

Stevi Ritchie:
Week One: 9
Week Two: 12
Week Three: 10
Week Four: 11
Week Five: 6
Total: 48
Average Running Order: 9.6


Okay so to recap with the average running order being 6.2 the list from highest running order to lowest running order goes as follows.

Stevi Ritchie: 9.6
StereoKicks: 8.6
Only The Young: 8.6
Fleur East: 8
Andrea Faustini: 7.6
Ben Haenow 7
Lauren Platt 6.2
Jay James: 5.6
Paul Akister: 5.4

So basically Paul and Jay getting the rough end of the show's running order. Lauren is smack bang in the middle with her running order and Ben isn't far off being in the middle but in particular Stevi & The Groups seem to be getting the best shot at the running order. Andrea is middle of the pack out of the top nine contestants in regards to running order.

Obviously aswell there is Overload Generation, Blonde Electra, Stephanie Nala, Chloe Jasmine, Jake Quickenden, Jack Walton & Lola Saunders who have been eliminated who had their own running orders.

It may also be noteworthy that even with the lines opening at the start of the show the act who has been on first has been in the bottom 2 twice (Jake in Week 3 & Paul In Week 5). Where as the act who has performed second has been in the bottom on three occasions (Only The Young in Week 3, Lola Saunders in Week 4 & Jay James in Week 5).

I mean there may be nothing but coincidence to any of this but hopefully some find this useful information

Nathan

How much time do you have on your hands may I ask

That took about 10-15 minutes.

I doubt very much Lauren is that far down in terms of favourtism and Stevi is that far up.

Also it changes as the public arent completely stupid so not all are manipulated.

However this could be a good thing to reference when watching x factor in the future. perhaps this is true

Good research, i will say that for you.

Seems to suggest running order doesn't matter. Stereo Kicks been in B2 twice already despite going later on whereas Paul and Jay only first appeared at the weekend despite low orders, and I doubt Lauren will be in the B2 for a while yet despite her having one of the lowest orders either.

this week my predicted running order is

1. Stereokicks
2. Fleur
3. Andrea
4. Ben
5. OTY
6. Stevi
7. Jay
8. Lauren

why would going first be more of a disadvantage though ?

It depends actually if an act gives a strong performance or if they are 'labelled' as one the popular acts then regardless of the performing order they would probably be safe on most occasions from the B2.

However i think if one of the less popular acts was to perform first or if an act gave an average or bad performance then the running order would have a more significant effect especially if they performed at the beginning as they are likely to be forgotten.

On the occasions as you have pointed out when the act performing first or second has been in the B2. In most cases they either gave average or bad performances as in the case of Jake, OTY, Stephanie or they weren't one of the hot favourites to win like in the case of Paul or Lola.

Although the voting lines are open before each act performs i would tend to think most (including myself) would still probably vote after they have seen all of the performances from between the times after the last act has performed to when the lines close on Sunday's result show

The peformance order overall doesn't have too much siginificance but it does has some influence on the weaker and more forgettable acts

Some people might start watching late and others might forget the performances.

I do agree it doesnt have as big as impact as stated in the past but clearly the performances people remember the most are the performances they'll vote for. while the people who just vote for their favourites will just carry on.

Its the swing voters who are key and if they dont remember a performances then its gonna be curtains for that performer.

Thanks


You could indeed be correct. I put on the bottom of my OP that it may mean nothing more than coincidence but its for people to take it as they see it . I think Lauren will be safe for a while though like you.


Yeah it could be nothing but I thought people may like to reference it.


Robert Whippy pretty much covered it. Its not 100% a huge disadvantage but it was merely oserving that even with phone lines opening at the start of the show the opening two acts have still seen more than their fair share of bottom two appearences.


That is indeed how I vote though I admit I go into every show with acts I prefer although im open to being pleasently surprised .

As for Paul and Lauren not being hot favourites. Its strange because this year I don't think there are any clear front runners. Going into the live shows there were 9 acts that I genuinely thought had a shot at winning the show (Paul, Andrea, Jack, Lauren, Lola, Only The Young, Fleur, Ben & Jay) obviously there are just my opinions but I wouldnt say one was the run away favourite like Sam Bailey was last year.

Yes all true and its even been shown they can place certain acts in spots where they are likely to be forgotten thus not making it as memorable for the voting public

Very interesting analysis, Nathan.

I'll be surprised (or even shocked) if Stereo Kicks are on first

one can only hope

Thanks Steve

I think they will put Only The Young first, then Andrea...but they will end with Lauren and right before her will be Stereo Kicks...

I actually think Stevi will be on first, now he's made the tour it's time for him to go

He's Simon act though.. He would not wish to put his own act in danger...

So Stevi and Stereo Kicks are the only 2 acts remaining not to perform in the first 3 performances. If they aren't first and second this week then that's really unfair.

It won't happen...they pushing stereo way too hard and Stevie is Simon's act....it will go something like...

1) only the young
2) Andrea
3) Ben
4) Fleur
5) Jay
6) Stereo Kicks
7) Stevi
8) Lauren..

I would imagine Fleur will be 4 or 5.

My guess would be its bound to be unfair again

One last cheeky bump in case anyone else wants to see this