That's exactly what I think happened.

I don't think she DID know. She walked out with the same air of already being a star which was starting to grate a little on me to be honest and all her gestures when it was announced looked like ones shed imagined doing when she was announced as the winner. Her walk offstage looked completely different, she looked deflated.

She thought she already was a star, she believed her own hype.

I don't think she seemed angry, but she probably figured it out. The judges (Simon!!) comments after her last performance really gave it away - they knew she was to far behind and couldn't pull it back. Seven years ago, Rhydian got more or less the same speech.

I don't think she seemed angry at all. She took it very well.

She may have guessed that Ben was going to win, but I doubt she knew it was set in stone.

And whilst I agree that certain Fleur fans on here need to be more gracious in defeat, a certain number of Ben fans don't have to be so boastful and disrespectful either. There is such thing as sore winners you know.

No there isn't.

I don't know how you're expected to react - you lose out on a recording contract she's not exactly going to be blowing balloons and Doing cartwheels across the bleedin stage - that's what I don't understand about people like what did they want her to do drop to her knees and praise Ben? She was clearly happy for him and wounded in her own defeat which is of course what any normal human being would do.

I am surprised she didn't start rapping.

I remember Andy Abrahams said he knew he hadn't given his best in the winners song and when he watched shayne sing his version, he knew shayne had won it. I think he was right seeing the vote came down to that last song as it was so close, if Andy had really gone for it he could have won.
I think in this situation Fleur sensed she hadn't won whether she based that on the final song or somebody told her but when they walked out I just thought she looked like she knew before the result was called.

The winners single was chosen to favour Ben's voice. Simon of course knew that Ben was winning by miles in the public vote for weeks and weeks. While I do think Fleur is very talented she was just missing that certain something that makes a person popular with men and women. And I don't think women or girls voting liked her...I'm already a star...attitude. I'm pleased Ben won, he was my favourite from the start.

I thought how dignified and gracious she was in defeat.

I think Ben would have been the same. I am sure they both would have been coached in how to publicly accept being the runner up.

I am also sure that they both must have known that Simon liked them both and that a recording contract was in the bag whatever the outcome.

I wanted Ben to win and I am glad he did to ensure that he got a contract but I always thought that Fleur would get one too.

Either way, not-winning this show is often the best thing that can happen for a solo artist. She'll be fine. I'm excited to hear music from her!

She has got it in the bag thanks to her fans.

She got 2nd place and put on probably the (or one of) the best performances in X Factor history.

You just focus on getting Ben to No. 1 at the moment, and we'll deal with Fleur when she releases her music in a year or so.

Her reaction was not one of a losing contestant. She seemed surprised with her hands to her face as if she'd won. You wouldn't say 'i can't believe it' in a happy voice if you'd just been told your competitor won. I suspect she knows she'll be OK and wasn't concerned about not winning. As has been said many times before, she's such a star in Cowell's eyes that she will be snapped straight up.

I think Fleur knew Ben would win, but she also knows she will get signed anyway.

Totally agree with you

I agree with you. It was lovely to see two classy, dignified contestants who obviously get on well and seem genuinely happy in each others company.

I think their contracts are already on the table and they both knew, win or lose, they were getting a deal before they'd sung a note on Sunday

I'm a woman, I liked her, and didn't think she had an attitude.

A lot of people don't like confident bubbly crazy females with banter, they seem to like them to sit down shutup and cry all the time.

I remember alot of people didnt take to Alex and Cher because they had a personality and it was misinterpreted as cocky which is such a shame because the superstars you see today all have a massive personality.

There is just a certain way you have to be to win the public over.

I agree, plus females always get a harder time on reality shows, not jist XF.

I agree, Fleur looked genuinely happy for him. and always had the right attitude - no signs of airs and grace from her, only humility throughout the whole competition.

From that clip I thought she looked nervous and upset rather than angry. I think she had been told beforehand, so she could prepare herself.

Mind you I thought Simon was appalling to Ben when he talked about the wonderful runner up before mentioning the person who had actually won the thing!

It's not that , I just don't think she's that good a singer and many were fooled by the dancing , put any of her songs again but close your eyes so you don't see the performance and just listen and she really isn't that good . Her duet on Saturday seemed a complete mess as well and to be honest I think Ben beat her on every song over the weekend . I can't see if it was the confident woman thing you mention how she'd get voted as far as the final , it kind of contradicts what your saying . After judges houses she was my favourite up until thriller where I thought she'd have her breakout moment but left my utterly disappointed by her poor vocal . I couldn't watch her again without noticing her weak vocal from then on

Fleur was magnaminous in defeat and was delighted for Ben. There was never any indication of any negative attitude or acting as if she was a star at any point in the show. I suspect this is only perceived by those who clearly dislike her.

Pretty sure it was a fix factor moment. Everyone knows the winner never really gets anywhere, and are very limited, if you're the runner up then you have a bit more free way